published on in blog

Here's What to Do Instead

Are you a former Windows user who's trying to figure out how to cut and paste files on a Mac? Well, the truth is that macOS doesn't have a "cut and paste" feature.

Instead, Apple uses "move" to permanently change the location of files. And while most shortcuts on Windows are similar in macOS, using Command + X will not move files for you in Finder; that shortcut only works with text.

We'll show you how to "cut and paste" those files by moving them.

Use a Keyboard Shortcut to Move the File

There is a keyboard shortcut you can use instead of Command + X to "cut and paste" files in Finder on macOS. Follow the steps below to use it properly:

  • Highlight the files you wish to "cut" (or move) in Finder or on the desktop.
  • Press Command + C on the keyboard to copy the files you wish to move.
  • Paste it into your destination folder by holding Command + Option + V. (Pressing Command + V will merely create another copy into the destination folder.)

    • Now, when you visit the original folder, you'll see that the files are no longer there; they've been "cut and pasted." Check out our list of useful Mac shortcuts if you want more of these.

    Move Your Files With the Edit and Context Menus

    You can also "cut and paste" files in Finder using the edit and context menus. Here's how to do so:

  • Highlight your target files in Finder.
  • Control-click the files to open the context menu and choose Copy.
  • Go to the destination folder, mouse up to the menu bar, and click Edit.
  • Hold the Option key, and you'll see that the Paste option will turn to Move. Click on it.

    • Once again, clicking Paste will not move the items but create a new copy in the destination folder.

    Learn Your Ways Around macOS

    macOS might initially be a little confusing for a Windows user, but it's intuitive once you get the hang of it. If there's something vital you can do on a Windows computer, the odds are you can also do it on a Mac if you look hard enough.

    For those switching from a Windows PC to a Mac, it might be better to check out some guides on how to transition to macOS. Doing that could save you some time and a lot of stumbling about.

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3KnqysnZ%2Bbe6S7zGiarqxdpa60wMRmpJqbXay8s7fAq6auppRk