What is the difference between copying and moving files?

The distinction between copying and moving files lies primarily in how each process handles the original file and its duplicate. When you copy a file, the system creates an exact duplicate of that file in a new location, leaving the original file intact in its initial position. This allows you to have two instances of the file, one in the original location and one in the new location.

In contrast, moving a file does not create a duplicate; instead, it transfers the file from its original location to a new location. Once the move is complete, the file can no longer be found in the original spot, as it has been relocated entirely. This process effectively changes the file's address without maintaining a second copy.

The other options don't accurately reflect the fundamental operations that occur during copying and moving processes. For example, suggesting that copying and moving are the same process ignores the critical difference in file retention and location. Additionally, stating that moving creates duplicates contradicts the definition of moving, as it explicitly involves removing the file from its original place. Lastly, the notion that moving requires software assistance while copying does not is misleading, as both actions are typically facilitated by the operating system's file management systems without needing separate or specialized software beyond the operating system itself.