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
    2013-01-15T20:20:41+00:00

    In Windows 7 under Mouse settings I checked the box "Turn on ClickLock." This causes a box to pop up "Move to folder name" and the user will have to click a folder to move it or not. I will change this on several computers to see if this helps or hinders users.

    Gurulan, did your testing prove successful?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-31T00:55:21+00:00

    In Windows 7 under Mouse settings I checked the box "Turn on ClickLock." This causes a box to pop up "Move to folder name" and the user will have to click a folder to move it or not. I will change this on several computers to see if this helps or hinders users.

    I thought for a bit that this was a great solution - until I tried to do something else in Win7. This works for accidental drag and drop of folders while moving mouse over folders and accidentally clicking (unless accidentally clicking twice in the same dragging motion I suppose). But it messes with clicking in almost every other usage as well, so is unusable as a solution because the cure is worse than the problem. Thanks for the answer though.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-14T21:25:50+00:00

    it's because the windows OS is a total piece of ****!!!!! made by idiots for idiots. can't wait to get my workplace windows free. and if you actually use windows at home you are retarded. buy a MAC and you will be free!!!!!

    Seriously??? If you hate MS so much why are skulking about on a MS forum?  Go and be w\ your MAC in peace & keep your useless, negative comments to yourself!

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