where is the move button in documents in windows 11

Question

where is the move button in documents in windows 11

Muriel McKenzie 15

I want to move documents to a folder where is the move button gone in windows 11

0 comments

4 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Donna Shultz 30

If there is a way to get the old move and copy tools back, I want them!!!! I don't want to jump back and forth between folders when I want to move or copy files that I need to reuse for a new project. Removing that tool has added time to my workflow and I hate it that is gone in Windows 11.

CrazyKats 19,155 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-09T21:16:10.44+00:00

This thread is over 6 months old.

Suggestions should be posted in

the Feedback Hub. Use WIN+F
Donna Shultz 30 Reputation points

2026-07-09T22:36:57.6666667+00:00

Searching for how to get the old tools back brought me to the page. Doesn't matter anyway; I found a workaround. But will add this along with my feedback about not being able to move the taskbar, the big window that opens when you click on start covering up the open docs, so if you are trying to follow instructions that start with "click on start," everything you need to do after that is now covered up!

Answer 2

Richard Trinidad 6,330 Independent Advisor

Hi Muriel, Thanks for posting here in Microsoft community, in Windows 11, the "Move to" option is now found under the three-dot menu ⋯ in File Explorer's toolbar or by right-clicking the file and choosing Show more options then Cut, then pasting it into the desired folder.

Also, are you using the regular File Explorer or accessing your documents through OneDrive or a special app interface?

Let me know if you're using OneDrive or a special folder setup that can behave differently.

Chard

Muriel McKenzie 15 Reputation points

2025-10-28T21:47:31.8+00:00

Such a waste of time having to either cut or copy and then paste, to move a document in My Documents to a folder in my documents.

Even more time consuming to move pictures from one folder to another.

not sure why something that worked good was broken.
Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-28T21:49:34.9233333+00:00

Richard, are you sure about the "Move to" option under the three-dot menu?
Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-28T21:52:27.53+00:00

Cut and Paste can actually be faster if you get used to using Ctrl-X and Ctrl-V. Also, sometimes, the fastest move is done by dragging a file to the target folder (if it's at the same level). However, you can get the "Move To folder..." item back if you want. See my answer for details.
Richard Trinidad 6,330 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-28T22:03:07.72+00:00

Hi Muriel, Windows 11 simplified file moving to Cut and Paste via right-click or the ⋯ menu. If you prefer the old "Move To folder..." option, you can restore it using a registry tweak or tools like WinAero Tweaker. Let me know if you're using OneDrive or a special folder setup those can behave differently.

Are you accessing your files through regular File Explorer, OneDrive, or a specific app interface?

Chard
Claudia Dillman 0 Reputation points

2026-02-01T18:52:15.3+00:00

Just saying.....this Answer/Solution feels more like a workaround than an improved command set.
Tom Pegler 0 Reputation points

2026-05-25T02:23:52.2666667+00:00

This is a disappointing downgrade in software from Windows 10. Simple tasks like managing files shouldn't be unnecessarily complex and have extra pointless steps

Answer 3

Les Ferch 10,361 Volunteer Moderator

Microsoft removed the "Copy To folder..." and "Move To folder..." options long before Windows 11 in favor of Copy and Paste and Cut and Paste. The Cut, Copy, and Paste options can be found by right-clicking a file or folder, whether you use the old or new context menu.

Just to be clear, Cut and Paste is exactly the same as Move.

If you really want the "Copy To folder..." and "Move To folder..." right-click options, you can add them back via a registry change, which you can do by following this tutorial or by using a utility that sets the registry for you, such as WinAero Tweaker or WinSetView.

Muriel McKenzie 15 Reputation points

2025-10-28T23:27:50.73+00:00

Sorry not that computer savvy

Answer 4

Richard Trinidad 6,330 Independent Advisor

Hi Muriel, the "Move To" button isn’t gone it’s just moved. You can now right-click a file, choose Cut, then go to the folder you want and choose Paste. If you want the old "Move To folder..." option back, I can help you install a free tool that brings it back no tech skills needed.

Chard

basx 5 Reputation points

2025-12-16T10:55:01.8066667+00:00

I want the the old MOVE TO and Copy TO buttons. I'd like to have the free too too

Thanks!

xavier
Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-12-16T12:35:44.0566667+00:00

@basx, As mentioned above, you can add the "Copy To folder..." and "Move To folder..." right-click options via a registry change, which you can do by following this tutorial or by using a utility that sets the registry for you, such as WinAero Tweaker or WinSetView.
Claudia Dillman 0 Reputation points

2026-02-01T18:50:52.73+00:00

I want the FREE no-tech tool for restoring the old Move To and Copy To buttons
Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-01T19:24:41.5933333+00:00

Here are a couple of free point and click tools that provide that option (and much more):

https://winaerotweaker.com/

https://lesferch.github.io/WinSetView/

I wrote the second one.

Please note, I do not for Microsoft. I'm just another user trying to help. Not all solutions suit all users.
Donna Shultz 30 Reputation points

2026-07-09T21:10:35.1033333+00:00

I want the free tool. I copy to move to tools back on my windows explorer bar!!! I don't want to keep jumping back and forth between folders when I want to move or copy files that I need to reuse for a new project. Removing that tool has added time to my workflow and I hate it that is gone in Windows 11.