Moving and copying files by using the drag-and-drop method

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista. Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

The most common way to copy and move files and folders is by using the drag-and-drop method, which means that you select one or more files and drag them to another location. For example, you can drag a file to the Recycle Bin to delete the file, or drag a file to a folder to copy or move it to that location.

When you drag a file or folder, exactly what happens depends upon what you drag and where you drag it. Pop-up windows containing information appear when you drag a file over a destination—pay attention to these to find out what will happen when you release the mouse button. You can also refer to the following table to learn more about what happens when you drag files and folders.

If you press and hold the right mouse button while dragging, a menu appears that lets you choose a specific action, such as copying or moving.

Dragging files

Dragging folders