Cut-Paste files or folders on Mac OS X

Is there anyway to move some files/folders on Mac OS X as easy as in Windows?

The only way I know is to side the two source and destination folders, and drag and drop the files from one to the other. However in some cases we like to cut them when only the source folder is open, and paste them later.

Solution 1:

The shortcuts to Cut and Paste files or folders in Lion (or later) are:

• Command-C to copy
• Command-Option-V to paste

Solution 2:

While you can copy (Command + C) and paste (Command + V) files in OS X, the cut (Command + X) function is not supported. What you can do however is choose whether to Move, Copy, or Create an alias when dragging and dropping files.

• Command + Drag and Drop = Move File
• Option (alt) + Drag and Drop = Copy File
• Option + Command + Drag and Drop = Create Alias

As a side note, when working with files all on the same Volume/Partition Move is the default action, there is no need to hold the Command Key. Alternately, when working with files across two different Volume/Partitions, Copy is the default option and there is no need to hold the option key. You can always tell what is about to happen by taking a look at the curser before you drop. A green Plus (+) icon indicates that the file will be copied, the absence of this icon indicates a move.

If the Cut and Copy functionality is absolutely crucial to your workflow, then I suggest checking out OnMyCommand. It's a Unix and AppleScript Executor and if I recall, there are some user submitted scripts that will enable cut functionality for finder items.