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how to move not copy

4

4now

macrumors regular
Original poster
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
 
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.
 
arretx said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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bartelby said:
Drag it, so it copies.
Delete the original.
Click to expand...

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

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 said:
i agree. ensures that i dont delete something!
Click to expand...
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.
 
maflynn said:
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.
Click to expand...

upon hearing that. i will NEVER use that trick that i just learnt (on my computers anyway eheh).
 
Oh goodie, let's get into another debate about how Apple should "fix" the Finder so things move by default instead of copy. 🙄
 
r.j.s said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
miles01110 said:
Oh goodie, let's get into another debate about how Apple should "fix" the Finder so things move by default instead of copy. 🙄
Click to expand...

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.
 
r.j.s said:
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.
Click to expand...

+100 here

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

MacBoobsPro said:
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.
Click to expand...


No the operation is a little different, because you can cut a file in windows and then hit escape to cancel the operation.
 
maflynn said:
+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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
MacBoobsPro said:
But if the power goes isnt the information lost because its on the clipboard?
Click to expand...
good point. but low chances.

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

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.
 
DoFoT9 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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