how to move not copy

[4now]

Hi I want to move(drag) folders from one finder window to another.

From my laptop to by backup drive.

This always results it a copy of the folder being left in the original place.
which i then need to delete.

How do I move & not copy

Thanks

[emw]

Hold down the command (:apple:) key when you drag.

[bartelby]

Drag it, so it copies.
Delete the original.

[arretx]

When I use the command key, I can get only one file at a time to move. How do you select all files in a folder then MOVE them ALL to another folder.

[garretruh]

Go up a level in the folder hierarchy, and then select that folder. Then use the command key to move it.

[sushi]

Hold down the command (:apple:) key when you drag.
Definitely a nice tip. :)

[angelwatt]

When I use the command key, I can get only one file at a time to move. How do you select all files in a folder then MOVE them ALL to another folder.

Don't start holding cmd until after you start dragging the files, and don't release cmd until after you release the mouse button. Actually, you just need to make sure you're holding cmd when you release the files are their new location.

[maflynn]

Drag it, so it copies.
Delete the original.

I'm with bartelby - just seems a bit safer if I do the delete action, besides by going this route the deleted files stay in the trash until I empty it. Just in case something happened

[r.j.s]

Actually, you just need to make sure you're holding cmd when you release the files are their new location.

This.

I think the lack of Cut/Paste is one of Finder's biggest flaws. I don't always like going back and deleting files, and sometimes I forget to press Cmd.

[DoFoT9]

Definitely a nice tip. :)
love learning new things everyday :D

I'm with bartelby - just seems a bit safer if I do the delete action, besides by going this route the deleted files stay in the trash until I empty it. Just in case something happened

i agree. ensures that i dont delete something!

[maflynn]

i agree. ensures that i dont delete something!
The funny thing is there was a nasty bug in OSX at one point that if you moved files/folders from one drive to another, you could corrupt/lose the data. That has been since resolved but by copying stuff then deleting you avoid such potential issues.

[DoFoT9]

The funny thing is there was a nasty bug in OSX at one point that if you moved files/folders from one drive to another, you could corrupt/lose the data. That has been since resolved but by copying stuff then deleting you avoid such potential issues.

upon hearing that. i will NEVER use that trick that i just learnt (on my computers anyway eheh).

[r.j.s]

upon hearing that. i will NEVER use that trick that i just learnt (on my computers anyway eheh).

They fixed the bug.

[DoFoT9]

They fixed the bug.

i know. still pays to be careful. copy paste it is.

[miles01110]

Oh goodie, let's get into another debate about how Apple should "fix" the Finder so things move by default instead of copy. :rolleyes:

[MacBoobsPro]

This.

I think the lack of Cut/Paste is one of Finder's biggest flaws. I don't always like going back and deleting files, and sometimes I forget to press Cmd.

If you cut and the power goes out before pasting won't you lose what you have cut? I don't like the idea of cutting and pasting important files.

[r.j.s]

Oh goodie, let's get into another debate about how Apple should "fix" the Finder so things move by default instead of copy. :rolleyes:

I'm not saying it should change the way it handles drag-and-drop, that is fine.

I would like Cmd-X to cut files though.

[maflynn]

This.

I think the lack of Cut/Paste is one of Finder's biggest flaws. I don't always like going back and deleting files, and sometimes I forget to press Cmd.

+100 here

I agree completely, I wish the Finder would add this functionality.

If you cut and the power goes out before pasting won't you lose what you have cut? I don't like the idea of cutting and pasting important files.


No the operation is a little different, because you can cut a file in windows and then hit escape to cancel the operation.

[MacBoobsPro]

+100 here

I agree completely, I wish the Finder would add this functionality.




No the operation is a little different, because you can cut a file in windows and then hit escape to cancel the operation.

But if the power goes isnt the information lost because its on the clipboard?

Also pressing 'command' is easier and quicker than pressing 'command x' 'command v'. Its much more user friendly and intuitive. I'm not against Cut and paste but it just doesnt seem necessary to me.

[DoFoT9]

But if the power goes isnt the information lost because its on the clipboard?
good point. but low chances.

Also pressing 'command' is easier and quicker than pressing 'command x' 'command v'.
i disagree, you should see how quick i am with shortcuts ;) moving the mouse to drag n drop just isnt as fast imo.

[sushi]

love learning new things everyday :D
Yes I do.

Unfortunately, I think this is one tip that I used to know but have forgotten. :o

Glad for the reminder. :)

[yg17]

If you cut and the power goes out before pasting won't you lose what you have cut? I don't like the idea of cutting and pasting important files.

No, in Windows, if you cut a file, it's not actually deleted until it's pasted somewhere else. So if you cut a file and lose power, or go and copy something else to the clipboard, the file isn't erased.

[MacBoobsPro]

good point. but low chances.


i disagree, you should see how quick i am with shortcuts ;) moving the mouse to drag n drop just isnt as fast imo.

I use short cuts extensively as Im a graphic designer and tend to do most of my work using shortcuts (so much faster).

Using cut and paste you have to select the item, press 2 buttons, select the window you want to paste to and then press 2 more buttons.

Drag and drop: selection is part of the drag so its only one move and just hold command. Much easier in my opinion. :) If you want to drill down just hold over a folder and it will open.

[Tex-Twil]

I use PathFinder (http://cocoatech.com/) which has the cut (cmd x) option ;)

[maflynn]

I use PathFinder (http://cocoatech.com/) which has the cut (cmd x) option ;)

Oh does it, I'll have to take another look at it. I tried it back in version 2 or 3 (I forget at this point)

I found it a bit slow, hopefully there's no performance issues now.

[Tex-Twil]

Oh does it, I'll have to take another look at it. I tried it back in version 2 or 3 (I forget at this point)

I found it a bit slow, hopefully there's no performance issues now.
yep it does. According to the changelog (http://cocoatech.com/changelog) there have been several "speed improvements". I personally don't see any speed difference between PathFinder and Finder.

[cybershark]

If command key doesn't do the job:


Click main folder in hierarchy [do not click hard drive]
Right click > Get Info
Click padlock > bottom right corner of box
Type > password
Click > read and write - everyone.
Click > Gearwheel next to padlock
Click > apply to enclosed contents
Close and exit box




Now Command key should work ... Move entire folders w/o copying!

Warning: if you use this procedure on your hard drive you will have a heart attack!
... please don't click hard drive ... click only Folders!

Permissions are a pain in the rear. :apple:

Permitted "everyone" because even though I'm logged in as "admin," OSX still
proceeds to 'mother' me. This is a quick fix until I get more time some other year.