Avert disaster - be sure to select the safest option

In recent Good Boots I mentioned ways to relocate files and folders. Certainly not a task I’d consider having potential catastrophic implications. That is until I received a phone call from a Good Booter who crashed her system because of an inappropriate drag and drop.

I’m not sure how Arlene was able to drag and drop fifty photos into her Windows folder. Nor am I sure how in her haste to find and relocate them from her Windows folder back to her Pictures folder, she was able to included an unknown number of system files.

But she did and you can guess the rest.

So to all you other novices - please take note.

Among the several ways Windows provides to accomplish any given task, there’s usually one
that provides a novice with a safe way to accomplish the task. And safely relocating files is no exception.

But before you can safely relocate files you must select them:
* Individually by holding down your Ctrl key and clicking on each file or with Vista=s check boxes, clicking on each checkbox.
*As a group by clicking on the first file and holding down the Shift key, clicking on the last file. Or by locating your pointer in front of the first file (and checkbox if you’re using them) then holding down you left mouse button dragging it like a lasso to highlight the files you want to relocate.

To deselect one or more files from a selected group hold down the Ctrl key and deselect them individually. Or from a list of files, first select the unwanted files using your Ctrl key then click Edit on your toolbar and click Invert Selection.

Once you’ve selected files your drag and drop choices are to use your:
* Left mouse button to "move only".
* Right Mouse button to copy or move.

However a successful drag and drop requires a steady hand to drag the files to what can become a rather elusive alternative folder.

I suggest novices select the files they want to relocate, click Edit on their toolbar and select either "Copy to" or "Move to" folder. Then after safely locating the desired folder, copy or paste the files.

Vista users: If you do not see your Menu Bar, click Organize, Layout and click Menu Bar.

I also suggest a "just in case" for novices. When permanently relocating files of any kind, first Copy them to their new location and then go back and delete the copied files.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.