Can't move or resize frames with mouse

[edward_6471]

I am using InDesign 2025 and am experiencing a new problem that didnt exist with prior software versions. I am working off a Dell Windows PC.

I cannot move or resize text boxes, graphics frames etc using my mouse. I can only move them with arrow keys. This was never a problem before. Here is what I have tried:

1. rebooted computer

2. Made sure InDesign was at latest rev (20.0.1)

3. Tried other existing documents and new documents. Nothing worked

4. Tried turning off (snap to) guides and grids functions

5. I am not working from Master Pages and my layers and objects are not locked

6. I trashed my preferences on application startup (CTRL, Shift, Alt)

7. I even reviewed and deleted some Google Chrome extensions (not sure why that would have anything to do with it but tried that as well. This used to work with same Google extensions, havent loaded any new ones)

Any other ideas????

[edward_6471]

And I tied other mouse devices. Same problem

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @edward_6471,

Thank you for sharing the details! To better understand and resolve the issue, could you please confirm:

1. OS Details: Windows version and build.
2. PC Specs: Model and configuration.
3. Mouse: Type and model.

Additionally, please try the following:

1. Safe Mode: Boot in Safe Mode and test the issue (guide).
2. New User Account: Create a new Windows user profile and test. Reference: https://adobe.ly/3CCLGJZ
3. Other CC Apps: Check if the issue occurs in other Creative Cloud apps.

Let us know how it goes!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[edward_6471]

Thanks for the reply. First of all my computer is tightly controlled by corporate IT department so I cannot do many things. I cannot start up in Safe Mode or create new user windows profile. Given that, here are what else I tried.

1. I tried Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator files. Those applications are working fine. Only Adobe InDesign is having this issue. Adobe InDesign used to work prior to updating to 2025.

2. I am running Windows 10 Enterprise (64 bit operating system) on a Dell Precision 5480 laptop. It is using a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13800 - 2.5GHZ processor with 32 GB RAM

3. For mouse hardware I tried the embedded Dell laptop touch pad mouse, my JOMAA wireless trackball mouse, and my Logitech portable wireless mouse. All of which normally worked before.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @edward_6471,

Thank you for the detailed information! Based on your response, since the issue is specific to InDesign and occurred after the update to 2025, it may be related to the update itself. Please try below:

1. Reset InDesign Preferences: Sometimes preferences can cause issues after an update. Try resetting them by holding Ctrl + Alt + Shift while launching InDesign. A prompt will appear asking if you want to reset preferences—click Yes. Reference: https://adobe.ly/3AVRgGQ
   
   

2. Since your system is tightly controlled by corporate IT, please check if there are any restrictions placed on InDesign or Creative Cloud applications. Sometimes these restrictions can cause issues after updates.

If none of these work, we may need to dig deeper into your corporate IT environment, as it could be affecting InDesign's functionality. Let me know how these steps go!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[edward_6471]

Hello see my first detailed data about what I have tried before. I already did the preferences reset initially but that didnt cause any change. Our company has many people using Creative Cloud applications and shouldnt have any restrictions specific to InDesign. Remember everything worked fine before updating to InDesign 2025. So Adobe needs to look at its InDesign 2025 application maybe specific to Windows 10.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @edward_6471,

Thank you for the additional details! Since you’ve already tried resetting preferences and confirmed there are no specific restrictions, it seems like the issue could indeed be related to InDesign 2025 itself, possibly in combination with Windows 10.

To help us investigate further, could you please share a sample file where this issue occurs? Additionally, if possible, a screen recording demonstrating the problem would be really helpful for us to better understand what's happening.

Looking forward to your response!

Best,
Abhishek Rao  

[edward_6471]

I can probably send the file to a private email. I wouldnt want to post to a forum.

Not sure how to provide a screen recording if you have any recommendations on that.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @edward_6471,

Thank you for your response! You can share the sample file with me via Direct Message here on the community. Simply click on my name, and you’ll have the option to message me directly. 

For the screen recording, you can use any screen recording software (such as QuickTime for Mac or the Xbox Game Bar for Windows) to capture the issue. Once recorded, you can upload the video as well.

Looking forward to your message!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@edward_6471

What if you downgrade to 20.0?

[edward_6471]

I originally tried 20.0 when the problem existed. Then I updated to the latest rev 20.0.1 to try and fix it but didnt fix it.

[edward_6471]

Here is a new wrinkle. I found an InDesign brochure file from 2021. I opened it in InDesign 2025. Same problem

Then I opened the file in InDesign 2024 but still had the same problem so that is strange.

I can select a frame or box with any mouse but can't resize or move the box. I can move the box with keyboard arrow keys. No mouse will let me move or resize it. Any ideas?

Photoshop and Illustrator applications do not have this problem.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@edward_6471

On Macs disabling Magnet software helps - maybe you have something similar on Windows?

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/problem-with-swatch-pallette/m-p/14999105#M59898...

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @edward_6471,

Thank you for sharing the InDesign file and the screen recording.

I’ve tested the file on my end, and I’m able to move the frames without any issues. It appears to be working fine here.

I would recommend reaching out to your system admin to test the issue with a safe boot. There may be another application on your system that is conflicting with InDesign, and performing a safe boot will help us isolate whether any background apps are causing the problem.

Once tested, please let me know the outcome, and we can take it from there.

Looking forward to your update!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[edward_6471]

Well I have a resolution, albeit not optimum. After testing InDesign from the start menu and the taskbar we found out the only thing that works correctly is starting InDesign from the Creative Cloud app. For some reason starting InDesign from the computer start menu or taskbar does not load some kind of permission or startup background data that Creative Cloud does. So that is my workaround for now.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @edward_6471,

Thank you for the update! I'm glad to hear you've found a workaround by launching InDesign through the Creative Cloud app.

It sounds like there might be a permission or background process issue when starting InDesign from the taskbar or start menu. While the workaround is helpful, I would still recommend trying the safe boot option to rule out any conflicting background apps. This step can help ensure that nothing else on your system is causing the issue, and it could provide more insight into the root cause.

If you continue facing challenges after testing the safe boot, feel free to reach out, and we can explore other solutions.

Thank you for your patience, and I hope this workaround continues to serve you well!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao