How to Fix Windows 11 Can't Drag and Drop

Lots of Windows 11 users are unhappy with Microsoft’s decision on cancelling the drag and drop support for taskbar. Some even want to roll back to Windows 10 since they find Windows 11 can't drag and drop and this greatly affect the way they use the computer on a daily basis. After upgrading to Windows 11, users are no longer able to drag and drop files onto the taskbar (or onto an app pined there). Besides, they can't pin an app to the taskbar by just dragging and dropping its icon.

Drag and Drop Not Working in Windows 11 Is Not a Bug

Some people suspect that drag and drop not working Windows 11 taskbar is a bug in the new operating system. However, Microsoft responds that it's not a known issue in Windows 11; it confirmed Windows 11 can't drag and drop files to the taskbar.

Microsoft responded in a post on Feedback Hub:

Currently, dragging a file onto an app in the taskbar to open it in that app is not supported in Windows 11, but we appreciate all your feedback, and we’ll continue to use it to help guide the future of features like this.

How to Fix Windows 11 Can't Drag and Drop

1. Use Alt + Tab Shortcut

Using the Alt + Tab menu is a wonderful choice for Windows 11 drag and drop not working fix.

1. Navigate to the file or folder that you plan to drag and drop.
2. Select the file/folder. Then, press and hold your left mouse button.
3. Drag the file/folder a little to put it in grab mode.
4. Press Alt + Tab while keeping grabbing the file or folder to view all the apps opening in the taskbar.
5. Keep pressing the Alt Meanwhile, hit the Tab key repeatedly to switch between the available apps.
6. Release Alt and Tab keys when you select the app you need.
7. Also, release the left click when you’re inside the desired window to drop the file or folder there.
8. You can use cut & paste instead when you want to move a file/folder from one place to another.

2. Open Two Windows Side by Side

1. Open the windows (folders or applications) on which you plan to perform the drag and drop action.
2. Arrange these two windows to put them side by side.
3. Navigate to the source folder and click & hold on the file/folder you want to drag.
4. Drag the file or folder across the window and then release to drop it.

3. Edit the Registry

Attention: the Start button, the Search button, and the Cortana button will no longer be accessible from Windows 11 taskbar after you applied this fix.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type regedit and click OK.
3. Go to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages.
4. Right-click on the empty area in the right pane and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name it as UndockingDisabled and double-click on it.
6. Change the Value data from 0 to 1 and click OK.
7. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

That’s how to fix the problem when finding drag and drop not working in Windows 11.