move files to external disk (and not copy)

J

jbusc

macrumors member

Original poster

• Feb 16, 2007

• #1

Hi, this might be a stupid question, but...

When dragging files to an external disk (or vice versa) in the Finder, the default behavior is just to "copy" the file leaving the file on the original disk - if I want to move the file, I have to either cut-and-paste, or copy and delete the file after copying. In windows, I can bring up the context menu while dragging and have it move instead.

Is there any way to, in one step, move files from one disk to another? Or is this just a limitation of finder? Thanks!!

 

B

Blubbert

macrumors 6502

• Feb 16, 2007

• #2

Press and hold command as youre dragging and dropping, that will delete the original file, and move it.

 

gauchogolfer

macrumors 603

• Feb 17, 2007

• #3

Just for completeness, option-drag will force a copy, even if the file is on the same volume. And command-option-drag will make an alias to the file/folder.

Always good shortcuts to have at one's fingertips.

 

J

jbusc

macrumors member

Original poster

• Feb 17, 2007

• #4

Exactly, I love keyboard shortcuts 🙂

Thanks guys! I knew there was an easy "mac" way to do it 🙂

 

ferocious dog

macrumors newbie

• Jun 30, 2016

• #5

jbusc said:

Exactly, I love keyboard shortcuts 🙂

Thanks guys! I knew there was an easy "mac" way to do it 🙂

Click to expand...

What if I don't want to have to hit command every time......... is there a setting I can change?

 

satcomer

Suspended

• Jul 2, 2016

• #6

jbusc said:

Exactly, I love keyboard shortcuts 🙂

Thanks guys! I knew there was an easy "mac" way to do it 🙂

Click to expand...

Bookmark the Apple Support document Mac Keyboard Shortcuts to research it for shortcuts.

To blow you mind, if you are connected to a wireless access point just hold down the option key will click on the Finder bar to see detailed connections.