Windows – TeraCopy not being used as default copy handler

teracopywindows 7

I have TeraCopy installed on all my computers and it is set to be the default copy handler. However, since my last OS reinstall, it does not seem to want to act as the default. Seems about 80-90% of the time, when I drag and drop a file it is preferentially using the default Windows copy method. I have not noticed any pattern as to when it lets me use TeraCopy. I have an older computer that still seems to be working as expected (no idea on its Windows or TeraCopy update history).

I can still open TeraCopy manually and drop in some files then select the destination, but I want it to go automatically. I have tried disabling/enabling the default handler, as well as uninstalling and reinstalling, but it still seems to prefer the Windows version. A right-click drag and drop should offer me the TeraCopy and Windows versions of the copy/move procedures, but it is currently only showing the Windows one.

Anyone run into this before? Is there any way for me to force it into the default handler or at least on the right-click version?

Best Answer

Reinstalling the program as a "normal" installation into the Program Files directory (as opposed to a portable installation) fixed the problem for me.

Related Solutions

Windows – Changing drag & drop behaviour in Windows 7’s explorer for touch screen use

This is possible. Let's ask ourselves two questions:

What hapens when we drag and drop a file?
- An API function is called to start dragging the file.
- A window is shown while you drag.
- An API function is called when you drop the file.
- The operation is performed.
How can we modify the drag-drop behavior?
- We could hook the API function(s) and adjust the parameters/code to move instead of copy.
- But, there is an easier way: We could use a hotkey modifier while dragging...

So, by some simple scripting, we can hold the SHIFT key when you drop the file based on the window!

After some research to figure out the name of the window (hook Window Title functions with API Monitor) we can now create an AutoHotkey script that will hold the SHIFT key until after you drop the file.

LButton Down:: 
　  Send, {LButton Down}  
　  IfWinExist, ahk_class SysDragImage 
　  {
        Send, {LShift Down}
　  } 
　  return 

LButton Up::
    IfWinExist, ahk_class SysDragImage 
　  {
        Send, {LButton Up}
        Sleep, 500 ; Feel free to adjust higher/lower to improve the behavior.
        Send, {LShift Up}
　  } 
    Send, {LButton Up}
    return

Haven't really tried the above code, but I think I believe it should work.

Possible improvements:

Use AutoIt instead with a function like WinWait, so you don't have to react on the mouse.
Go for the hard stuff and write and hook the API functions, although you might need to hack a bit.

I hope the above script works or that I gave you a good start. :-)

Windows – Make Windows always copy files when dragging and dropping them

You could try the solution suggested in this answer: https://superuser.com/a/248961/71432

Alternatively, if you're not into coding, you can alter the behavior of drag-and-drop by manually holding down one of the modifier keys while dropping:

Hold down the Control key to always copy.
Hold down the Shift key to always move.
Hold down the Alt key to always make a shortcut.

Related Question