Hello,
When I want to move a file which is on my desktop to another directory (drag & drop), it makes a copy instead of moving the file.
I would like the file to be moved completely.
I haven’t found anything about this in the “preferences”. I guess it’s from a recent update because I didn’t have this issue when I’ve installed Ubuntu months ago.
I use Ubuntu 24.04.2 but I’m not sure about the environment. I think it’s the one by default.
Thanks for your help!
I’m using Ubuntu Mate 24.04.2 and I can drag and drop files without them being a copy.Not sure why it wouldn’t work for you other than it may be specific to the Gnome desktop.
Consequently I can also right click on a file cut and then paste it where I want it.I would imagine you should be able to do the same,understandably this isn’t what you’re looking to do but it will accomplish what you want until a mind smarter than mine comes along and offers the solution you’re looking for.
From Desktop or from home/$USER/Desktop folder?
If the destination directory is on same partition file is moved, if on a different partition file is copied.
My file is in the folder “home/$USER/Desktop” and I want to move it to “home/$USER/Documents” and it makes a copy when I drag it into the window.
I’ve never had this problem before, it was fine.
Using this configuration to test
Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS
GNOME Version 46
Kernel Version
Linux 6.11.0-24-generic
Gnome is the usual default DE used
You can check your version using “about” from the show apps button.
In order to move a file within a directory to another
Instead of attempting to grab the file with the mouse and dropping it into the desired directory as one would in windows or other OS’s. Try doing this, it works on my end whereas using the drag and drop method doesn’t. It achieves the same desire outcome just uses a different method to do the desired task
select the source file from opening the directory source by using the files folder on your desktop in your case select the directory desktop once open.
then right click on the file or highlighting the desired files if it’s more than 1 file (again right click the highlighted files) with the mouse then select “move to” .
From the drop down One selects the destination for the file.
Understand this because of the default Gnome desktop environment. If you want to just drag and drop without using the above method . Maybe changing the DE on your system is what you desire.
I have the Gnome 46 version.
Thanks for the tip, I wasn’t aware of it, though it’s a bit slower. A couple of months ago, I didn’t have this issue, I could just drag & drop.
LOL
to be honest when I first read your post /request I literally had to fire up a system to check. I suspect it was related to a update in Gnome but not 100% sure of that
Don’t forget you use the mouse to highlight the desired copied files/folders and use key combo [Ctrl +C] to copy and [Ctrl+X] to move. Then [Ctrl+V] to paste your copy or move.
yep, thanks for the extra help / input on how to accomplish the task. good pointer for the OP
I’m on Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS with GNOME 46. But perhaps this is an issue with Files (my version is 46.2).
Drag & drop did copy the file on my setup, too. I tried pressing and holding <Shift> while doing the drag & drop and the file was moved instead. Strangely I do not need to press shift for further drag & drop actions to perform the move action. I now need to press and hold <Ctrl> to perform a copy action.
I read that Files changes behavior dependent on location of the target device (move if destination is on same device, otherwise copy) (I didn’t test this yet) but this doesn’t (maybe didn’t) match my systems behavior.