How to prevent Finder to copy

NielsJoormann · NielsJoormann #1 (**permalink**)

12-31-2010, 08:38 AM

Hello,
I was re-organizing my files in Finder the other day. All went fine, except that when I dragged files from one folder to the other, the progress bars shows "COPYING ... files to ..."
Some of the folders my files were intended to go to, also had shortcuts to them in the Location-bar in Finder-windows.
Is it because of the shortcuts that Finder wants to copy files there instead of moving them? And, if so, how can I prevent Finder to make copies of everything and let it just move (or cut-and-paste) the files?

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

12-31-2010, 09:44 AM

regular old drag and drop
within the same volume - moves the file
to a different volume - copies the file

to copy a file within the same volume - hold down the option key while dragging
to move a file to a different volume - hold down the command key while dragging

toMACsh · toMACsh #3 (**permalink**)

12-31-2010, 05:58 PM

... and there's no actual cut and paste of files in Finder.

chas_m · chas_m #4 (**permalink**)

01-01-2011, 09:43 PM

There's COPY and paste in Finder, but not CUT and paste. This is a security measure to prevent scrambled or lost data if power goes out or glitches happen during the operation.

Thanks, Apple!

cwa107 · cwa107 #5 (**permalink**)

01-01-2011, 09:44 PM

Another option is to use a third party tool like FileCutter. Personally, I prefer having the option to cut and paste on occasion, despite Apple's good intentions.

ovbg · ovbg #6 (**permalink**)

01-02-2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas_m

There's COPY and paste in Finder, but not CUT and paste. This is a security measure to prevent scrambled or lost data if power goes out or glitches happen during the operation.

Thanks, Apple!

Interesting if that is the real reason, as there is a simple solution. All Apple had to do was not cut the actual file, until it is actually copied ;O) Windows does it this way I believe. When you cut, the file becomes ghosted and only is removed when the paste completes. That way, if there is a power failure one doesn't loose the original file.

Don't worry, I love my Mac, but I have yet to read a reasonable reason why cut and paste exists in other applications, but not in finder.

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #7 (**permalink**)

01-02-2011, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovbg

All Apple had to do was not cut the actual file, until it is actually copied

Thats what happens when you "move" the file (hold cmd when dropping it)

- Simon

ovbg · ovbg #8 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzard2010

Thats what happens when you "move" the file (hold cmd when dropping it)

- Simon

There you go ;O) Pretty easy then. It's a pity that Apple didn't include this option.

MacInWin · MacInWin #9 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovbg

There you go ;O) Pretty easy then. It's a pity that Apple didn't include this option.

??? But they did include the option. It's how the OS works.

toMACsh · toMACsh #10 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 01:22 PM

If I'm not mistaken, it wasn't always possible to do cut and paste in Windows Explorer. Anybody know when that became available? Most people seem to think it's always been around, but, you know, WE wasn't around at one time.

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #11 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 01:29 PM

Source from Wikipedia... so how true I don't know...

Apple Computer widely popularized the computer-based cut-and-paste paradigm through the Lisa (1981) and Macintosh (1984) operating systems and applications. Apple mapped the functionalities to key-combinations consisting of the Command key (a special modifier key) held down while typing the letters X (for cut), C (for copy), and V (for paste), choosing a handful of keyboard sequences to control basic editing operations. The keys involved all cluster together at the left end of the bottom row of the standard QWERTY keyboard, and each key is combined with a special modifier key to perform the desired operation:
Z to undo
X to cut
C to copy
V to paste
CUA (for OS/2) also uses combinations of the Insert, Del, Shift and Control keys. Early versions of Windows used the IBM standard. Microsoft later adopted the Apple style key-combinations with the introduction of Windows, choosing the control key as their modifier key which had previously been reserved for sending control characters.

- Simon

technologist · technologist #12 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toMACsh

If I'm not mistaken, it wasn't always possible to do cut and paste in Windows Explorer. Anybody know when that became available? Most people seem to think it's always been around, but, you know, WE wasn't around at one time.

Most people have only been using computers for ten or fifteen years.

To them, Windows is as much a part of a computer as a keyboard.

toMACsh · toMACsh #13 (**permalink**)

01-04-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzard2010

Microsoft later adopted the Apple style key-combinations with the introduction of Windows,

So when was that, I wonder...

Quote:

Originally Posted by technologist

Most people have only been using computers for ten or fifteen years.

Yeah, that's what I mean. They don't know any better.

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #14 (**permalink**)

01-05-2011, 01:26 PM

I would like to say Windows 3.x but could be later like Win95

- Simon

ovbg · ovbg #15 (**permalink**)

01-06-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakerich

??? But they did include the option. It's how the OS works.

I am referring to Finder. Yes, cut and paste is everywhere else which is great, but missing in Finder.

NielsJoormann #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2010 Posts: 8	12-31-2010, 08:38 AM Hello, I was re-organizing my files in Finder the other day. All went fine, except that when I dragged files from one folder to the other, the progress bars shows "COPYING ... files to ..." Some of the folders my files were intended to go to, also had shortcuts to them in the Location-bar in Finder-windows. Is it because of the shortcuts that Finder wants to copy files there instead of moving them? And, if so, how can I prevent Finder to make copies of everything and let it just move (or cut-and-paste) the files? Last edited by NielsJoormann; 12-31-2010 at 09:09 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,796 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	12-31-2010, 09:44 AM regular old drag and drop within the same volume - moves the file to a different volume - copies the file to copy a file within the same volume - hold down the option key while dragging to move a file to a different volume - hold down the command key while dragging I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,696 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	01-01-2011, 09:43 PM There's COPY and paste in Finder, but not CUT and paste. This is a security measure to prevent scrambled or lost data if power goes out or glitches happen during the operation. Thanks, Apple! Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

cwa107 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,917 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	01-01-2011, 09:44 PM Another option is to use a third party tool like FileCutter. Personally, I prefer having the option to cut and paste on occasion, despite Apple's good intentions. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

Buzzard2010 #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,532 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	01-04-2011, 01:29 PM Source from Wikipedia... so how true I don't know... Apple Computer widely popularized the computer-based cut-and-paste paradigm through the Lisa (1981) and Macintosh (1984) operating systems and applications. Apple mapped the functionalities to key-combinations consisting of the Command key (a special modifier key) held down while typing the letters X (for cut), C (for copy), and V (for paste), choosing a handful of keyboard sequences to control basic editing operations. The keys involved all cluster together at the left end of the bottom row of the standard QWERTY keyboard, and each key is combined with a special modifier key to perform the desired operation: Z to undo X to cut C to copy V to paste CUA (for OS/2) also uses combinations of the Insert, Del, Shift and Control keys. Early versions of Windows used the IBM standard. Microsoft later adopted the Apple style key-combinations with the introduction of Windows, choosing the control key as their modifier key which had previously been reserved for sending control characters. - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

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toMACsh #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 30, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,805 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core 2 Duo	01-04-2011, 01:22 PM If I'm not mistaken, it wasn't always possible to do cut and paste in Windows Explorer. Anybody know when that became available? Most people seem to think it's always been around, but, you know, WE wasn't around at one time.
	QUOTE Thanks

Buzzard2010 #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,532 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	01-05-2011, 01:26 PM I would like to say Windows 3.x but could be later like Win95 - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

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