macOS Tip: How To Cut and Paste (Move) Files In MacOS Finder

• YouTube Video
• Introduction
• Moving Files in Finder
• Conclusion

YouTube Video

If you would prefer to watch the content of this article, there is a video version available on YouTube below:

Introduction

Having used macOS for many years, I have missed a feature from Windows and Linux desktops that didn't seem to exist in macOS: Cutting and pasting files from one location to another.

There is no option for this in the right-click menu so I always thought it wasn't a feature that macOS had. As it turns out there is a way to get a similar function to this in macOS.

So, how is it done?

Moving Files in Finder

As it turns out, it is a very simple process:

1. Open a Finder window and browse to the file(s) you need to move (cut and paste).
2. Select the file(s) and copy them using either CMD+C or right-click and selecting copy.
3. Next, open another Finder window (or tab) and browse to the destination folder where you would like to place the files.
4. Finally, use either CMD+OPTION+V or right-click in the location, press and hold the OPTION key and paste will turn to Move. Left click on Move and the files will be moved. The file(s) in the source folder will no longer be present.

This works when moving files on the same drive or to a different drive. No need to copy, paste and delete the source copy anymore.

Conclusion

I hope you found this useful. Thank you for reading and have a nice day!