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
    2015-06-02T08:11:35+00:00

    Thank you, this helped me out on Windows 8.1 too

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-02T01:21:05+00:00

    PZ works well...thanks for the tips.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-17T14:18:52+00:00

    Just pressing the Esc button worked for me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-17T23:49:49+00:00

    OMG, this was it.  The answer is too darn simple!

    Thanks for reporting and documenting both, the problem and resolution!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments