What is the reason for this very annoying mac behavior

[zeppo2]

I have ignored this annoying behavior long enough.

I will be trying to move a file from one folder to another using the track pad on a macbook pro. Of course, this is a little tricky with the
trackpad, so i need a little more time to get it positioned over the folder I want to put it in. But before I accomplish that, I guess Apple decided it would really be of use to me if they move the window that I am hovering over. WHY?
I have never once had it be of any use to me, so what exactly is the purpose? How does it think it's helping me out?

 

[hg.wells]

Super strange behavior, never seen that before. If I hover over the folder it then opens the folder.

You don't happen to have any other programs / tools installed that could be causing the behavior?

 

[jparker402]

Watching with interest. Just received a new, 2021 MacBook Pro 14 M-1, and the track pad is flakey compared to my 2015 MacBook Air. Sometimes super sensitive; seems like blowing on it moves from one screen to the next. Sometimes trying to single click it seems I need to bang it like a hammer. Have had to move to a mouse to get reliable control. Hoping that time/wear will correct the problem.

 

[arw]

Option 1: target window must be fully visible and not partially outside the screen (or behind the dock)
Option 2: disable "Accessibility > Pointer Control > Spring-loading delay"

Tested on Big Sur and Monterey. Magic Mouse and internal trackpad.
Although for handling files I prefer a dedicated program with split view like Path Finder or Forklift.

 

[russell_314]

Th

Watching with interest. Just received a new, 2021 MacBook Pro 14 M-1, and the track pad is flakey compared to my 2015 MacBook Air. Sometimes super sensitive; seems like blowing on it moves from one screen to the next. Sometimes trying to single click it seems I need to bang it like a hammer. Have had to move to a mouse to get reliable control. Hoping that time/wear will correct the problem.

That doesn’t sound normal. I don’t have the Pro but on my M2 Air it’s perfect. Apple laptops are known for their trackpads. Maybe if you are near an Apple store make an appointment to have them look at it. A bad trackpad would drive me crazy!

 

[chabig]

If I hover over the folder it then opens the folder.

I suspect that if he stayed over the folder it would have opened. He actually dragged off the folder to the right.

 

[MacGizmo]

I have never once had it be of any use to me, so what exactly is the purpose? How does it think it's helping me out?

It's happening because the window you're dragging to is half off the screen. Make sure the window is completely contained on the screen and it won't move. It's quite an annoying feature, I agree.

 

[KALLT]

The point of this feature is to move the target window to the visible screen area to help you complete the drag and drop without having to interrupt it, e.g. if the target folder is not currently in the visible area or if you want to navigate into a sub or parent folder without having to open up that folder beforehand.

It makes admittedly not much sense in this particular instance, since the important part of the window is already shown to you, but I suppose the feature is still triggered if the window is not completely visible.

Arw has provided the solution for this. Alternatively, you can also increase the “spring-load delay” to account for slower movement with the trackpad.

 

[zeppo2]

Option 1: target window must be fully visible and not partially outside the screen (or behind the dock)
Option 2: disable "Accessibility > Pointer Control > Spring-loading delay"

Tested on Big Sur and Monterey. Magic Mouse and internal trackpad.
Although for handling files I prefer a dedicated program with split view like Path Finder or Forklift.

OMG thank you! Turning off Spring-loading delay did the trick. Can't imagine the fearture ever being helpful to me.

 

[BrianBaughn]

OMG thank you! Turning off Spring-loading delay did the trick. Can't imagine the fearture ever being helpful to me.

It's useful if you're looking for a folder another level down, I suppose.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Something to consider: Finder tabs

They aren’t always/perfectly convenient. Although, for me, they’ve been helpful when moving files/folders.

A simple example:

 

[darngooddesign]

OMG thank you! Turning off Spring-loading delay did the trick. Can't imagine the feature ever being helpful to me.

You're correct that you may not have a use for it but...

Spring-loading is helpful if you have nested folders (folders inside folders inside folders) without having the final destination folder visible. It lets you drag a file to that destination folder without having to manually open them first. You can even access it through the side bar so you don't even have to have two windows open.

An example is if you take screenshots for several projects and your folder structure is

Documents
--Work
----Client Name
------Project 1
------Project 2
------Project 3

You could open a window and drag to from the Desktop to Documents in the Sidebar and let SpringLoading drill down without your having to double-click several times to get to Project 2.

Having the window move up like that is helpful if you want access to the whole window without seeing the entire window. You would first drag the file to the top of the window, wait for it to pop up, and then drag it into a folder.

PS. It's called Springloading because back when it was created the finder windows used to pop open visually.

 

[zeppo2]

You're correct that you may not have a use for it but...

Spring-loading is helpful if you have nested folders (folders inside folders inside folders) without having the final destination folder visible. It lets you drag a file to that destination folder without having to manually open them first. You can even access it through the side bar so you don't even have to have two windows open.

An example is if you take screenshots for several projects and your folder structure is

Documents
--Work
----Client Name
------Project 1
------Project 2
------Project 3

You could open a window and drag to from the Desktop to Documents in the Sidebar and let SpringLoading drill down without your having to double-click several times to get to Project 2.

Having the window move up like that is helpful if you want access to the whole window without seeing the entire window. You would first drag the file to the top of the window, wait for it to pop up, and then drag it into a folder.

PS. It's called Springloading because back when it was created the finder windows used to pop open visually.

Yes, I've used that feature _occassionally_ (usually I'll already have the folders unnested), but what I have never needed is for the window to move on me. That is what is extremely annoying. If I find myself having to do a repetitive task involved moving files into buried folders, I'll reactivate the spring-loading, but otherwise, I am SO glad to be rid of it.