13 Methods to Repair Windows 11: Drag and Drop Is Not Working

You are having difficulty using drag-and-drop on the desktop or File Explorer? This article will provide you with several solutions to the problem of drag-and drop in Windows 11 and 10.

Drag and Drop is an essential tool for moving objects around on a personal computer. There are many possible reasons why drag and drop can malfunction. The following options will assist you if the gesture isn’t working as it does in Windows 11/10.

1. The Drag and Drop Gesture can be reset

Resetting the gesture is a fast way to resolve the problem of drag and dropping files and folders from the Desktop Area or File Explorer. This is how to do it:

1. Hold the folder or file you wish to drag by clicking left-clickin.
2. Press Esc Click on the keyboard.

3. Use the mouse to release the left button.

2. Restart Explorer and Open Task Manager

Start the Windows File Management System If the drag-and drop problem continues despite pressing the button, Esc key. This can be achieved via the Windows Task Manager.

1. Right-click the Start button Choose and Task Manager.

2. Under Windows Explorer, select the Processes tab.
3. Select the Restart The button is located at the bottom left of your window.

4. It will temporarily disappear the desktop icons and taskba.
5. Leave the Task manager.

3. You can quit and restart the application

Drag and drop may fail to function for one application, but it could be due to a bug in the software that can only be corrected by restarting. You can be as thorough as you like by closing the program and any other processes through the Task manager before opening it again.

If the problem continues, try to update the application. You can either look for an update option built into the application or visit the developer’s site to get the latest version.

4. Reboot Your Computer

If the above quick fixes fail, you can restart your computer. The reboot removes all obsolete information from your system memory. It is a simple but very effective method to solve many minor glitches. You can save your work and then open the program again Start menu, Power > Restart If you don’t have it already.

5. Windows 11 and 10 Updates

Windows 11 and 10 updates may include bug fixes that fix persistent drag&drop problems on your computer. Check this link to see if Windows update is available:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.

Select the Install Click the button to notify you if any cumulative updates or quality issues are still pending. Next, go to Advanced options >> Optional updates Or select View optional updates In Windows 10, install the latest Microsoft touchpad and mouse drivers.

6. Take out and install the mouse driver

In Windows 11 and 10, drag and drop can not work if the touchpad or mouse driver is corrupt. You can fix this issue by reinstalling the driver through the Device Manager.

1. Right-click the Start button Choose andDevice Manager.
2. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices and Human Interface Devices categories.
3. Right-click HID-compliant mouse/touchpad Choose and Uninstall device.

4. Select Uninstall to confirm.
5. Start your computer again. If your touchpad or mouse is not working, press the “Restart” button Ctrl + Alt + Delete Make sure to use this Tab and Enter Keys to choose Power > Restart. . Windows will automatically install the drivers for your mouse when it restarts.

7. Make sure your mouse/trackpad software is up to date

Third-party driver software, such as Logi Options and Razer Synapse for your mouse/trackpad, may have customization options that might interfere or conflict the drag-anddrop gesture. Check for any customization options that could affect or conflict with the drag-and-drop gesture.

8. Start the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter

Windows 11 and 10 come with a hardware troubleshooter built in that automatically fixes problems related to your trackpad and mouse. To run it:

1. Right-click the Start button Choose and Run. Windows Key + R.
2. The following command can be copied and pasted into the Run dialog:

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

3. Press Enter.
4. Select Advanced Make sure to check the box in front of you Apply repairs automatically.

5. Select Next To fix hardware issues on your computer, follow the suggestions and instructions displayed on-screen.

9. Use the Left Mouse Button to Test It

You might be having trouble dragging things around Windows because of a malfunctioning left mouse button. You can test this by pressing and holding the button harder than normal. If this “fixes the problem”, it is likely the button has failed. You should still be eligible to receive a replacement if the warranty on your mouse has expired. Or, Get a brand new mouse.

10. Drag and Drop Registry Entries Can Be Fixed

Do you notice a delay in the time it takes for an item to start sticking to your cursor when drag-and drop is happening? Programs could modify the registry settings for drag-and drop without authorization. You can check them and then fix them:

1. Open a Run box, type regedit, OK.
2. Copy the folder path from the registry editor window’s address bar and hit the “Enter” button Enter: :

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

3. Select the Desktop folder.
4. Double-click the DragHeight and DragWidth Registry entries are located on the right pan.

5. Both entries should contain a value 4. OK.

6. Close the Registry Editor.

11. Do an SFC or DISM Scan

Stability issues can cause Windows 11 and 10 installations to experience problems. This could lead to basic Windows operations such as drag and drop not working properly.

You will need to use two command-line tools built into the system: System File checker and the DISM tool (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) –via elevated Windows PowerShell console or Command Prompt consol.

1. Open the Power User Menu Choose andWindows Terminal/PowerShell (Admin). cmd Press the Run button and place it in a box Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Select Yes Click the UAC (User Account Control), pop-up.
3. The following commands should be executed one after the next:

• sfc /scannow
• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

12. Malware detection: Scan your Computer

Malicious Windows viruses and programs often hijack drag-and-drop features. So make sure to install one Specialized malware removal software Scan your computer for any potentially harmful programs. This is how you can use the free version Malwarebytes : :

1. Use Open Malwarebytes to find and remove malware Scanner.

2. Go to Advanced scanners > Configure scan Make sure to check out the boxes below Scan memory objects,, Scan registry and startup items, Scan within archives.C.

3. Select Scan Perform a comprehensive malware check.

13. Clean Boot Your Windows Installation

Clear boot Windows 11 and 10 to find any third-party software or startup programs that might interfere with drag-and-drop functionality. How to do this:

1. Type services.msc Press the Run button and place it in a box Enter.
2. Make sure to check the box beside Hide all Microsoft services Choose and Disable all.

3. Switch to the Task Manager by opening the Task Manager Startup tab.
4. Use the following to highlight and deactivate all non-Microsoft start programs Publisher Column for Referenc.

5. Start your computer again

Clean booting Windows will fix drag and drop. To isolate the problem, you can reactivate startup programs and services in groups.

Is There Anything More You Can Do?

Windows Drag-and-drop problems are relatively easy to solve. Sometimes, a quick fix is simply pressing the Esc key or restarting Windows Explorer. There are no additional solutions if the above options don’t work Factory reset Windows 10 or 11.

Drag-and-drop problems don’t just happen on the computer. Here’s what you can do if your Mac is also running drag-and-drop MacOS allows drag-and-drop .