This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I have a new problem that has cropped up just in the last week or two. I can no longer drag and drop my files and folders in Windows Explorer. I have Windows 7 on a HP Notebook. It came installed on the computer last December when I bought it (09). I've never had an issue with it since then, and I'm not sure how to find the settings to enable drag and drop or re-enable it. I know I've done it before on this machine, many times- and just noticed it first in Thunderbird, (my email desktop application) then in explorer. I did recently install the SP1 (spelling??) a few weeks ago, and have installed a few other odds and ends programs, but I'm pretty sure drag and drop was working okay until a few days ago.
Any help would be appreciated. As a genealogy writer, that's a must have feature.
Thanks.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
This happened to me yesterday.
In Windows Explorer, click a file with the left mouse button and keep the button held down. Then press the Escape key. Drag and drop is miraculously re-enabled.
I think just pressing the escape will work too but I'm no longer in a position to test that. I got this from http://it.thelibrarie.com/weblog/2010/06/drag-and-drop-stops-working/
This happened to me yesterday.
In Windows Explorer, click a file with the left mouse button and keep the button held down. Then press the Escape key. Drag and drop is miraculously re-enabled.
I think just pressing the escape will work too but I'm no longer in a position to test that. I got this from http://it.thelibrarie.com/weblog/2010/06/drag-and-drop-stops-working/
I don't feel like reading through everything to see if this has been mentioned. The escape fix worked for me with Win 7. The only thing I have that is unique from coworkers is a wireless keyboard and mouse. I expect that has something to do with my issue.
Thanks Nige!
Solved that problem,although,it was slightly different for me.I could Drag/Drop in the rest of Windows Explorer; but not pin,or alter previously pinned programmed {shortcuts} up/down windows explorer or control panel ,which I had earlier pinned to Start Menu or to the Taskbar,as well.
I,actively remembering that I was the cause, but shamed to say ,while it would normally be rather easy to find; navigate back to, so as to fix.I could not recall for the life of me.Even after extensive research all around,I found this forum and while I didn't find solution here,thought I could at least share my problem/solution JIC anyone else out there runs in to this.
So, while I know this is a bit of a variation, I'll write what I did to unscrew my CPU, jic anyone out is as much of a numb-skull as me.
Go to Start Button,Right-Click and hit properties.Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window will open.On the right is the Customize button.Click it to go to Customize Start Menu.Just a fuzz down;just below 'Downloads', is the box labeled 'Enable context menus and dragging and dropping.Make sure box IS CHECKED and hit OK.Apply /OK and see if you notice and changes.
Good Luck!
• °o.O •-_®¯¯®_-• O.o° •
It happens to me a number of times as well. And the ESC trick works for me.
I believe this is truely a bug that Microsoft should look into.
Hi...
This method worked out for me.. Thank you soo much..
With Regards,
Akshatha
