Moving files out of Dropbox now defaults to the 'copy' function

[Questions13]

Starting sometime this week, whenever I try to move a file out of my Dropbox to another location on the same drive, it will default to 'copy' and leave the original still in Dropbox. This duplication now requires that I manually delete the file from my Dropbox if I want to complete the action of relocating a file.

However, if I drag a file into my Dropbox from anywhere on the same drive, it will behave normally and 'move' the file without duplication. Moving files within folders in Dropbox also retains the default 'move' function.

What is causing this bizarre 'copy' behavior and how do I get rid of it? I want the default drag behavior, within the same drive, to be 'move'.

[Rich]

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@Yuikol wrote:

... when I went to move a file out of dropbox onto my desktop it would remove it from my dropbox. ... Today ... dragging a file onto my desktop just copied it.

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This process is controlled by your operating system; not Dropbox. On your computer, Dropbox is just a folder like any other, and behaves as any other folder.

[Yuikol]

Downloads folder, documents folder, etc. are acting correctly. They move the file, not copy it. Only Dropbox is acting differently now. I'm not finding any settings related to this when I look in the Windows Setting app or in the file explorer options. 

Just seeing this now. I can "move" a file into Dropbox without copying it, but taking it out makes a copy.

[Resting Book Face]

I've noticed in the past week that whenever I move a file into or out of Dropbox, it leaves a copy on my computer or in Dropbox. It used to just move the file, not copy it. I have to manually remove the copied file so that I don't have to worry about version control. Anyone else having this issue and/or know how to turn it off?

[BenDBX]

Hi Everybody,

I wanted to let everyone know that we are still actively investigating. I have no news at the moment, but we're still looking into it, and I'll provide an update here when I have more information to share!

Thanks,

Ben

[benv]

I'm having the same issue.  Moving from desktop to other folders on the same drive results in a copy.  Original file remains on the desktop.

[Michael S.189]

Same for me. Windows 11 23H2, Dropbox 205.4.5765

[jstrmac]

Status update on this?  Dropbox has to realize this is a real issue by now???

[Kenzoll]

Hello, same issue and it has been happening recently. It makes a whole process really inconvenient. I open Dropbox folder (via app) on my laptop and drag files to the desktop folder - it makes copies and saves originals in Dropbox Camera Uploads. Windows 11 Home.  THANK YOU!

[OSHBOY]

Any update on this? - It is such a pain!

[BenDBX · Accepted solution]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for your patience while we looked into this. This change in behavior was the result of a change by Microsoft. Dragging a folder out of a root sync folder now defaults to the copy function on Windows 11. This change is not limited to Dropbox, but any root sync folder.

As a workaround, shift+click and drag will allow the expected cut + paste or "move folder" functionality.

Regards,

Ben