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Forum Discussion
Dragging file -- copy vs. move
I use Dropbox to move files between Mac computers (OS 10.11 and 10.13) and Windows computers (Win7). When I drag a file from the Dropbox folder to a Windows local folder, it COPIES the file. When I...
Malbone wrote:
Why the inconsistent treatment of the same action?
Whether a file is moved or copied when dragged is controlled by your operating system. Dropbox has nothing to do with it.
I can't speak to a Mac ( Mark can comment on that ), but on Windows, a drag and drop between locations on the same drive is considered a move, and a drag and drop between locations on different drives is considered a copy. There are modifier keys that you can hold on both operating systems to change what happens when dragging files. On Windows, holding CTRL will force a copy, holding SHIFT will force a move, and holding CTRL-SHIFT will create a shortcut.
Obviously there is a way in each system to reverse the default action, but why make the user remember to do that?
Ask Microsoft and Apple. It's entirely on them.
Here's my take on this (on Mac OS)...
The Dropbox folder exisits on my computer, in my Home folder. So in the FINDER when I drag files into it from my computer it is a MOVE (moving from one location on the computer to another location). Dragging files into the Dropbox folder from a share or server is of course a COPY (copying from one computer to another).
But, when you use the DROPBOX APP, dragging from a shared server is a MOVE. This is dangerous as it is not the same as the OS, and it removes files from a remote server.
I've tried to explain this to Dropbox here, but can't get them to understand yet: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-files-folders/Copy-Move-new-app-behaviour-is-dangerously-different-to-Finder/m-p/456696#M172441
In the meantime, to help prevent my users deleting files off our servers when they drag to Dropbox I set the preference in the Dropbox App to Open folders in: Finder. That way they get the Finder integration, but without the misbehaving blue app window.
