Add optional queued file operations for copy/move tasks

Brainstorm
1

Feature Request: Copy Queue for Dolphin File Manager

Description:

I would like to request an optional copy/move queue system for Dolphin, similar to what file managers like Krusader or Nemo provide.

Current behavior:
When starting multiple copy or move operations in Dolphin, they run simultaneously.

Suggested behavior:
If a copy/move operation is already running, Dolphin could offer options like:

  • Start immediately

  • Add to queue

  • Cancel

Queued operations would automatically start after the currently active operation has finished.

Benefits:

  • Reduced disk thrashing and random I/O

  • Better SSD/HDD performance during large transfers

  • Faster completion time for multiple large copy jobs

  • Lower system load

  • More predictable transfer behavior

This is especially useful when:

  • copying large media files

  • working with many SSD/HDD targets

  • handling backup workflows

  • moving video production or event data

Krusader and Nemo already implement similar workflows successfully.

Possible implementation ideas:

  • optional queue toggle in settings

  • queue management panel

  • drag & drop into queue

  • pause/reorder queued tasks

System information:

Operating System: Manjaro Linux
KDE Plasma Version: 6.6.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.26.0
Qt Version: 6.11.0
Kernel Version: 6.18.28-2-MANJARO (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
Dolphin Version: 26.04.1

Hardware:

  • Intel Core i7-6820HQ

  • 32 GB RAM

  • Lenovo ThinkPad P50

Thank you for your work on Dolphin and KDE.

2

I feel like adding files to the queue should be the default option for any copy actions that would act on a HDD that is currently involved in a copy already, as there’s almost no circumstance where you would want to have a HDD trying to do two at once.

Perhaps there’s some better logic based on hardware, or just allowing a manual pop up, or context menu options to force the use of a queue. It’s incredibly frustrating that there’s no queue for copies, and I’d prefer not to need to use a different app to achieve it when Dolphin is otherwise ideal!