60 pts.
 Windows explorer: Moving files between folders does not work correctly
I have a folder called AAA which has many files. I wanted to better organize the files for ease of access. I created a sub folder under AAA, called A1. I tried to move a file using drag & drop from AAA to A1 but it left the original file in AAA. Both had a correctly described file & there were no 'shortcut' file types I then deleted the file in AAA thinking that it had copied rather than moved, but the one in A1 disappeared too. I restored it from the recycle bin & it restored to both folders. I then created a free standing folder called BBB & moved a file with drag & drop to BBB. This worked correctly. I then moved the file from BBB to A1. This moved the file to A1 correctly but it also put it in AAA & so the circle continued. I don't recollect moving files before in explorer but I cant be certain. Any thoughts anyone 'cause I'm clean out ! Thanks

Software/Hardware used:
Windows 7. HP laptop
ASKED: January 22, 2013  11:15 AM
UPDATED: January 22, 2013  2:37 PM

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When you drag/drop, do you use the right or left mouse button? If you use left-button and select ‘Move’, does it work? — Tom

 107,915 pts.

 

Hi Tom.  Originally I used the left button but I have just tried it again using the right & selecting ‘move’.  Same result I’m afraid.  Carol

 60 pts.

 

Yow… sorry. I forgot how to tell ‘left’ from ‘right’ in that comment. Anyway, I wanted to ensure that a more explicit request would or wouldn’t give explicit results. It’s narrowed down a little now. We’ll see if it catches someone’s attention, or maybe some research can track it down. — Tom

 107,915 pts.

 

Hi Tom.  I just tried this on photos, drag & drop to move from 1 folder to another.  It works just fine !!  Maybe its something to do with the file type.  Originally I tried PDFs, excell & word – none of these worked but a picture file did.  Carol

 60 pts.

 

Does cut-and-paste work to move files? Generate some test files, verify that they show the behavior that you’re asking about, then test cut-and-paste to see if they move successfully. — Tom

 107,915 pts.

 

Just done what you asked & the result was just the same, the file never moved from the source folder.  BUT  While I was doing the first drag & drop I watched very carefully & what happened was that while I was doing the drag, it did say the word ‘move’, then the original file dissapeared from the source.  Result I thought !!  Then, without me touching anything, 7 second later, it re-appeared.  I have applied all the Windows update that are available so that can’t be the problem.

 60 pts.

 

Hi again.  I have just tried drag & drop on another folder structure within the same ‘my documents’ library.  I used a word file & it worked fine.  This leads me to think that it’s something to do with this actual folder/files & thier properties.  Does this shed any light on the problem.  Thanks for your ongoing & very kind help – Carol

 60 pts.

 

…within the same ‘my documents’ library.
 
First, I’m not a Windows expert. No other comments showed up, so I wanted to ensure that underlying factors were covered. But this comment might touch on a clue.
 
Windows 7 (or Vista) “libraries” seem to have characteristics that differentiate them from regular directories. If you create a directory outside of My Documents and try to ‘Move’ to it, does the behavior change?
 
Tom

 107,915 pts.

 

And note that ‘cut and paste’ is different from ‘drag and drop’. I asked about that to learn if those two sequences behaved differently.
 
Tom

 107,915 pts.

 

Hi Tom.  My original folder was called CCS with subfolders called CCS Logos & CCS Originals,  I created a new folder structure within ‘my documents’ using CCS1 for the folder & CCSA & CCSB for the subfolders.  I copied the files there.  I did the drag & drop & it was perfect.  I deleted the original folders & started to change the names of the new subfolders to what I wanted them to be.  The Subfolders changed to CCS Logos & CCS Originals perfectly, but, – & I did this twice because I didnt believe it the first time – when I changed the name of CCS1 back to CCS, the whole contents of the folder changed before my eyes.  I changed it back to CCS1 & the files came back correctly.  I did it again with the same result.  I have now renamed the folder CCS Main & will keep it like that.  I don’t think that the problem I had ( & still have) can be solved without a lot of hard work & an expert – which I am  most certainly not.  I have created a workaround & will stick with it but I find the whole scenario truly bizzarre.  Thanks for all your help.  There is still a gremlin in my laptop but for now, I have it identified & cornered & there I intend it to stay !!  Thanks again – Carol

 60 pts.