MOVING instead of COPYING under XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark M
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark M

How can I *copy* files I have found using Win Explorer's SEARCH
function from one drive to another?

On my WinXP Pro system I did a file find in Windows Explorer over my
D drive which is 120GB FAT32.

Then I selected all the files which were found by Windows Explorer
(there were about 1,000 of them) and dragged them to a folder on the
C drive which is 10 GB NTFS.

I wanted to *copy* these selected file but what happened is that I
got a *move* instead. I usually do get the *copy* operation I want
but for soem reason this time it was *move*. I can repeat this again
and again so there is no mistaking it.

However if I drag from a different 36 GB FAT32 drive then I can
choose move or copy by using SHIFT or CTRL.

However I can't find a way to copy the selected files from the 120 GB
drive. If I press CTRL to try and force a "copy" it doesn't seem to
work.

(1) What can I do to force a copy?

(2) Is there any way I can automaticaly return my files (which got
moved accidently to another drive) back to their original location?
 
Instead of left clicking and dragging, use the right button to click and
drag, then select what you want from the context message.
Ken'
 
Hi, Mark.
(1) What can I do to force a copy?
Click to expand...

Right-click, rather than left-click when you drag the files. That will pop
up a context menu from which you can choose Copy.
(2) Is there any way I can automaticaly return my files (which got
moved accidently to another drive) back to their original location?
Click to expand...

I don't know about automatically, but you can always drag'n'drop them back
to where they came from.

To quote a couple of lines from the Help and Support Center:
a.. To copy the item instead of moving it, press and hold down CTRL while
dragging.
a.. If you drag an item to another disk, it is copied, not moved. To move
the item, press and hold down SHIFT while dragging.

To read those lines - and lots more - click Start | Help and Support, then
Windows Basics. I seldom use Search, so there may be some quirks there, but
the answers probably are in the Help file. Or did I misread your question
altogether? :^{

RC
 
R. C. White said:
Hi, Mark.


Right-click, rather than left-click when you drag the files.
That will pop up a context menu from which you can choose Copy.
Click to expand...

Will try this.
I don't know about automatically, but you can always drag'n'drop
them back to where they came from.
Click to expand...

They come from hundreds of folder scattered around the 120 GB drive.
Too slow that way.

To quote a couple of lines from the Help and Support Center:
a.. To copy the item instead of moving it, press and hold down
CTRL while dragging.
a.. If you drag an item to another disk, it is copied, not
moved. To move the item, press and hold down SHIFT while
dragging.
Click to expand...

I posted that I was doing this already but it failed to work.
 
How can I *copy* files I have found using Win Explorer's SEARCH
function from one drive to another?

On my WinXP Pro system I did a file find in Windows Explorer over my
D drive which is 120GB FAT32.

Then I selected all the files which were found by Windows Explorer
(there were about 1,000 of them) and dragged them to a folder on the
C drive which is 10 GB NTFS.

I wanted to *copy* these selected file but what happened is that I
got a *move* instead. I usually do get the *copy* operation I want
but for soem reason this time it was *move*. I can repeat this again
and again so there is no mistaking it.

However if I drag from a different 36 GB FAT32 drive then I can
choose move or copy by using SHIFT or CTRL.

However I can't find a way to copy the selected files from the 120 GB
drive. If I press CTRL to try and force a "copy" it doesn't seem to
work.

(1) What can I do to force a copy?
Click to expand...

As others mentioned, right-click and choose the option. Otherwise,
holding CTRL while dragging will force a copy. Holding SHIFT will force a
move. You can always tell if it's a move or a copy by looking for a PLUS
(+) sign next to the cursor. If it's there, it's a copy. If not, it's a
move.
 
As others mentioned, right-click and choose the option. Otherwise,
holding CTRL while dragging will force a copy. Holding SHIFT will force a
move. You can always tell if it's a move or a copy by looking for a PLUS
(+) sign next to the cursor. If it's there, it's a copy. If not, it's a
move.
Click to expand...

And for completeness, Ctrl+Shift+drag forces the creation of a shortcut.
 
These two REG files will install
a new item in the contextual menu of
files and folders
Move to :
========================================================

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Move to]
@="{C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"
=============================================================

Copy to:
=============================================================
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Copier
dans]
@="{C2FBB630-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}"

=====================================================================

Just paste the above in new *.TXT files, which you will rename
Copy to.REG
and
Copy to.REG

I am not the author of those files - but I cannot remember where I got them.
 
And for completeness, Ctrl+Shift+drag forces the creation of a shortcut.
Click to expand...

Forgot about that one. When a shortcut is going to be created, you get
the little shortcut arrow next to the cursor.
 
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