Windows 10 offers an easy option to move files and folders from one location to another. On a Windows 10 PC, when you select a file or folder, the File Explorer ribbon shows/activates a Move to icon, and clicking the Move to icon offers an option to select a location to move the selected file or folder.
In Windows 11, however, Microsoft got rid of the ribbon from File Explorer and replaced it with a toolbar. The toolbar doesn’t show a Move to button. Does that mean you cannot move files in Windows 11? No, File Explorer still lets you move files easily. So, how do we move a file or folder in Windows 11?
While Windows 11 does not offer a straightforward option to move files and folders from one location to another, we can use the built-in copy and paste feature to move files and folders with ease.
Method 1 of 3
Move files and folders using the context menu in Windows 11
Step 1: Navigate to the folder where the file/folder you would like to move is present.
Step 2: Right-click the file/folder you wish to move and then click the Cut icon.
Step 3: Now, go to the location where you would like to move the file/folder.
Step 4: Right-click on an empty spot and then click the Paste icon to move the file/folder to this location immediately. Depending on the size of the file/folder, Windows 11 might take seconds to minutes to complete moving it.
Method 2 of 3
Use keyboard shortcuts to move files and folders in Windows 11
Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the file or folder you want to move.
Step 2: Select the file or folder with the help of the arrow keys on the keyboard and then use the Ctrl + X keyboard shortcut to cut the file.
Step 3: Go to the destination location and then press the Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut to paste the file. The file/folder has been successfully moved now.
Method 3 of 3
Use the drag and drop feature to move files/folders in Windows 11
Step 1: Open the folder where the file/folder you need to move is located. Keep it on the left side of your screen.
Step 2: Open another instance of File Explorer and then navigate to the destination folder where you wish to move the file. Move it to the right side of the screen so you can see both the original and destination folders at the same time.
Step 3: In the original folder, click and hold the file/folder you want to move, then drag and drop it to the destination folder open on your screen to move the file immediately. Simple as that!
Our guide on how to open File Explorer settings in Windows 11 might also interest you.
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