Countless users have claimed Windows Explorer crashes on drag and drop. It’s pertinent to mention drag and drop is a common function on Windows Operating System. This feature assists in organizing your folders, files using only the mouse movements and clicks.
Since it’s a basic Windows function and if somehow this function is not working it may create a lot of nuisance. It’s pertinent to mention several users are facing this issue after upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 in particular. However, Windows technicians have claimed that the root cause for the issue is Windows Explorer corruption, thus when the users try to use this function Explorer stats crashing.
But it’s noteworthy to mention apart from Explorer corruption there are several factors that manifest the issue. Some of the prominent reasons have been listed below:
#. Corrupted Mouse Driver: You are most likely to face this issue if you have obsolete mouse driver.
#. Third Party Software Interference: Often times the user face such inconvenience due to the interference of third party software.
#. If the Windows is still in the middle of your last drag and drop action.
#. Corrupted System files: If your system files are not intact, you may face the above mention issue.
Well these were some of the culprits that manifests the issue, but don’t panic the issue can be resolved easily.
Methods to follow if Explorer crashes when dragging files
Method 1: Restart the File Explorer
In order to fix the issue, we suggest you to restart File Explorer process. To proceed follow the below mention steps:
Step 1: Open Windows Task Manager (press Ctrl + Alt + Delete together)
Step 2: Open Details tab and find for explorer.exe process > right-click on explorer.exe, then select End process tree. At this point, your desktop should disappear.
Step 3: Now open File tab and select Run new task > enter explorer and click OK > the explorer.exe process should restart now, thus returning the desktop to its previous state.
Method 2: Update to the latest Windows Version
If you are running an outdated Windows you may face the issue, so update Windows to the latest version.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Settings > navigate to Update & Security
Step 2: Select Windows Update from the left pane
Step 3: Click Check for Updates
Windows will search and install any available updates, once done then see if the issue resolved or not.
Method 3: Run SFC and DISM Scans
Windows provides two utility tools; these tools will repair your system files. To proceed with the method follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: In the Search menu, enter Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
Step 2: Afterwards, type in sfc/scannow, press Enter to launch the scan
Step 3: Don’t close the command prompt window until the scan is not completed. The length of the scan will depend on your total system resources.
Note that if the SFC Scan fails to resolve your issue, we suggest you to run DISM Scan. To do so, again open the Command Prompt with admin rights, then enter the following command and press Enter key.
Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image0/ScanHealth
Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth
Method 4: Run Hardware & Devices Troubleshooter
In this method we suggest you to run hardware & devices troubleshooter, to proceed use the following steps:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt with admin privileges> type in msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
Step 2: Press Enter > Click Advanced > Apply repairs automatically > click Next
Method 5: Make Windows forget the Last Drag and Drop
Oftentimes, your system is still processing the last drag and drop process, stopping you from initiating a new drag and drop event. But thankfully, you can easily fix it without having to restart your PC or configure our system settings.
In the File Explorer, click any file or folder and hold the left button on your mouse. Then press the Esc key.
Method 6: Clear File Explorer Cache
Several users have claimed that clearing the File Explorer cache resolved their issue. To proceed follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: Use Windows + S keys to open Search, type File Explorer Options in the text field and click on the relevant search
Step 2: Now click on the Clear button next to Clear File Explorer history
Method 7: Modify Registry Entries
If you are reading this, it means you are still facing the above mention issue, to resolve the trouble modify the Registry Entries.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Use Windows + R keys to open Run utility box> then type in regedit and select OK
Step 2: Paste the following folder path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window and press Enter key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Step 3: Select the Desktop folder > double-click the DragHeight and DragWidth registry entries on the right pane
Step 4: Ensure that both entries have a value data of 4, if not, modify them and select OK
Method 8: Clean Boot your Windows Installation
We suggest you to clean boot your PC, it will surely resolve the above mention issue. To do so follow the below mention guidelines:
Step 1: First of all type services.msc in the Run utility box and press Enter > Then check the box just next to Hide all Microsoft Services and select Disable all
Step 2: Open the Task Manager and switch to the Startup tab > Highlight and disable all non-Microsoft startup programs (use the Publisher column for reference).
Step 3: Finally Restart your PC
Method 9: Remove and Reinstall Mouse Drivers
Once of the prominent reason for facing the above mention issue is outdated mouse or touchpad drivers. So we suggest you to reinstall mouse drivers.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Right-click Start button and select Device Manager > expand the Mice and other pointing devices and Human Interface Devices categories
Step 2: Right-click HID-compliant mouse/touchpad and choose Uninstall device
Step 3: Select Uninstall to confirm > Restart your Computer > Your mouse or touchpad will not work, so press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and use the Tab and Enter keys to choose Power>Restart. Windows will automatically reinstall the mouse drivers as it reboots.
Alternatively, you can use an automatic driver tool to update your drivers if you don’t wan to struggle with the manual methods.
⇑Get Driver Tool from Here⇓
Bottom Line
That’s all about Explorer crashes on drag and drop, we have provided all the possible methods to fix this issue. Now it’s your turn to follow our guidelines. Best of luck with the fixes.
