Windows – How to change the default drag and drop action on a folder in Windows 7

copy/pastedrag and dropwindows 7

I have a special folder which I always drag and drop many files to. How can I change the default "Copy to" action to be "Move to"?

This is what I mean:

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I know I can do it by pressing Ctrl or Shift but I want to change the default action to avoid making mistakes.

Best Answer

You can achieve this effect my mapping the folder as a separate drive, that way causing the "copy default" behaviour when dragging to that folder?

This can be done on the command line using subst:

subst <driveletter> <folder path>

Or you download and use Visual Subst.

I've tested it out (using the command line), and it does seem to work (giving the default drag-and-drop copy effect).

I haven't tried Visual Subst, but saw it mentioned online. The only advantage they mention is that it allows you to ask it to remap the drive on startup, but you can achieve this easily using the command line, by putting the command in a script and placing in the Startup folder.

EDIT for persistence:

A different/better way to achieve a persistent mapping, at least in Windows 8/10 (maybe other versions as well), is using regedit:

1) Open start menu.
2) type `regedit` and press enter.
3) Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > DosDevices
4) Add a new string value with the key "<driveletter>:" (e.g. "P:")
5) Double click on it to enter the data value "\??\<folder path>" (e.g. "\??\C:\DragFolder")
6) Might need to reboot for it to take effect.

WARNING: Always be careful with regedit. Don't change anything you don't know what does, or it could break everything.

Short Answer

To undo a file/folder operation in Windows, you can use either the Undo command in the Edit menu, or press Ctrl+Z.

Caveat

NB: There are a few things to note however. While the undo command usually undoes the last file operation, it will not always be the operation you are expecting. Sometimes the last operation does not make it into the undo buffer, making it undo a different operation from what you were expecting. For example, if there are multiple file operations happening at the same time, they are added to the undo buffer in they order that they complete, not the order in which they were initiated. Also, some operations cannot be undone like permanent deletions, those from the command-line, etc.

Recommendation

Instead of using Ctrl+Z, it is safer to use the menu command because you can see what operation Windows will undo before performing it. (Granted, you can redo the operation with Ctrl+Y, but it is easier and safer to just confirm before undoing.) Enable the status bar (View->Status bar), then when you hover the cursor over the Undo command, it will display the operation to be undone.

Screenshot of Windows Explorer with undo command results shown in status bar

Macos – OSX Drag and drop sensitivity setting

Show current drag and drop delay (from Terminal):

defaults read -g NSDragAndDropTextDelay

Set a global 0.4 second delay for drag and drop:

defaults write -g NSDragAndDropTextDelay -int 400

Set an app-specific delay of 3 seconds for iPhoto:

defaults write com.apple.iPhoto NSDragAndDropTextDelay -int 3000

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Windows 7 – How to Undo an Accidental Drag and Drop

Short Answer

Caveat

Recommendation

Macos – OSX Drag and drop sensitivity setting

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