Comments on: Visual Clues when Copying or Moving Files in Vista

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:50:25 +0000

Is there a way to change the default so if you drag a file into a shortcut folder, it moves it instead of copying it? Rather than having to use shift or right-click drag?

Cheers, Dan

By: jd2066

jd2066 — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:26:04 +0000

Actually before Vista there a one visual clue. If during the drag and drop it was going to be a copy a + would appear and for a shortcut a shortcut icon would appear.
The real improvement here is that in Vista the clue says where the file will go. Helpful when dropping to a subfolder in a folder to make sure it goes in the subfolder and not the folder.
Also your “Drag file = Move File” is incorrect, when just dragging the end action is determined my certain things.
* Drag file from drive to same drive is move
* Drag file from drive to different drive is copy
* In certain cases Drag executable file is create shortcut

By: assive2007

assive2007 — Wed, 02 May 2007 02:06:59 +0000

I like the right-click one, very easy.

By: JacobHaley

JacobHaley — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:42:43 +0000

I always right-click drag files. Then I can chose what I want to do. Try it.

By: Azymn

Azymn — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 03:17:56 +0000

Shift + drag file = Move File

This is important if moving files between different hard drives or network locations, as Copy is the default action in those instances.
Also, the old combo for Create Shortcut still works too:

Ctrl + Shift + drag file = Create shortcut to file