Windows 7 - Is there a way to disable the default "copy" when you highlight items?

Have you tried "Use check boxes to select items"?

Do you use "Details" view?
You can "Sort" and "Group" based on the "Details" you have chosen.

Click on thumbnail for animation

Yes, I do use details view, but most of the time I'm selecting files based on nothing that is sortable by Windows. I had never noticed the "use check boxes to select items" before. I just switched to that option, and it appears to be exactly what I want. Now I can take my time and not have to worry about whether or not the CTRL key is pressed and what the mouse is doing. Thanks.

After using the check box method just now, I see that it has its own similar nightmare, though: you do not dare click outside the box, or everything gets unchecked, like selecting messages in Hotmail. And if, before you begin, you decide to click inside the window you are working on, which, after many years, you would probably be in the habit of doing, to activate the window, you may accidentally check a file before you begin without realizing it.

It's not perfect.
MS didn't really think that option through properly.

If you don't click inside of the main window, the check boxes stay ticked.


You can swap between the various Windows Explorer elements using "F6" (or "Shift + F6" to reverse direction):

• "Address Bar"
• "Command Bar"
• "Navigation Pane"
• "File & Folder window"
• "Column Headers" (in "Details" view)
• Editable fields in the "Details pane" (if you select a file and the file has editable details and isn't set to "Read only").

It can be difficult to see which element is active.

This is why I always select with the left mouse button but drag with the right mouse button so it always asks for confirmation of which action you'd like to perform (move or copy) before it performs it in the destination area.