Solved move desktop icons without opening them

[Keithuk]

Hi guys.

I've searched for this problem on here and Google but nothing useful shows.

I've had a little problem for a few weeks. When I install a new app which puts a short-cut icon on the desktop. I need to move that icon to another location. As soon as I slowly click that icon and I slowly click it to drag it to another location it opens up every time. I have to use Task Manager to end task it.

I've changed the mouse properties in Control Panel from fast to slow but that makes no difference. I've done a Malwarebytes and virus scan and all clear.

My desktop icons are set align icons to grid, auto arrange icons isn't check as I want to arrange my icons myself.

There is a YouTube video that says select the icon an press Esc escape to move it but that doesn't wok.

I sometimes have another slight problem with the desktop icons when I startup the bottom line sometimes moves up a line all other icons stop where they are supposed too and I have to move them all down. This doesn't happen very often.

Any suggestions?

 

[Megahertz07]

To move an icon shortcut (or file, folder etc) to another location, with the mouse make a window to select. Once selected, Ctrl+x.
Go to destination folder and do a Ctrl+v

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Go to the Control Panel and click on Folder Options. In the window that pops up, in the General tab, check under Click Items As Follows to see if Single-click is selected. If it is, change it to Double-click, click on Apply ant the bottom, then click on OK. That should allow you to click and drag your icons without opening your programs. However, anytime you want to open a folder or file, you will have to double-click on it if you had been single-clicking before.

 

[Lance1]

I use X-Mouse Button Control to configure and control my mouse behavior. It's an awesome piece of software. I have my left button set for "Sticky Left Button [Click - Drag]" Left click and release on any icon and then move the cursor anywhere on the desktop and the icon will follow then left click again to release. Try it and see if it works for you.

Click here to see it work----> Recordit: Record screencasts fast & free! with GIF Support!

 

[Keithuk]

Thank you for the replies guys.

Go to the Control Panel and click on Folder Options. In the window that pops up, in the General tab, check under Click Items As Follows to see if Single-click is selected. If it is, change it to Double-click, click on Apply ant the bottom, then click on OK. That should allow you to click and drag your icons without opening your programs. However, anytime you want to open a folder or file, you will have to double-click on it if you had been single-clicking before.

I check Folder Options and in the General tab to Double-click was selected. I changed it to Single-click and tried it and it still opens the app. I put it back to Double-click and it still does the same.

As for using the X-Mouse button control I don't really see the need to install another app just for the mouse as the standard control as worked ok for years.

Happy New Year.

 

[Eric3742]

Hi

For X-Mouse Button Control you do not need that icon on the desktop.

Go to the right side of the taskbar, and click on the arrow.

There, the mouse icon is available as mine version 2.14


I had moved all my icons on the desktop to a folder.

Right-click and copy, go to the folder, paste.

You need to ensure the mouse setting to use Double click.
To select some icons, press+hold the Ctrl key, select those icons you want to move.
Then right-click on any of those icons selected, select Copy.
Go to the folder, do Paste
Go back to the desktop, right-click Delete.
For permanent deletion, press+hold the Shift key and select Delete.
Finally go to mouse setting and select Single click, as you want to.


Eric.

 

[Mellon Head]

As soon as I slowly click that icon and I slowly click it to drag it to another location it opens up every time.

(Emphasis mine)

Are you clicking it twice to move it? It sounds like you are by that statement. There is no need to click twice. Just click the mouse button once and hold it down, then drag the icon to where you want it to be and let it go. Presto, your icon is moved.

 

[MoxieMomma]

As soon as I slowly click that icon and I slowly click it to drag it to another location it opens up every time.

(Emphasis mine)

Are you clicking it twice to move it? It sounds like you are by that statement. There is no need to click twice. Just click the mouse button once and hold it down, then drag the icon to where you want it to be and let it go. Presto, your icon is moved.

(Emphasis mine)
Yep, unless I misunderstand what the OP is trying to do (which is always possible), I think you've hit the nail on the head.
It's press-and-hold on that left mouse button, que no?

If that's not working, then there might be an entirely different underlying problem.

MM

 

[MoxieMomma]

ALSO:

Perhaps have a look here, with solution by YoYo155:
My Drag And Drop Function Is Not Working!

Right-click on a file and hold the mouse button down.
While the the mouse is still pressed hit the Esc key.
​

Is the functionality restored?

Just a thought,
MM

 

[Keithuk]

I use a single slow click on the short-cut then I try and drag it to another location but the app starts. Last night I changed the folder name just added a 2 at the end. Then I could drag the short-cut anywhere then I removed the 2.

Today I can drag any short-cut anywhere without the app starting. Its just a crazy Windows system. I will see how it goes for a few days.

Happy New Year to everyone.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

It's not really a "click" (slow or fast, single or double).
To drag-and-drop, it's a press-and-hold with the left mouse button.
Did you try the fix HERE?

In any event, it sounds as if your issue is resolved.

Thanks for taking the time to let us know.

Cheers,

MM

 

[Keithuk]

Ok guys this problem came back over the last month, you can't drag desktop icons without them opening. My old mouse is Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 1850 which I bought from PC World a few years ago. So I thought that could be the problem as dragging icons with the touch pad worked ok.

I searched for Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 1850 - Black on PC World £14.99 and there show it.

https://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/comp...ess-mobile-mouse-1850-black-10022930-pdt.html

Even though PC World doesn't exist as it was taken over by Curry's.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...ess-mobile-mouse-1850-black-10022930-pdt.html

So I went down to Curry's. They had a Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 1850 - Black on display. A sales guy came over to see if I was Ok. I said I will have one of these, he said we don't have any and can't get any. Which store shows items on display that they can't provide beats me, a special last item ok.

I explained my problem and he said Microsoft are good for software but the hardware isn't that good.

I said I wanted a black mouse no one of these multi coloured ones and a similar shape to the Microsoft. He suggested LogiTech M171 £12.99 it was £2 cheaper. It must take the same AA battery as I use rechargeable battery's. I bought that one. Now I can drag icons anywhere I want to without the them opening.

I did search fleabay for Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 1850 and they started from £10.19 new.