you can inset, bevel , extrude. I forget if there is a function that lets you bridge, and it just has a different name. They updated the tools a little in version 4. I don't remember shift drag being possible in patches before that version.
Bridge is just a manual sort of operation, so it takes longer, you can just create a new patch then target weld the verts. Inset is just a bevel with 0 height. Patch on right, poly on left. Patch tools aren't quite as hotkey friendly, but they can do most of the same things. The one thing I miss is edge removal and an…