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Need to move files on Mac without copying

I need to be able to move files across locations without having to drag or copy them. For instance, I would like to move files from the Desktop or Download folder to the relevant folder without dragging them and without making a copy of them. I've tried the suggestion below, but it keeps the old copy in place. (Its keyboard shortcut, Command-Option-V, augments the usual Paste shortcut with Option.) Compared to dragging an item to a new position when the target window isn't open, this is far easier. Many thanks.

Best Answered by

Amanda Wong

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Yes, you can move files on Mac without copying and dragging. 

What you want is to move files on Mac, changing the file's locations on your Mac, instead of making a copy, there are some alternative ways you can choose:

Method 1. Run the mv command in Terminal. You need to launch the Terminal application from the macOS Utilities folder, then type the command mv file_path destination_folder_path, and press Enter.

Method 2. Use the right-click enhancer iBoysoft MagicMenu. It adds a Move To option to the Finder context menu, right-click the target item, choose Move To, and choose a location on Mac, it will move the selected item to a different location without copying and dragging.

 Download

iBoysoft MagicMenu

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