Finder's "Keep Both" vs. "Skip" when copying files - why does the "default" seem to change?

David, this isn't the confirmed answer, however, from my experience I have observed that when you first copy over a file to a new location and then try doing it again, you get the "skip" option. If you try a second time, copying over the same flie to that other "same" location where you got the "skip" option, because it's your second time, it now displays the "keep both" option.

I haven't tried the the option-key trick you mentioned, I'll give it a try.

Anybody else come up with any other conclusions why you get "skip" one time but then the other time it doesn't give you the "skip" option and forces the "keep" button?

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/75410/why-is-lions-keep-both-option-mis sing-from-the-file-copy-dialog

The "answer" here seems to answer your question. I had the same question and I had to rename a bunch of stuff because I had no idea about the option key changing "skip" to "keep both"

I know this is an older post, I think I know the answer to this question.

I have observed that if you move 4 or fewer items into a folder with items of the same names, you get the option Keep Both.

If you move 5 or more items into a folder with items of the same name, that is when you are no longer given the option to "Keep Both" but instead are only allowed to Stop, Replace, or Skip.

I haven't read this whole thread so forgive me if this has already been mentioned. I see keep both when I drag an item into a folder where the same file name exists. To see keep both I press Option while the dialog box is up, pressing Option will change skip to keep both.

I find this a lot with Mac, options seem to be hidden until you press certian keys, such as holding option when clicking the items in the menu bar; you are presented with different options.

Hope this helps.

you sir... are extremely observant. thanks for being able to explain this !