Windows operating system was developed to be simple for users that it is mostly built with a drag and drop feature compared to linux operating system.
Windows drag and drop functionality can be used to interact with files and folders easily and quickly. You can move items to any location you want.
However, the drag-and-drop feature on Windows 11 may at times face problems. Users facing Windows 11 drag and drop not working issue.
One may feel, an alternative could be using the keyboard shortcuts to perform the required tasks – CTRL+X and CTRL+V. However, this is not seamless, and not everyone would be comfortable with this.
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Best Methods to Fix Windows 11 Drag and Drop Not Working
So below contains some of the best ways to fix Windows 11 drag and drop not working issue, alongside some of the reasons why the drag and drop functionality of Windows 11 may stop working.
1. Restart the Software or App
If the drag and drop function not working is a specific software related issue, then you just need to restart the app, or force stop it. This can be done with Task Manager or Resource Manager system app. Below contains the quick guide for resource manager.
- Click on the Windows search and type in Resource Manager. Then open the app from the list.
- Next, when the Resource Manager opens, right-click on the app with the drag-and-drop issue, then select ‘End Process’.
- By doing this, all the process relating to the application will be closed. So now you can relaunch it again.
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This is how to restart a problematic app to fix drag and drop not working on Windows 11.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
Yes, it is safe to restart Windows file explorer, you are not suspending it, so it is safe. So by doing so, Windows 11 drag and drop not working could be resolved quickly. Here’s how to safely do this.
- Click on the Windows search and type in Task Manager. Then open the app from the list.
- Next, when the Task Manager opens, right-click on the app with the drag-and-drop issue, then select ‘Restart’.
- By doing this, all the process relating to the application will be closed. So now you can relaunch it again.
3. Confirm Mouse Surface
Sometimes, drag-and-drop not working could be a simple problem such as the surface the mouse is being used on is not good enough. If that’s the case, consider purchasing a mouse pad to be used as the surface for placing your mouse. This will prevent unnecessary skipping of the mouse cursor when you’re utilizing Windows drag and drop feature.
4. Confirm Mouse Battery Life
If the mouse you make use of is rechargeable, it could be that the battery is low which could result to the mouse unable to perform certain tasks. It will also slow the responsiveness of the mouse, thereby, preventing whatever you’re doing such as drag and drop on Windows 11. So charge up the mouse battery so it is fully charged before retrying.
5. Update Mouse Drivers
If Windows 11’s drag-and-drop function is still not working, then you need to check for mouse drivers update via Device Manager, Windows update. So if Windows 11 fails to recognize your mouse, then it will be difficult to make use of it. So here’s how to update your mouse drivers if they’re outdated.
- Click on the Windows search and type in Device Manager. Then open the app from the list.
- Expand the Mice and Other pointing devices section.
- Right click on the shown connected mouse and select ‘Update driver’.
That’s how to complete the update of your mouse drivers to fix issues like drag and drop not working in Windows 11.
6. Confirm Primary Mouse Buttons
This might seem funny, but it’s not. If the primary mouse button has been switched, then you could be using the wrong mouse button for the dragging and dropping. Maybe your system is a shared system, and someone who is left-handed could have modified this, so the right button may be used for the drag and drop, instead of the left. So below is how to modify this to the default.
- Head to Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Mouse > Primary mouse button > change to ‘Left’.
- Now retry, it should begin working properly.
The Windows 11 Drag and Drop feature is easy and saves lots of time instead of making use of commands to perform simple tasks. However, as a man-made product, it is prone to malfunctions, that’s why your system could be facing drag and drop not working. So we hope this article has provide working solutions for you, if yes, leave a comment below and share with others.
