- Introduction
- Using the Explorer Window
- Changing the Explorer Window View
- Using the Ribbon
- Choosing Commands
- Opening and Viewing This PC
- Viewing and Opening Documents
- Working with Libraries
- Working with Personal Folders
- Navigating Between Folders
- Viewing the Folders List
- Changing the Explorer Layout
- Customizing the Navigation Pane
- Organizing Files by Headings
- Sorting and Grouping Files
- Searching for Files and Folders
- Saving a Search
- Changing Search Options
- Modifying the Index to Improve Searches
- Adding Properties and Tags to Files
- Creating and Renaming Files and Folders
- Copying and Moving Files and Folders
- Deleting and Restoring Files and Folders
- Changing File and Folder List Views
- Hiding Files and Folders
- Changing Folder Options
- Customizing Library Folders
- Customizing Personal Folders
- Sharing Folders or Files with Others
- Compressing Files and Folders
- Managing Files Using a CD or DVD
- Creating a Shortcut to a File or Folder
Copying and Moving Files and Folders
Sometimes you will need to move a file from one folder to another, or copy a file from one folder to another, leaving the file in the first location and placing a copy of it in the second. You can move or copy a file or folder using a variety of methods. If the file or folder and the location where you want to move it are visible in a window or on the desktop, you can simply drag the item from one location to the other. Moving a file or folder on the same disk relocates it whereas dragging it from one disk to another copies it so that it appears in both locations. When the destination folder or drive is not visible, you can use the Move to or Copy to commands or the Cut (to move), Copy, and Paste commands on the Home tab to move or copy the items.
Copy or Move a File or Folder
- In the desktop, click or tap the File Explorer button on the taskbar.
- Open the drive or folder containing the file or folder you want to copy.
- Select the files or folders you want to copy or move.
- Click or tap the Copy or Cut (to move) button on the Home tab.
- Display the destination folder where you want to copy or move the files or folder.
Click or tap the Paste button on the Home tab.
Copy or Move a File or Folder Using Drag and Drop
- In the desktop, click or tap the File Explorer button on the taskbar.
- Open the drive or folder containing the file or folder you want to copy or move.
- Select the files or folders you want to copy or move.
- In the Navigation pane, point to a folder list to display the expand and collapse arrows.
- Click or tap the arrows to display the destination folder.
Right-click or tap-hold the selected files or folders, drag to the destination folder, and then click or tap Copy Here or Move Here.