Multiple file selection question

Hello,

let's say I have multiple files with different filename lengths displayed in Details view mode, e.g.

filename1.txt
filename2-longer.txt
filename3.txt
filename4-longer.txt

In XP in Detail view, I could drag my mouse over the longer bits of the filenames to multi-select only those files (i.e. filename2 and filename4).

In 7 however, mouse drag automatically selects the entire line, so basically it forces me to select all four files.

Is there a way for me to restore the XP mouse drag function? I am already aware of the checkbox option which is not feasible when I have several hundred files.