12 quick fixes if you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10

by Milan Stanojevic

Deputy Editor

July 7, 2020

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Moving files or folders, or even paragraphs and sentences around while working on your computer is impossible when you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10.

If you’re experiencing issues with the drag and drop function on your computer, here are 12 quick fixes you can use to resolve it.

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How to fix drag and drop issues on Windows 10

1. Run DISM tool

If you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, run the DISM tool, or Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.

The DISM tool helps fix Windows corruption errors when Windows Updates and service packs fail to install due to corruption errors, like if you have a damaged system file.

Here’s how to run the DISM command on your PC to check if it helps you when you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10:

1. Click Start
2. In the search field box, type CMD
3. Click Command Prompt in the search results list
   
4. Type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
5. Type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the repair is complete, reboot your computer and check if the problem persists, after which you can run an SFC scan as described in the next solution.

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2. Run a System File Checker scan

A System File Checker scan checks or scans all protected system files, and then replaces the incorrect versions, with the genuine, correct Microsoft versions.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Click Start
2. Go to the search field box and type CMD
3. Right-click Command Prompt from search results and select Run as Administrator
   
4. Type sfc/scannow
   
5. Press Enter
6. Restart your computer

If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Learn everything there is to know about System File Checker from our detailed guide!

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3. Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes when you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10.

These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.

How to perform a clean boot

In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow these steps:

1. Go to the search box
2. Type msconfig
   
   
3. Select System Configuration
   
4. Find the Services tab
   
5. Select Hide all Microsoft services box
   
6. Click Disable all
7. Go to Startup tab
   
8. Click Open Task Manager
9. Close Task manager then click Ok
10. Reboot your computer

You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, or if the problem is gone.

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4. Install Windows Updates

If you check Windows Updates and find updates are available, install them and check if it helps fix the problem.

Follow these steps to do this:

1. Click Start
2. Go to the search field box
3. Type Updates
4. Click Check for Updates, and install all updates listed

Windows will immediately detect your system’s configuration and download appropriate ones.

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Windows can’t check for updates? No worries, here is how to fix this!

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5. Reset your PC

Performing a reset allows you to choose which files you want to keep, or remove, and then reinstalls Windows.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Click Start
2. Open Settings
   
   
3. Click Update & Security
   
4. Click Recovery on the left pane
   
5. Under Reset this PC, click Get started
6. In the blue Choose an option screen, select Keep my files option

Note: all your personal files will be deleted and settings reset. Any apps you installed will be removed, and only pre-installed apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled.

If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Save your personal data with these backup tools for Windows!

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6. Edit the registry

Here’s how to do this, but be careful to follow the instructions as they are:

1. Right-click Start
2. Select Run
   
   
3. Type regedit
4. Press Enter
5. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
   
   
6. Trace the EnableLUA key
7. Right-click EnableLUA and select Modify
   
8. Change the value from 1 to 0
   
9. Press OK
10. Restart your computer

Check if after the restart, whether the problem is gone. If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Be wise and choose a more user-friendly registry editor from this list!

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7. Run a complete scan using Microsoft Security Essentials

Install and run MSE and Windows Defender

MSE, or Microsoft Security Essentials, is a free malware removal program offered by Microsoft that protects your computer from infections.

Follow these steps to use MSE and run a full scan:

1. If you don’t have MSE installed, go to the website and install it, then proceed with the next steps
2. Click Start
3. Click All Apps
   
4. Open Microsoft Security Essentials
5. Go to the Home tab
6. Select Full scan
7. Click Scan Now

If after following these steps you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Solution 8: Uninstall and reinstall Fences

If you have Fences on your computer, try to uninstall and reinstall using the steps below:

1. Uninstall Fences
2. Remove all Stardocks files in the Program and Program Data folders using an uninstaller or delete them
3. Reinstall Fences
4. Go to View
5. Uncheck Auto Arrange Icons and Align icons to grid

Check if drag and drop are restored. If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Make this task easier by using an uninstall tool from our fresh list!

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9. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If you can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve the issue.

This checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Right-click Start
2. Select Control Panel
3. Go to the View by option on the top right corner
4. Click the drop-down arrow and select Large icons
5. Click Troubleshooting
   
6. Select Hardware and Sound
   
7. Select Configure a Device
   
8. Click Next to run the troubleshooter

Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.  The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues that may be causing the drag and drop problem.

If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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10. Uninstall and reinstall mouse drivers

Here’s how to do this:

1. Right-click Start
2. Select Device Manager
   
   
3. Expand Mice and other pointing devices to open the list
   
4. Right click the mouse device you want to remove
5. Click Uninstall
   
6. Click Yes when you get a confirmation message
7. Restart your computer. Windows automatically detects the change in your hardware.
8. Install the mouse driver
9. Check for its functionality

Note: contact your device’s manufacturer for the latest mouse drivers.

If you still can’t drag and drop in Windows 10, try the next solution.

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Use the best driver removal tool to make sure everything gets deleted!

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11. Perform a Startup Repair

Here are the steps to do this:

1. Insert the Windows installation disk or USB drive then restart your computer. You will see a message requesting you to Press any key to boot from DVD.
2. Press any key to boot from DVD
3. Once you see the Install Windows page displayed, click Repair your computer to start the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
4. In WinRE, go to Choose an option screen
5. Select your preferred language, currency, time, keyboard or other input methods
6. Click Next
7. Click Repair your computer
8. Choose the operating system you want to repair (in this case Windows 10)
9. Click Next
10. On Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot
11. Select Advanced Options
12. In the Systems Recovery Options box, select Startup Repair

Once the repair is complete, check whether the drag and drop issue goes away, then run Windows Update again to get the most recent updates.

If you’re getting any Startup Repair errors, check out this guide to fix them.

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12. Enable drag and drop using ESC key

Here’s how to use the Escape key to enable drag and drop:

1. Open File Explorer or Windows Explorer
2. Click any file and long-press the left-click mouse button
3. Press Escape key

Check if this fixes the problem.

Did any of these 12 fixes help fix the drag and drop problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been since revamped and updated in July 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.