Drag and Drop confirmation prompt? Accidentally moving files.

Anonymous
2011-03-25T15:44:05+00:00

Ever since upgrading to Windows 7, we have had a problem with people inadvertently moving folders by dragging and dropping when meaning to double click.  Is there a way to turn on a confirmation prompt ("are you sure you want to...") when dragging and dropping files/folders?  It seems that previous versions of Windows had this prompt, but it has since been removed.  This is happening in our office on at least a weekly basis, sometimes daily, and we have to spend time searching for the moved folder.  If MS is unable to help, is there software that we can purchase to accomplish this?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2011-03-25T16:29:55+00:00

Windows 7 made no changes: there has never been a confirmation prompt like you describe.

One workaround is to increase the distance you must move the pointer before it triggers a drag.  Under the following registry key, you'll see DragHeight and DragWidth, which define the number of pixels the mouse must move before the drag is initiated:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT\USER\Control Panel\Desktop

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-06-23T09:53:17+00:00

    Yes, I'm sure.

    It would be nice if microsoft were able to stop this drag'n'drop damage.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-08-27T22:07:50+00:00

    I totally agree with oded_904 and the original question from Carolyn!  There should be a "PROMPT" when dragging and dropping entire network folders because users don't even realize they are doing it. 

    I tried the DragHeight and DragWidth settings and it causes issues with other Drag/Drop funtions outside Explorer.  This is not a solution!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-25T21:01:47+00:00

    Hours I am searching in bing to find out a confirmation for moving files/folder in windows7.

    As you said accidently it could happen. Especially with laptops.

    So no solution!!!

    Very bad!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-08T00:11:02+00:00

    I agree with the above. I have caught myself doing it dozens of times (truly) since our computers were upgraded to Windows 7 less than three months ago. 

    Another problem with this is that you don't know where the files get dropped. Every time I suspect I've accidentally moved something, I click Edit>Undo Move. And, sure enough, something was moved without my intending to do so. Already I'm annoying my IT people to find one of the ENTIRE FOLDERS that I moved and didn't catch.

    There needs to be a fix. I'm one of the power users who understand these issues. But my staff...they're clueless as to what's happening. Microsoft, I suggest you find a work around or allow people to toggle on a verification prompt.

    The shrugging of shoulders w/ the 'Oh, well' answer is not an answer.

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