Drag and Drop Not Working in Windows 7

Anonymous
2011-03-18T18:18:13+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2011-07-20T06:47:39+00:00

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/

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Anonymous
2014-05-15T11:56:09+00:00

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!

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-23T01:35:26+00:00

    Unfortunately it did not work for me. I cannot drag and drop, highlight and the only way I can move things is by using the right click on my mouse. I was playing Age of Empires 3 and I cannot multi- highlight my troops, I have to use the CTRL and L click each member one at a time.

    I tried the solution that everyone said worked but unfortunately it only opens the Word doc, Excel sheet or picture. The L click ESC button doesn't work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-01T18:07:04+00:00

    OMG Thank you! What the hmmm is Microsoft doing now to cause this? Meanwhile, you don't have to click. A simple escape with Explorer active (click the desktop or an icon) will fix it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-01T18:08:31+00:00

    Try minimizing everything then clicking on the desktop or a desktop icon then ESC.... Good luck.

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