Annoying problem

This is what I do in situations like this.  I have short actions, triggered by function keys, that set and reset my most used workspaces.  I use three large screens, so panels are spread out, so when it will save me some time I move the panel close to where I need it, and when done, I hit F5 to reset the workspace.  I do the same thing on a MacBook Pro, and when I reset the workspace on that, it is as near instant as makes no difference.

Have you tried just turning off transform controls? Otherwise there isn't a fix.

Thanks but it doesn't really help when you have 10 things named Rectangle etc. It's equally as combersom as going to the layers panel

Select the first object, hold down Shift, right click the second object, and select it in the popup. This will add the second object to your selection.