The mouse is a powerful tool for selecting files, with a "drag and drop" function which is a simple and essential skill for any computer user. Most programs and computers support drag and drop. By learning these practices, you can save time when moving, copying or opening files.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Moving Files by Drag and Drop
Step 1. Turn on your computer
Specify the files you want to move to a new location. Select the new place you want to use.
Step 2. Open the folder on your computer
If you're using a Mac, open two Finder windows to access the file and the new location you want to use to locate it. If you are using a Windows computer, open both windows via the Start menu.
- If your file is on the desktop, you only need to open one window for the location you want to use to move the file.
- If you're on a Mac, once you've opened the first window, click the File menu at the top and choose an option to open a new Finder window.
- If you are using Windows, you can minimize the first window and access the Start menu again to open the second window.
Step 3. Use the mouse to resize the folder window so that they can be side by side on the computer screen
If your file is on the desktop, set the window next to the file on the desktop.
Step 4. Navigate to the folder where the file is saved
Move your cursor so that it is at the top left of all the files you want to move. Left mouse click and drag the cursor through all the files until you reach the bottom right corner.
All of your files will be highlighted in blue to indicate that they are selected and ready to be dragged
Step 5. Release your mouse
The file will still be highlighted.
Step 6. Left click on a file and hold down the button
Step 7. Drag the files into a new folder
They will be moved and make a zipper pulling sound when they are moved and stored.
- If the highlights in your file disappear at any time, you'll have to redo to drag and drop.
- If you repeat this process but drag the files to a different drive, such as an external hard drive, CD or zip drive, the files will not be moved, but will be copied.
Method 2 of 3: Selecting Files to Drag and Drop
Step 1. Notice whether your files are located sequentially or not in a folder
If they're not in order, you'll need to use the keyboard to help you select specific files before you drag and drop.
Step 2. Open two folder windows and place them side by side
Step 3. Open the folder containing the files you want to move
Step 4. Click the first file you want to move and release the mouse button
Step 5. Press the "Shift" key on Windows computers or "Command" on Mac computers
Keep this button pressed as you continue to highlight the file.
Step 6. Click the files that you want to add until you have finished highlighting all the files that you want to move
Step 7. Release the mouse and the Shift/Command key
Your file will still be highlighted in blue.
Step 8. Click on a highlighted file
Drag the file to the second folder. All selected files will be moved.
Method 3 of 3: Opening Files by Drag and Drop
Step 1. Open the program you want to use to open a file
Don't open a new document right away, as you will use the drag and drop function to do so.
Step 2. Open a window using the Finder program or the Start menu
Find your file. If the file is on the desktop, you can skip this step.
Step 3. Click the file and hold down your left mouse button
Drag the file to the icon of an open program. When the mouse is over the program, release your mouse button.
Step 4. Wait a few seconds
The program will open the file and display it on your screen. This function will not work if you try to open a file that is not compatible with the program you selected.
Tips
- Many social media and photo programs use drag and drop to save users time. If you want to upload a file, look for a box that says "drag and drop." Minimize your browser so that you can access the files in a window. Then, select the files, then drag and drop them into the upload box on the site.
- Drag and drop is the preferred way to quickly transfer songs and other information in iTunes.
