How to Change the Default Drag-and-Drop Action in Windows 11

Some users may want to change the default drag-and-drop action in Windows 11. You can take several actions with it—you can use it to copy, move, or create new shortcuts of files.

Different users have different needs. Some people may need a specific function more than others. Changing the behavior can improve their workflows and make it easier for them to manage their work files.

Different ways to change the drag-and-drop behavior

Individual users can temporarily change the drag-and-drop outcome by using keyboard shortcuts. For a more permanent change, power users or administrators can also make edits to the Windows Registry by using the Registry Editor or creating and running a .reg file.

📌 Prerequisites:

• This guide applies to all versions of Windows 11.
• Familiarity with keyboard shortcuts and managing the Registry Editor is ideal.

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Method 1: Use keyboard shortcuts during drag and drop

📌 Use Case: This is ideal for individual users and people who prefer more flexibility with their computer’s drag-and-drop behavior.

Users can temporarily change what drag-and-drop does by using the following keyboard shortcuts:

Method 2: Use the Registry Editor

📌 Use Case: This is ideal for power users or administrators working with managed environments. This method will make permanent changes to the computer’s drag-and-drop behavior.

📌 Prerequisite: Editing the Windows Registry will require administrator access. To check if you have the necessary permissions, open Start Menu > Settings > Accounts. The word “Administrator” should be printed under the username.

1. Open the Start Menu and search for Registry Editor to open the program.
2. Navigate to this location: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*
3. Find the DefaultDropEffect value and double-click it. If you can’t locate it, follow these steps to create the value:
   • Right-click the * key, then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Name it DefaultDropEffect.
4. Change the value according to your needs.
   • 1 – Drag and drop will always copy the file to your selected location.
   • 2 – Drag and drop will always move the file to your selected location.
   • 4 – Drag and drop will always create a shortcut to the file in your selected location.
5. You can now close the Registry Editor. Restart File Explorer to apply the changes. To do that, follow these steps:
   • • Right-click on the taskbar, then click Task Manager.
     • In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
     • Click Restart task.

⚠️ Important: Always verify that you used the correct value (1, 2, 4) to ensure that you end up with the correct behavior.

💡Tip: To revert the drag-and-drop behavior to its default behavior, go to the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*, and delete the DefaultDropEffect value.

Method 3: Create a .reg file

📌 Use Case: This method is ideal for enterprise environments and will make permanent changes to the computer’s drag-and-drop behavior. You can run the .reg file in your managed devices using your preferred endpoint management tool.

📌 Prerequisite: Editing the Windows Registry will require administrator access. To check if you have the necessary permissions, open the Start Menu > Settings > Accounts. The word “Administrator” should be printed under the username.

1. Open the Start Menu and search for Notepad to open the program.
2. Type the following:
   

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*] “DefaultDropEffect”=dword:00000001

3. Change the dword value according to your needs.
   • 00000001 – Drag and drop will always copy the file to your selected location.
   • 00000002 – Drag and drop will always move the file to your selected location.
   • 00000004 – Drag and drop will always create a shortcut to the file in your selected location.
4. Click File > Save as.
5. Name it Default_DragandDrop.reg.
6. Open the drop-down menu next to Save as type, and select All files.
7. You can now close Notepad.
8. Go to where you saved the .reg file and double-click it. It will run the .reg file and automatically make edits to the Windows Registry.
9. Restart File Explorer to apply the changes. To do that, follow these steps:
   • Right-click on the taskbar > Task Manager.
   • In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
   • Click Restart task.

💡Tip: To revert the drag and drop behavior to its default behavior, go to the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*, and delete the DefaultDropEffect value.

⚠️ Things to look out for

What is the drag-and-drop function in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, different behaviors are available to users when dragging and dropping files in Windows Explorer. You can use it to move files, copy files, or create a shortcut to the files.

By default, it moves files to your intended folder. However, you can change this behavior to copy or create a shortcut. Keyboard shortcuts can temporarily change drag-and-drop outcomes, while making edits to the Windows Registry will permanently change the behavior.

Why change the default drag and drop action?

The drag-and-drop feature allows users to manage what happens to their files. They can use it to move, copy, or create a shortcut. However, they may use some functions more than others. Modifying the behavior can optimize their workflows and make things easier for them.

On the other hand, some users use all three functions regularly and may require more flexibility. In that case, learning the keyboard shortcuts may be more beneficial to them. That way, they can manage the drag-and-drop behavior on the fly and change it easily for every situation they encounter.

Optimize user workflow by changing a computer’s drag-and-drop behavior

Users can temporarily change the drag-and-drop action using keyboard shortcuts. To change it permanently, you can edit the Windows Registry using the Registry Editor or by creating and running a .reg file.

Changing drag-and-drop behavior can help users optimize their workflow. Keyboard shortcuts give users more flexibility when working with their files, and changing the behavior permanently allows them to more easily access the action they use the most.

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