Why won't Windows let you copy files in 'search results'?

Kernel_Sanders

I am currently clearing files off my PC in readiness for factory restore. I used the XP search facility to identify files that are not in specific folders that I have already removed. They are displayed in 'search results' where I have selected all, but Windows won't let me copy them onto a USB drive. The message is 'cannot read from the source file or disk', but, bizarrely, it let's you move and even delete them!

NiftyDigits

WinDirStat

Dave_C_2

Not much help I know, But I've just tried this and it's working fine using drag and drop. Some thoughts:

However, I have noticed with Windows file copy (or move), when you are bulk copying folders and files, if Windows is unable to copy a single file then the whole process stops! The error message pertaining to the file that stops the process. Annoyingly it doesn't say which file!

Maybe just one file in one folder is the culprit. Can you copy (or move) single files?

I originally thought that you may have done a search, moved one of the files via a separate operation in another window and the search results did not update. I couldn't replicate this.

Dave

Kernel_Sanders

NiftyDigits wrote: »

WinDirStat

All very pretty but I don't see how that's going to help!