Opening a file is different from selecting it for a bulk action. A focused row alone is not a selection. Each pane keeps its selection when you switch panes; bulk actions use the active pane.
Desktop Mouse Selection
With touch selection off, click the name to open an item or its icon to select it. After the first selection, icons become selection controls. Shift-click an icon to add a range without losing earlier selections. Mouse and keyboard selection share the range anchor.
Clicking outside the icon or in empty list space clears selection without opening the item; click again to open it. Escape also clears selection. Sorting or starting File Search clears the active pane’s selection.
Touch Selection
On phones, select from More actions or touch and hold a row. Tap additional rows to change the selection, then use the pane’s bottom selection controls. Larger touch devices can use this behavior too; see File Browser Preferences .
Keyboard Selection
See Keyboard Navigation and Shortcuts for the selection commands.
Continue with Copy and Move Files or Download and Upload Files .