Check out Traditional Street and Architectural Photography section of our forum.
Drag & Drop problem (computer)
Jul 5, 2021 12:42:32 #
gvarner wrote:
If you’re using drag and drop to copy something, I don’t understand how you can say you lost files. You still have the originals. Copy doesn’t change that. And when you say directory, do you mean folder?
In Windows, drag and drop defaults to move if the target folder (directory) is the same as the source folder. It defaults to copy if the target folder is different.
Using the right mouse button allows you to choose copy or move for either case.
Jul 5, 2021 12:55:39 #
Bayou wrote:
I think drag and drop is poor practice. It's too easy to accidentally drop the clipboard contents into an unintended location, and create a real mess. It's better to cut, copy, and paste with either the right click menu, or the keyboard commands...much safer.
Tell that to my cat. She drags and drops mice into the house all the time.
Jul 5, 2021 12:59:10 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I usually copy the files first. When they have been successfully copied, I delete them from the original location.
Smart move!
Check out Drone Video and Photography Forum section of our forum.
Jul 5, 2021 13:19:56 #
therwol
Loc: USA
gvarner wrote:
If you’re using drag and drop to copy something, I don’t understand how you can say you lost files. You still have the originals. Copy doesn’t change that. And when you say directory, do you mean folder?
Drag and drop doesn't copy files. It moves them. Let's say you have your things organized into 20 folders in one directory, examples being tax files, photos, videos, downloaded manuals on your equipment, real estate documents and so on. You drag relevant files into those folders to keep them up to date, but if you miss, the file or files end up in the wrong place. Depending on how it's set up, they could even end up in a sub folder somewhere. This has happened to me too many times, so I now cut or copy and paste. If your mouse is doing this to you, then it has to be figured out.
Jul 5, 2021 13:50:25 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
srt101fan wrote:
Sorry, I've been sloppy in my wording. My difficulty is with moving files. Too often the drag & drop process drops them in an unintended location. So they're gone from the original location. I know they're not lost (that's why I put "lose" in quotation marks").
One thing you might consider is to open the target folder first and then drop or paste the files into the empty folder. I usually just highlight the target folder for the drop/paste but that might not be working well for you.
Jul 5, 2021 14:34:12 #
therwol wrote:
Drag and drop doesn't copy files. It moves them. ... (show quote)
It depends on the source and target drives.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-703044-3.html#12370348
Jul 5, 2021 15:11:13 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
Bayou wrote:
I think drag and drop is poor practice. It's too easy to accidentally drop the clipboard contents into an unintended location, and create a real mess. It's better to cut, copy, and paste with either the right click menu, or the keyboard commands...much safer.
Drag and drop as stated above. Cut copy and paste be very careful because if you cut and something goes wrong you can lose it. After losing a few things after cutting them but during paste I now only copy first, paste then go back and delete the copied file. Nothing worse than downloading a large file then losing it and having to start over. Better to paste, then verify the file is in the right place and works then delete the original (remembering to clear the recycle box).
Jul 5, 2021 15:19:55 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
srt101fan wrote:
Thanks, chrissybabe. USB mouse, no battery. Poking around the web there were some references to Windows possibly causing this problem. You all seem to think it's a mouse issue and I'm going with that. I think I'll buy a new mouse, maybe Logitech M535. Never messed with a Bluetooth device, but I guess I'll learn!
I use an M585 on my lounge (media) PC. Battery seems to last a year or more. It also has a switch to allow it to be used on two different PCs (which I do).
Jul 5, 2021 15:24:36 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
therwol wrote:
Drag and drop doesn't copy files. It moves them. ... (show quote)
Can’t remember if it’s the Alt or the Cntrl key that allows a drop and copy instead of a move. It’s a keyboard shortcut.
Jul 5, 2021 15:27:56 #
gvarner wrote:
Can’t remember if it’s the Alt or the Cntrl key that allows a drop and copy instead of a move. It’s a keyboard shortcut.
Assuming the drive is the same for source and target
Alt drag creates a link to the source file
Ctrl drag creates a copy
But using the right mouse button instead of the left gives you both choices.
Jul 5, 2021 15:32:31 #
TheShoe
Loc: Lacey, WA
You could try going in to Mouse Settings and check the box for "Turn on ClickLock". That will enable you to drag without having to hold down the mouse button.
Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.
Jul 5, 2021 15:35:52 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
srt101fan wrote:
Dell laptop running Win 10 with optical mouse.
My drag and drop function for moving files has become erratic. Sometimes it drops a file somewhere before I get to the intended location and before I release the mouse button. Have tried the mouse with different USB ports. Don't have another mouse to test. Googled but didn't find much I could work with and/or understand.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any helpful suggestions?
Thanks!
My drag and drop function for moving files has become erratic. Sometimes it drops a file somewhere before I get to the intended location and before I release the mouse button. Have tried the mouse with different USB ports. Don't have another mouse to test. Googled but didn't find much I could work with and/or understand.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any helpful suggestions?
Thanks!
Thanks to all responders. Your replies just fixed my mouse problem.
Jul 5, 2021 20:30:29 #
I had a similar problem.... Removed the mouse ball, cleaned the ball and internal contact points, reassembled and it works fine.. Hope this helps
Jul 5, 2021 21:00:31 #
Dean Schepis wrote:
I had a similar problem.... Removed the mouse ball, cleaned the ball and internal contact points, reassembled and it works fine.. Hope this helps
I remember doing that with an earlier mouse. But this one is an optical mouse and I don't think there are any parts to clean..
Jul 5, 2021 21:20:52 #
chrissybabe
Loc: New Zealand
srt101fan wrote:
I remember doing that with an earlier mouse. But this one is an optical mouse and I don't think there are any parts to clean..
Well there are actually. Unlikely to affect your problem but it is possible to clean the lens that the laser shines through. Sometimes this can collect a film which picks up fine dust and eventually blocks the light shining through. I think that you may have a faulty switch on the left hand mouse button. The very small clicky switches can be replaced if you can find a source of them. They are used in all sorts of places so you should be able to find one somewhere. Now here's a thought - somewhere in the software it is possible to reverse the left and right buttons (presumably for a left handed person ?). If you can find this, reverse the usage, and see if the problem goes away. That will most definitely tell you if it is the switch button. It will feel most peculiar swapping sides but at least tell you something.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Commercial and Industrial Photography section of our forum.