Move and copy files using drag and drop
A common way to move or copy a file or folder is to select it and drag it to another location. For example, you can drag a file to the Recycle Bin to delete the file, or to a folder to copy or move it to that location.
How to drag files
What happens when you drag and drop a file depends on where you drag it. The following table describes what happens when you drag and drop a file to different locations.
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When you drag a file to this location
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This is what happens
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A folder on same drive
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The file is moved to the destination folder.
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A folder on a different drive
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The file is copied to the destination folder.
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A library on your computer (such as the Documents library)
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If the library's main folder (or default save location) is on the same drive, the file will be moved. If it's on a different drive, it will be copied.
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Tips
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Pay attention to pop-up messages that appear when dragging—you can use these to find out what will happen when you release the mouse button.
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If you press and hold the right mouse button while dragging, a menu appears that lets you choose a specific action, such as copying or moving.
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To learn other ways to copy files, see Copy and paste a file.
