The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on standard operations in most computer graphical user interfaces, the correct answer is:
Replace the file in the destination
Explanation
When you attempt to copy a file, such as “Testfile.txt,” into a folder or directory that already contains a file with the exact same name, the operating system recognizes a potential conflict. To prevent accidental data loss, it does not complete the action silently. Instead, it pauses the process and presents the user with a dialog box, often titled “Confirm File Replace” or “File Name Conflict.” This box requires you to make a decision about how to proceed.
This dialog box typically offers a few standard choices:
- Replace the file in the destination: This option will delete the existing file and save the new file you are copying in its place. The original file in that location will be permanently overwritten.
- Skip this file: This choice cancels the copy operation for that specific file. The existing file in the destination folder remains untouched, and the new file is not copied.
- Compare info for both files (or Keep both): This option provides more control. It might show you the size and modification dates of both files so you can make an informed decision. Alternatively, as is common in systems like Windows and macOS, it may offer to save the new file with a slightly altered name (e.g., “Testfile (2).txt” or “Testfile copy.txt”), allowing both the original and the new file to exist in the same folder.
The question asks which choice was “automatically selected.” In this context, “automatically selected” refers to the default, pre-highlighted option that the system suggests. While the system waits for your confirmation, it sets a default for efficiency. In most modern operating systems, “Replace the file in the destination” is the default choice. This is because a common reason for copying a file with the same name is to update it with a newer version. By making “Replace” the default, the system streamlines this workflow, allowing a user to confirm the update by simply pressing the Enter key.
