Moving files in Windows is a simple task that can be done in just a few steps. Depending on the version of Windows you are using, the steps may vary slightly, but the overall process is essentially the same. In this guide, we will go over how to move files in Windows using both the File Explorer and Command Prompt tools.
Using File Explorer
Step 1: Open File Explorer
To access the File Explorer in Windows, the easiest way is to click the File Explorer icon in the taskbar. Alternatively, you can type “file explorer” into the search box in the Start menu.
Once the File Explorer window is open, you can use it to view the contents of your computer’s hard drive and any connected external drives.
Step 2: Locate the Files You Want to Move
In the left-hand pane of the File Explorer window, you will see listings for all the folders and drives connected to your computer. Use this pane to navigate to the folder or drive where the files you want to move are located.
Step 3: Select the Files You Want to Move
Once you have navigated to the folder containing the files you want to move, you can select them either by clicking on each file individually, or by dragging a “box” around them with your mouse.
You can also select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key as you click each file you want to select.
Step 4: Cut or Copy the Selected Files
Once you have selected the files you want to move, you can either cut or copy them. To do this, click the Home tab at the top of the File Explorer window and then click the Cut or Copy command.
Note: If you are moving the files to a different drive, you should select Copy instead of Cut. This will ensure that the original file remains intact in its original location.
Step 5: Navigate to the Location Where You Want to Move the Files
Once you have cut or copied the files, you need to navigate to the location where you want to move them. To do this, use the left-hand pane of the File Explorer window to navigate to the location you want to move the files to.
Step 6: Paste the Files
Finally, all you need to do is paste the files into the new location. To do this, click the Home tab at the top of the File Explorer window and then click the Paste command. This will move the selected files to the new location.
Using Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable using the command line, you can also use the Command Prompt to move files.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt
To open the Command Prompt, type “cmd” into the search box in the Start menu and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Folder Containing the Files You Want to Move
Once the Command Prompt window is open, you need to navigate to the folder containing the files you want to move. To do this, you will need to know the path to the folder. For example, if the folder is located on the C drive, the path might look something like this:
C:\FolderName
Once you know the path to the folder, you can use the “cd” command to navigate to it. For example, to access the folder mentioned above, you could type the command below:
cd C:\ FolderName
Step 3: Use the Move Command to Move the Files
Once you’re in the folder containing the files you want to move, you can use the “move” command to move them. This command has two parameters – the source and the destination.
For example, if you wanted to move a file named “example.txt” from the FolderName folder to the MyDocuments folder, the command would look like this:
move C:\FolderName\example.txt C:\MyDocuments
Step 4: Confirm the Move
Finally, you will be asked to confirm the move. Type “y” and press Enter to confirm the move. The file will then be moved to the specified location.
Conclusion
Moving files in Windows is a simple task that can be done with just a few clicks or keystrokes. In this guide, we went over how to move files using both the File Explorer and Command Prompt tools. Both methods are relatively simple and straightforward, making them ideal for users of all skill levels.