Drag-and-Drop in the File Manager

You can use drag-and-drop to perform several tasks in the file manager. When you drag-and-drop, the mouse pointer provides feedback about the task that you perform. Table 6-7 describes the tasks that you can perform with drag-and-drop. The table also shows the mouse pointers that appear when you drag-and-drop.

Table 6-7 Drag-and-Drop in the File Manager
Task Action Mouse Pointer
Move an item Drag the item to the new location.
Copy an item Grab the item, then press-and-hold Ctrl. Drag the item to the location where you want the copy to reside.
Create a symbolic link to an item Grab the item, then press-and-hold Ctrl+Shift. Drag the item to the location where you want the symbolic link to reside.
Ask what to do with the item you drag

Grab the item, then press-and-hold Alt. You may also use the middle mouse button to perform the same operation. Drag the item to the location where you want the item to reside. Release the mouse button. A popup menu appears. Choose one of the following items from the popup menu:

  • Move here

    Moves the item to the location.

  • Copy here

    Copies the item to the location.

  • Link here

    Creates a symbolic link to the item at the location.

  • Set as Background

    If the item is an image, sets the image to be the background. You can use this command to set the background of the desktop, the side pane or the view pane.

  • Cancel

    Cancels the drag-and-drop operation.
Selecting Files and FoldersMoving a File or Folder