Files is running as administrator - Due to platform limitations, drag and drop isn't available when running Files as administrator.

[MATTPASSIONFORTECH]

Description

"I keep getting an error message whenever I try to open Files on my computer. This is preventing me from being able to drag and drop files, and it's becoming quite frustrating. Does anyone know of a workaround or a way to fix this bug? I want to find a solution to fix this issue. Keep in mind that using the Microsoft Store version of Files. Update: The same issues occur with Files Stable (Classic installer).

Steps To Reproduce

How do I fix this?

Requirements

• e.g. Fix crash that occurs when...

Files Version

3.1.1.0

Windows Version

23H2 22631.3078

Log File

Files.bug.mp4

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report. Make sure UAC (User Account Control) is not set to never notify.

[yaira2]

Thank you for your feedback, this is a limitation in WinAppSdk where drag & drop causes a crash when the app is running as admin. You can work around this limitation by re-enabling UAC on your device.

[ThisIsDelicious]

Thank you for your feedback, this is a limitation in WinAppSdk where drag & drop causes a crash when the app is running as admin. You can work around this limitation by re-enabling UAC on your device.

There has to be a better way to prevent Files from running as Administrator. Enabling UAC is quite extreme. I'm still looking for a solution.

[Josh65-2201]

There isn't, With UAC off Windows will open everything as admin, same as if you right clicked > run as admin

[ThisIsDelicious]

There isn't, With UAC off Windows will open everything as admin, same as if you right clicked > run as admin

That's unfortunate. Thanks for the info, I wasn't aware.

[yaira2]

Microsoft recently announced they are working on a fix for drag and dropping tabs. This is certainly a step in the right direction, and it gives us hope that it will be fixed for other drag & drop scenarios as well.

[Iomegan]

Months have passed, but looks like the bug still persists. :(

[0x5bfa]

FWIW, when your user account is part of Administrators group (it's by default from OOBE) and UAC is completely disabled, a certain Windows drag and drop handler still misunderstands that the app is running as privileged process token.

We already worked on the preparation to be able to enjoy that fix/update Microsoft made but there's an increase crash in that version and we're waiting for further updates. I think it's almost there.