Forum Discussion
Win11 Can't drag files into open app windows on taskbar
Dragging a file from File Explorer and dropping it onto an app icon on the taskbar no longer brings the app window to the foreground. The cursor displays a blocked indicator, preventing users from quickly opening the file by dragging and dropping it onto the app.
Restarting File Explorer does not resolve this issue. While this behavior is inconsistent, it is common in third-party apps.
1 Reply
The blocked pointer means Windows or the target is rejecting the drop; restarting Explorer alone will not distinguish the cause. First open one affected app normally, not with Run as administrator, and drag a supported file directly into its visible window. Explorer normally runs at standard integrity, and Windows security prevents lower-integrity processes from sending some interactions to an elevated target. If direct drag works only after removing the app’s compatibility setting to run elevated, that is the cause; do not elevate Explorer as a workaround. Next drag a text file into Notepad directly, then repeat by hovering over Notepad’s taskbar icon. If that works, update the third-party apps because each target must advertise and process supported drop formats. If every target fails, perform a clean boot and test a new local profile. If a clean profile also fails, report the build through Feedback Hub.
