Cut and paste files in Finder (move instead of copy) — via Apple Support

Tricklow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later

Finder has no Cut command in the Edit menu for files, which confuses people coming from Windows. There is a hidden equivalent: copy as normal, then paste with Option held down, and the file moves instead of being duplicated.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

Select the files and press Command + C.
Go to the destination folder and press Option + Command + V. The files are moved from their original location.

Sources

Mac keyboard shortcuts — by Apple Support

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.

cutpastemove filesfinderkeyboard shortcut

More in Finder

Keep folders above files when sorting by name — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow risk

Normally Finder mixes folders and files together alphabetically. With this on, folders are listed first, then files, the way Windows Explorer does it. It can be set for windows and, separately, for the desktop.

Stop .DS_Store files on network shares (faster SMB browsing) — via Apple Support

Commandlow risk

Finder leaves .DS_Store files in every folder it opens to remember view settings, and on network shares reading them slows browsing. Apple documents a setting that stops this on SMB shares, so folders list faster. Windows and Linux users of the share will thank you too.

Show the path bar and status bar in every Finder window — via Apple Support

Tricklow risk

The path bar shows where the current folder lives (and you can drag files onto any folder in it). The status bar shows how many items are selected and how much free space is left. Both are hidden on a fresh Mac.