If you are dragging an item (i.e., file or folder) from one folder to another on the same disk (e.g., the hard drive), copying an item in the Windows operating system requires telling the computer to copy, rather than copy--which is the default action of drag-and-drop for items on the same disk. There are three methods to copy files: the Right-Dragging Method, the CTRL-Dragging Method, and the copy-and-Paste Method.

Right-Dragging Method

To copy an item or group of items by using right-dragging, perform the following steps:

1. Select the item you wish to copy by clicking on its icon once.

   If you want to select multiple items, hold down the CTRL key while selecting additional items. You may release the CTRL key once you have selected all of the items to be copied.

   If you prefer to select items between others, you may hold down the Shift key instead. By doing so, all items between the first item you click on and the last item you click on will be selected.

2. Click on a selected item with your RIGHT mouse button and keep the button depressed.
3. Drag the item or items to the location where you would like to copy it or them.

   After releasing the right mouse button, a menu will appear. Select "copy Here" to copy the items.

To copy an item or group of items by using CTRL-dragging, perform the following steps:

1. Select the item you wish to copy by clicking on its icon once.

   If you want to select multiple items, hold down the CTRL key while selecting additional items. You may release the CTRL key once you have selected all of the items to be copied.

   If you prefer to select items between others, you may hold down the Shift key instead. By doing so, all items between the first item you click on and the last item you click on will be selected.

2. Click on a selected item, holding down the left mouse button. In addition, hold down the CTRL key on the keyboard.
3. While holding down the CTRL key, drag the item or items to the location where you would like to copy it or them.

   While dragging the item or items, a small plus sign (+) should appear near your mouse pointer. This plus sign indicates that the item or items will be copied--not copyd. You MUST keep the CTRL key held down while dragging and releasing the mouse button; otherwise, the item or items will be copyd, not copied.

To copy an item or group of items by using copy-and-Paste method, perform the following steps:

1. Select the item you wish to copy by clicking on its icon once.

   If you want to select multiple items, hold down the CTRL key while selecting additional items. You may release the CTRL key once you have selected all of the items to be copied.

   If you prefer to select items between others, you may hold down the Shift key instead. By doing so, all items between the first item you click on and the last item you click on will be selected.

2. Right-click on a selected item. A pop-up menu will appear.

   If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, instead of right-clicking a selected item, you can press CTRL-C to copy the selected item or items and skip step 3.

3. Select "Copy Here" from the pop-up menu.
   
   
4. Left-click on the location where you want to copy the items. By doing this, you are selecting the destination.
   
   
5. Right-click on the same area you selected in step 4. A pop-up menu will appear.

   If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, instead of right-clicking on the same area you selected in step 4, you can press CTRL-V to paste the copied item or items and skip step 6.

6. Select "Paste" and the item or items will be copied.