How to Use Windows 10 File Explorer to Copy & Move Files

How to Use Windows 10 File Explorer to Copy & Move Files

First, we have written many times about the lack of “Copy to” and “Move to” on the Windows 10 right-click menu. So we published a  simple remedy for that. There’s nothing we know of that makes it easier or more convenient to copy or move files from one location to another in Windows 10 than having “Copy to” and “Move to” right there on the Windows right-click menu.

And while there is nothing easier than having “Copy to” and “Move to” on your right-click menu, there is another easy way to copy and move files from one location to another using nothing but Windows File Explorer. And if you’re like most Widnows 10 users, you’ve never noticed it. That’s understandable – it’s not very obvious. 

Here’s how to copy and move files using nothing but File Explorer on Windows 10

Open File Explorer from your taskbar or just press Windows Key + E.

Open the folder where the files you want to move or copy are located. In this example, we’ve chosen one of our backup folders called “Pictures/Spotlight Wallpaper”.  We have selected some files – in this case, photos – that we are going copy to another folder. The selected pictures are highlighted, and since we’re using “checkboxes” you can see each item is checked.

Once you select the files you want to copy or move, click “Home” on the menu at the top of File Explorer. That opens the “Home ribbon” where you’ll find “Copy to” and “Move to” (see screenshot below). Click on “Copy to” or “Move to” depending on what operation you want to perform, then click on “Choose location…” near the bottom of the File Explorer window.

As soon as you click on “Choose location”, a window will open where you can select the destination folder or location. And that’s all there is to it.

Another tip:  How to keep the File Explorer ribbon open

And here’s another quick tip. Once you move or copy the files you selected, the home ribbon disappears and if you want to move or copy files you’ll have to re-open the home ribbon… but why do all that work.

You can pin File Explorer so that the Home ribbon always shows until you’re done with the current session. Here’s how to do that.

With File Explorer and the Home ribbon showing, look over to the far right edge. You’ll see a thumbtack icon. Click the thumbtack icon to pin the Home ribbon so it stays open while you’re copying & moving files using Windows 10 File Explorer.

Now you know how to move and copy files using Windows File Explorer.