folder configuration: changing default action of left mouse button

[Volker Hetzer]

Hi!
Some of our customers have repeatedly caused problems by
accidentally moving files and folders when they schould
be only copying them.
The problem is that when copying, our customers just open
two folders and drag stuff over without looking whether
source and target are on the same drive or not.

Is there a way to configure the left mouse button to always copy?

Lots of Greetings!
Volker

 

[Matija Hrovat]

Hi Volker,
just one thing to keep in mind.
The main problem you will be facing is that you are changing the default
behaviour of Drag and Drop so if a person will use the changed computer you
could get in "trouble".

With that in mind...

Go to Regedit

--For only Directories--:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Directory


--For ALL Files (except directories)--:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
*

--For specific file (e.g. .xls)--:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
SystemFileAssociations
..xls

Create a DWORD key DefaultDropEffect
Values are:
1 - Copy
2 - Move
4 - Create a shortcut


The Value for ALL is taken last, so if you set * to "Copy" and you set .xls
file to "Create a shortcut" when you drag and drop an Excel file "Create a
shortcut" will be used.

Hope it helps and please let me know if I was unclear in any way.

Regards,
Matija Hrovat