Last Updated on June 14, 2026
One of the main benefits of using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on your computer is that you can use your mouse to click on things as well as drag and drop files from one folder to another. If we were stuck using commands, then it would be a lot of typing to accomplish the same tasks.
When it comes to dragging and dropping files and folders within Windows, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. If you drag a file to another location on the same drive, it will move that file. But if you were to drag a file from one drive to another, it would copy that file. It’s very important to know basic Windows file management to be a proficient computer user.
As you can see, dragging a file to another location on the same drive will move that file. So now that you know the default drag and drop actions in Windows, you may have the need to change them. You may find yourself moving a file when you meant to copy it. Maybe you would rather have the file copied when dragged to another location on the same drive rather than moved. In this article, we will be showing you how to change the default drag and drop action in Windows.
But one trick you may not know about is that you can drag files and folders with your right mouse button. When you let go, you will have the option to copy or move the file or folder. This way you can choose the exact one you need.
Editing the Windows Registry for Drag and Drop
1. Open the Registry Editor Tool
To change the default drag and drop action in Windows, we will be performing a simple registry edit. To open the Windows Registry Editor, you can type regedit in the taskbar search box. Click the application icon to launch the tool.
2. Navigate to the First Registry Key
Once you have the Registry Editor open, you will need to create a new 32-Bit DWORD value in two different places. For the first one you will need to navigate to the correct root folder. You can also copy the text below and paste it directly into the address bar of the Registry Editor.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*
3. Create the DefaultDropEffect Value
Then you will need to right click in a blank area on the right side of the window. Select New and choose the 32-bit DWORD value option from the context menu. Name this newly created value DefaultDropEffect and press enter.
4. Set Your Desired Drag Action Data
Then you will need to double click on DefaultDropEffect to open the properties box. You must change its value data to a specific number depending on your ultimate goal. Type the number 0 to take no action at all. Type the number 1 to always copy the file or folder. Type the number 2 to always move the file or folder. Type the number 4 to create a shortcut to the file or folder.
5. Navigate to the Second Registry Key
Next, you will need to navigate to the second location to lock in this system change. Paste the following path into the address bar at the top of the window. Press enter to jump straight to the correct folder.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects
6. Create the Second DefaultDropEffect Value
From here you will need to create another brand new 32-bit DWORD value. Right click the empty space and select the correct option. Name this specific entry DefaultDropEffect just like you did in the previous folder.
7. Match Your Previous Value Data
Next, double click on DefaultDropEffect to open the edit dialog box. Change its value to match the exact same number you used for the previous step. Use 0 for no action, 1 for copy, 2 for move, or 4 for a shortcut.
Reverting Changes and Safety Warnings
1. Test Your New Drag and Drop Settings
After you make these registry changes, your default drag and drop option will be instantly changed. Test this out by dragging a file to your desktop. If you would like to change it to a different action later, simply go back to the two same keys. Choose a different number for the value data.
2. Delete the Values to Restore Defaults
You might decide you hate this new configuration. You can easily delete the DefaultDropEffect DWORD values from both registry keys entirely. This action changes things back to their original factory defaults.
3. Heed the Registry Warning
Just be aware that editing the registry can cause your computer to not run correctly or not at all. Be extremely careful when making these kinds of changes. You do not want to end up having to do something drastic like reinstalling Windows!
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