Drag and drop is the quickest way to move files, attach documents to emails, rearrange items, and move text in Windows 11. You click something, hold the button, move it where you want it, and let go. There are also a few modifier keys that change what happens when you drop, plus touchpad and touchscreen versions. This guide covers all of it and how to fix drag and drop when it stops working.
Quick answer
Click and hold the file, icon, or selected text, move the pointer to the destination while still holding the button, and release. Hold Ctrl while dropping to copy, Shift to move, or Alt to create a shortcut.
How to drag and drop files
- Open File Explorer and find the file or folder.
- Click it and hold down the left mouse button. To drag several items, select them first with Ctrl + click or Shift + click.
- Move the pointer to the destination: another folder, the desktop, a folder in the left pane, or another window.
- A small label near the pointer shows what will happen, such as Move to Documents or Copy to USB Drive.
- Release the mouse button.
By default, dragging within the same drive moves the file, and dragging to a different drive, such as a USB flash drive, copies it.
Control whether it copies or moves
| Hold while dropping | Result |
|---|---|
| Ctrl | Copy |
| Shift | Move |
| Alt | Create a shortcut |
| Nothing | Move on the same drive, copy to a different drive |
You can also drag with the right mouse button. When you release, a menu asks whether to copy, move, or create a shortcut. This is the safest option when you’re not sure what will happen.
Drag files between two windows
Open two File Explorer windows side by side. Drag a window to the left edge of the screen, then pick the second window from the suggestions to snap it to the right. Now drag files from one to the other. You can also drop files onto a File Explorer tab or onto a folder name in the address bar.
Drag files into apps
- Email: Drag a file from File Explorer into a new message in Outlook or a web email to attach it.
- Browsers: Drop a file onto an upload box on a website.
- Taskbar: Drag a file over an app’s taskbar icon and hold it there. The app’s window opens, and you can drop the file into it.
- Office apps: Drop a picture into Word or PowerPoint to insert it. See how to drag and drop a Word document.
Drag and drop text
Select text in Word, an email, or many other apps, then click inside the highlighted text and drag it to a new spot. It moves the text. Hold Ctrl while dropping to copy it instead. You can also drag text between some apps, such as from a browser into Word.
On a touchpad
- Press the touchpad’s left button (or the bottom-left area) and hold, then move the pointer with another finger.
- Or tap twice and keep your finger down on the second tap, then slide to drag. Release to drop.
If tap-and-drag doesn’t work, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Taps and turn on Tap twice and drag to multi-select.
On a touchscreen
Press and hold an item until it lifts slightly, then slide your finger to the destination and lift it. Pressing and holding without moving opens the right-click menu instead.
If drag and drop isn’t working
- Press Esc. A drag that got stuck can block new ones. Press Esc, then try again.
- Restart File Explorer. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click Windows Explorer, and choose Restart.
- Check admin apps. Windows blocks dragging from a normal app into one running as administrator. Open both apps the same way.
- Check permissions. You can’t drop files into protected folders, such as Program Files, without admin rights.
- Try a different mouse or touchpad setting. Update your mouse or touchpad driver if dragging is unreliable everywhere.
- Restart your PC.
Need to move files to or from a USB drive?
Related: Fix keyboard delay in Windows 11.
Related: Play MKV files on Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cancel a drag?
Press Esc before releasing the mouse button, or drag the item back to where it started.
Did I just move or copy my file?
Check the original location. If the file is still there, it was copied. Press Ctrl + Z right away to undo either action.
Can I drag files to the taskbar to pin them?
Dragging a file to an app icon opens that app’s window so you can drop it there. To pin apps, right-click them and choose Pin to taskbar.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.