I Need Files to Move and Not Copy


W

win9598xp7

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3:42 PM
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OS
Windows 11
On Windows 11, if I move a file/folder from one location to another (on the same drive), it just moves the file. But if I search a folder for a list of file types, then "Select All" and drag them from the search results window, it copies them instead of moving them (even if it's on the same drive).

Not sure why this is happening, as I haven't tweaked any of the system defaults regarding copying/moving files. Anyone know why this is occurring when trying to move files found from the Windows 11 search bar in a folder? I just want everything to move on the between folders on the same drive and not duplicate.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
did you try pressing the shift key
 

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Something is different on your machine as I copied what you did and the files were moved. I didn't get the option to copy. No help towards solving it but it seems it should work as you expect.
 

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Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655Ryzen 5 760032 Gb DDR5 6000Hz Corsair VengeanceSapphire Pulse RX 7600
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Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
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Home built
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Ryzen 5 7600
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www.elevenforum.com

Change Default Drag and Drop Action in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the default drag and drop action to always copy, move, or create shortcut for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. When you drag and drop files and folders in Windows, they will get moved or copied by default based on the source and destination...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
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    Sin-built 2013
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    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655 (Wifes)
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    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - Type 82YL
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    …still on a horse.


    Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
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    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
Is there any chance that those are links? If you drag items from Quick Access, it will always copy instead of move. Could that be happening?
 

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Windows 10/11
OS
Windows 10/11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
UPDATE:

Strangely enough, now I can't re-create this issue. I created a folder with several different file types, and now they all move by default. I suppose it's possible there were some archives included in the original search (thus trigging copy instead of move), but the behavior is no longer happening. Weird...

I did take a look at this link, and it applies changes by adding a "DefaultDropEffect" dword entry to both HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\* and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects. I just checked my registry, and I do not have any "DefaultDropEffect" entry in either of those locations (and I've not changed anything yet).

Can I assume that is the default setting/behavior for Windows 11 already?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
I do not have any "DefaultDropEffect" entry...Can I assume that is the default setting/behavior for Windows 11 already?
Click to expand...

yes.

because the default .reg file in the tutorial removes with =-

option 5
Restore Default Drag and Drop Action

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*]
"DefaultDropEffect"=-

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects]
"DefaultDropEffect"=-
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win7,Win11i7-97002x16gb 3600mhz
    OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-9700
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x16gb 3600mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    win7,win11i5-84002x8gb 3200
    Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
One other thing to try that works is when using the mouse to copy/move instead of using the left mouse button use the right mouse button. With the right mouse button a dialog with pop up asking whether you want to move or copy.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 7/10/11
OS
Win 7/10/11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Other Info
I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
Thanks all for the info and confirming. I guess this was just a weird quirk, or something else was getting moved from a different location or archive that was triggering it (since Windows is already set to default behavior and I can't recreate it). So I'll assume that was just something weird about what I was doing in that once instance. Thanks all!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
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