Moving a downloaded zip file to Documents

chas2 · 21 Aug 2015

Love the added info-thanks again.

ThrashZone · 21 Aug 2015

Thanks it always makes for an interesting discussion :)
Lots of ways to skin a cat

severedsolo · 21 Aug 2015

UsernameIssues said:

ThrashZone,
Please help me to understand what you are saying:

> Careful with cutting files,
> If you accidentally copy something before you paste the first cut, it's gone.
Clipboard operation #1 = cut the test.zip file from Downloads folder
Clipboard operation #2 = "accidentally copy something"
The only thing that is gone is the info in the clipboard from #1.
The "cut" is cancelled and the test.zip file stays in the Downloads folder.

> Copy and paste is the most reliable
Clipboard operation #1 = "copy" the test.zip file from Downloads folder
Clipboard operation #2 = "accidentally copy something"
The only thing that is gone is the info in the clipboard from #1.
The first "copy" is cancelled and the test.zip file stays in the Downloads folder.

It seems to me that the exact same thing is "gone" in the cut/paste scenario and the copy/paste scenario.

> After confirming the files are there
> Delete the other location,
Windows does this conformation during a cut/paste operation. The original file is not deleted if the cut/paste operation fails. Also, in the specific example of moving the test.zip file from Downloads to Documents, the file itself is probably not going to be moved. Just the file's metadata is changed in the Master File Table. It took 12 minutes for me to copy/paste a VDI file. It took less than a second to cut/paste that same file.

I have seen cut/paste operations fail, and Windows deletes the original, and the "pasted" is corrupted. I have no idea how, as like you said, the file never actually moves, but i've seen it happen. I guess the metadata was corrupted or something.

UsernameIssues · 21 Aug 2015

If you are seeing corruption like that, then you risk the same corruption to the metadata for the copied file too. You would need to copy/paste, verify that the copy is good/accessible - then delete the original. That would be pretty safe, if you have the time.

I'm not attempting to argue against copy/paste/check/delete. I'm just saying that cut/paste and drag/drop are pretty much the same for the file move being discussed. (Cut/paste uses the OS clipboard. Drag/drop does not seem to use the OS clipboard.) I drag/drop dozens of times each day. I usually use "right-click drag" so that the Move option is available when dealing with network drives. I've yet to lose a file or folder - even if the network goes down during the move (which I tested just for this thread). But with Windows, I'm sure that file loss during a move happens from time to time to someone :-(

ThrashZone · 22 Aug 2015

Oh yea right click drag and drop is my favorite :)
It has Cancel on it if I drop to the wrong location

chas2 · 22 Aug 2015

"...lots of ways...": That is precisely why it is so difficult to learn these computers! TOO many ways! Thanks again for your help - great instructions and graphics.

chas2

Moving a downloaded zip file to Documents

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