DiGrifter
Level 1 (8 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Problem with File Selection and Moving

After upgrading to Sierra I cannot select files in Finder using the keyboard like before. Also, Command-Drag doesn't move files anymore but merely copies them.

 

Is there a way to fix these glitches in behavior?

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 9:40 PM

Close
DiGrifter

Q: Problem with File Selection and Moving

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by -numbermaniac,

    -numbermaniac -numbermaniac Oct 1, 2016 9:47 PM in response to DiGrifter
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 9:47 PM in response to DiGrifter

    File selection has changed to Shift-arrow keys rather than Command-arrow keys. Shouldn't dragging alone be enough to move files?

  • by trevoz,

    trevoz trevoz Oct 1, 2016 9:54 PM in response to DiGrifter
    Level 2 (407 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2016 9:54 PM in response to DiGrifter

    This (cmd-dragging files) still works for me.

     

    Try removing the com.apple.finder.plist file in your Library/Preferences folder and rebooting.

  • by DiGrifter,

    DiGrifter DiGrifter Oct 2, 2016 12:19 AM in response to trevoz
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 12:19 AM in response to trevoz

    There is no "com.apple.finder" file of any type on my Mac according to the search.

  • by DiGrifter,

    DiGrifter DiGrifter Oct 2, 2016 12:18 AM in response to -numbermaniac
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 12:18 AM in response to -numbermaniac

    1) I don't know if you're running Sierra, or if it's just my (and a few other people's) installations that are buggy, but holding Shift and trying to select files using the arrow keys doesn't work as it should/used to. Just trust me on this.

     

    2) Previously, when you held the Command key and dragged a file to a USB drive for example, it would automatically move the file, not merely make a copy. This no longer occurs.

     

    If these are new "features" of Sierra I hope they are changed back. If this is just something wrong with my installation, I hope someone can suggest a fix.

  • by trevoz,Helpful

    trevoz trevoz Oct 2, 2016 7:42 AM in response to DiGrifter
    Level 2 (407 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:42 AM in response to DiGrifter

    There is. Trust me

     

    Open a Terminal Window and type:

     

    cd ~/Library/Preferences

    ls -l com.apple.finder.plist

     

    Now delete the file

     

    rm com.apple.finder.plist

     

    Now reboot.

  • by DiGrifter,

    DiGrifter DiGrifter Oct 2, 2016 7:42 AM in response to trevoz
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 7:42 AM in response to trevoz

    OK, I did as instructed (thanks for the step-by-step instructions BTW), and I still have the same issue.

  • by ctsankov,

    ctsankov ctsankov Oct 3, 2016 9:59 PM in response to trevoz
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 3, 2016 9:59 PM in response to trevoz

    I have similar problem also.

     

    I'm unable to select an image file when 'Saving For Web' in the 'Save As' finder window in Photoshop CC running on Sierra.

    There are times when I need to save a new image using a similar name by selecting the existing file, which matches the name in the 'Save As' dialog field.

    Using Photoshop CC under Sierra I'm unable to do so because of the inability to select existing files in the Save-as finder window.

    I was thinking at first that was from Adobe but later I noticed that I can't save from web browsers and other programs. I installed both beta updates on Sierra but also that didn't fixed it. I hope to be fixed so I can upgrade to Sierra. There wasn't such problem in the previous versions.

  • by Thesledman,

    Thesledman Thesledman Oct 6, 2016 7:24 AM in response to DiGrifter
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 6, 2016 7:24 AM in response to DiGrifter

    I had/have the same issue as you. I need to move (not copy) image files from my iMac HD to an external USB drive many times throughout the day. The technique cmd ⌘ + drag-&-drop has always worked. After Sierra it seems that now you must start dragging then press and hold cmd ⌘  after dragging but before dropping to duplicate the old function. The steps are as follows:

     

    1. Select files/folders you want to move.
    2. Drag files to folder/drive but do not release the mouse button.
    3. Press & hold the command ⌘ key - then release the mouse button (drop).

     

    Seems for whatever reason, it was changed and not documented anywhere.