Suddenly can't drag or drop files anymore in windows 7 (64 bit)

Anonymous
2011-12-16T23:40:49+00:00

Hi Everyone,

I have a new Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) laptop. I've not installed any new programs (auto-updates either) or what I know changed any settings, but suddenly today I can no longer drag and drop files on my laptop... this is everywhere, but most noticeably on the desktop, where I usually put files and group then where I want. If I want to move files from the desktop to My Documents I have to now cut and paste them!!!

What is going on?

Have I inadvertently changed a setting? How do I get this function back as it is vital!!

Sincerely, and with thanks,

Judd

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-07-01T19:10:19+00:00

This sounds too simple to work, but it worked for me:

1)  Find an affected icon.

2)  Click and HOLD the icon with the Left mouse button.

3)  Press Esc while holding the Left mouse button.

That's it!  This was driving me crazy.  It had nothing to do with registry entries or anything else.  Simply a failed Drag & Drop operation that hadn't exited.  Even restarting had only worked temporarily, so I suspect my Esc key may have been stuck down or at least the system thought it was!

My particular variant of this problem seems to stem from either a Virtual Machine taking mouse focus, or a browser window (I was running a VM inside a browser window) then being interrupted during mouse action.

Thanks to @_Nige for the quick fix.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/drag-and-drop-not-working-in-windows-7/f6dcfa11-8c51-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5?tm=1341168619214

Was this answer helpful?

1100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

55 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-12-17T13:51:38+00:00

    Hi,

    • Do you receive any error message?

    Follow the suggestions and see if it helps.

    Method 1You may run System File Checker tool.

    How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

    Method 2Step 1:

    Check if the issue exists in Safe mode.

    Start your computer in safe mode

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode

    **Step 2:**If the issue doesn’t  persists in Safe mode, you may perform clean boot to see if any service is causing this issue.

    How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note :  After troubleshooting follow Step 7: Reset the computer to start as usual 

    Method 3You may restore the settings to a previous date and time when the computer was working fine.

    System Restore

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

    Method 4You may check if the issue exists in a new user account.

    Create a user account

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Create-a-user-account

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-29T13:42:22+00:00

    OMG, That totally worked! Thank you thank you thank you! I couldn't figure out what the heck I had done through the control panel.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-08T19:18:56+00:00

    What kind of Black Magic is this?! The Ecs key totally worked! I clicked and held on an affected icon, hit the ECS key and now drag and drop works!

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-10-29T00:16:54+00:00

    Mine is almost the same... when i read the answer of Prophet Zarquon i tried to do it but it didnt work, until i accidentally click the left mouse button and pop out the menu and i try to click the undo rename and redo rename option.... after that drag and drop goes back... Still lots of thanks to Prophet Zarquon. ㋡

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments