Q: Command X doesn't CUT it

Does this occur system wide, or only in certain situations?

MtD

Command+X shouldn't launch the Finder search, but that's not how cut works in OS X anyway. You do a Command+C to copy what you want to copy or move, then Command+Option+V to do a cut move rather than a normal paste.

Kurt Lang wrote:

 

Command+X shouldn't launch the Finder search, but that's not how cut works in OS X anyway. You do a Command+C to copy what you want to copy or move, then Command+Option+V to do a cut move rather than a normal paste.

If true, makes one wonder why there are Command+X shortcuts in all edit menus for Mac applications.

If you click on the Edit menu, does the short cut appear next to the menu Cut?

Have you added any custom keyboard shortcuts?

Did this problem appear spontaneously, or can it be associated with another event ( software upgrade, app installation, etc.)?

MtD

Kurt Lang wrote:

 

Command+X shouldn't launch the Finder search, but that's not how cut works in OS X anyway. You do a Command+C to copy what you want to copy or move, then Command+Option+V to do a cut move rather than a normal paste.

Funny, it works for me.  I highlight something I want to remove and either do Command + X or right-click on it and select "Cut," and it's gone.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Kurt Lang wrote:

 

Command+X shouldn't launch the Finder search, but that's not how cut works in OS X anyway. You do a Command+C to copy what you want to copy or move, then Command+Option+V to do a cut move rather than a normal paste.

Just to add, Command+X has worked the same way in OSX since nearly the dawn of time. The same is true of Linux and Windows except they use the Control key instead. Also, Command+Option+V doesn't work as "Cut and Move" in a normal set up.

It depends on what you're doing. Since the OP is saying Command+X launches the Finder, I'm assuming Dave is trying to do a file or folder cut and paste.

If that's the case, then yes, Command+Option+V is the only way to do a cut move of such items. OS X does not do cut the way Windows does.

Apps are completely different. A cut command in a text editor, Photoshop, or just about any other app does what cut always does. It lifts whatever you have marked out of the original.

I read the OP as being used in an App.

Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support

Yup, could have been either. Not enough description to know for sure.

FWIW, in the 30+ years I've been using Macs, I've never used Command+Option+V to move an item in the Finder. I didn't know it existed actually. Thanks for mentioning it.

Cut as a Finder keystroke appeared in Mavericks (I think). Hasn't been around long.