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Forum Discussion
Moving files out of Dropbox now defaults to the 'copy' function
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'.
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
- Nate_C
Super User
Hello, what kind of device are you using? And what operating system?Desktop, Windows 11.
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Questions13, thanks for reaching out to us.
This is actually an action that's determined by your OS, since the Dropbox folder is just like any other folder on your computer.
If you quit the Dropbox app and then try the same steps, do you get the same behavior?
Let me know what you find.
Exiting (and even uninstalling) the Dropbox app does not fix the issue.
- Megan
Hey Questions13, you mentioned that uninstalling the app doesn't fix the issue.
So, if I asked you to quit the app, and while the app is still closed follow the same steps, could you let me know what happens then?
- Megan
Thanks for checking Questions13.
Since you noticed the same behavior even when our app is closed, then it might be unrelated to Dropbox.
Had it been the app causing this, then you wouldn't notice the same results when the app wasn't running.
Do you notice the same thing if you choose a file/folder within Dropbox, and then right click and choose cut instead of dragging and dropping it?
I considered that it might be independent of the Dropbox app but this literally is only happening to files in the Dropbox folder.
The cut function works normally. Likewise, if I hold Shift while dragging a file to force a 'move', it works as well.
Hi, the same issue is occurring on my PCs.
I'm using several PCs and installed Dropbox on each machines. And some machines work correctly, but the other machine doesn't work fine.
This issue is occurring on Windows11 Home edition (version 23H2). My Windows11 Pro pcs are working correctly.
Whew, I'm not the only one this is affecting!
Just as a bump, there's another user that is also experiencing this issue.
BenDBXCommunity Manager
Hi Questions13 and shin7,
I've notified our engineering team and they are investigating. I'll provide updates here and follow up with any questions we may have. Thanks for reporting this!
Regards,
Ben
Hello,
I'm using a Win11 PC. Until a few days ago, when I dragged a file from the Dropbox folder to a different local folder (note that both are on the same drive), it MOVED the file, i.e. it disappeared from the Dropbox folder. Now, when I drag a file from the Dropbox folder to a different local folder, it COPIES the file, and that's annoying for me. Is it possible to come back to the previous drag-and-drop "move" action? How? Many thanks in advance for your help
Same problem as everyone else here. It seems like sometimes the files copy instead of moving, sometimes they move. Feel free to contact me via email. Using Windows 11 Home Version 23H2 OS build 22631.3737.
I'm surprised this hasn't been fixed yet. It seems to be a problem for a lot of people.
This is happening to me as well. I need a fix! Thanks!
Windows 11
Dropbox v203.4.4857
So before on my machine when I went to move a file out of dropbox onto my desktop it would remove it from my dropbox. I liked this to keep my files organized and limit versions, they are mostly unimportant files too. Today I just noticed that selecting and dragging a file onto my desktop just copied it. I don't see a setting to change this. Did this change, can I change it back?
- Rich
Super User II
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.
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.
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.
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
Status update on this? Dropbox has to realize this is a real issue by now???
Same for me. Windows 11 23H2, Dropbox 205.4.5765
