Drag and Drop Functionality for Opening Documents Disabled in InDesign 20.0 on Windows 10

[KSC321]

With every old version of InDesign it was possible to open documents by dragging them onto the InDesign interface. With InDesign 20.0 this isn´t possible anymore if the "Start-Screen" is disabled in the preferences or a different file is already open. So even by enableling the "Start-Screen" you can´t open a second file via drag and drop.

I am working on a Windows 10 based Terminal Server.

And yes, I am aware that I can open a document by double-clicking or using the menu. But I have gotten used to opening by drag and drop, it's the easiest way for me and I can't figure out why this no longer works in the new version. So if anyone could help I would be grateful. Drives me nuts.

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @KSC321,

I’ve tested the drag and drop functionality in InDesign 20.0, and it’s working fine on my end. Could you let me know if this issue occurs with a specific file or all InDesign documents? 

Also, does this seem related to the issue discussed in this community post? [Unable to open InDesign file after 2025 update](https://adobe.ly/4hfeaZZ).

Looking forward to your response!

Thanks, 

Abhishek Rao

[KSC321]

Hi Adhishek Rao,

thank you for taking an interest. it´s the same with every InDesign Document. As soon as I disable "Show Start Screen if no Document is open" (sorry I don´t know the exact wording, because I´m working with a german Version) I can drag a file to the interface and drop them but nothing happens. They just don´t open. No error message or something, just nothing.
I can open the document via the menu. No Problem there. Even double clicking in the explorer works.
My colleagues are experiencing the same issue, so it´s not just me. Don´t know what it could be.
I read the thread you linked before posting this one, but couldn´t find something that would fix my Problem with this particular InDesign Version.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @KSC321,

Thank you for the update and for clarifying the situation.

It sounds like this behavior is consistent across all your InDesign documents, and it's happening for your colleagues as well. I appreciate you pointing out the behavior with the "Show Start Screen if no Document is open" setting.

Based on what you've described, this issue might be similar to the one discussed in another community thread: [Unable to Open InDesign File After 2025 Update](https://adobe.ly/40gLn0Y).

Could you please take a look at the details in that thread and let me know if the issue seems similar to what you're experiencing?

Looking forward to your response!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[chapter4abcdefg]

we have the same problem with a windows 10 machine and Indesign 24.0 (2025)

No drag&drop from file explorer to the application frame is possible to open documents or place images within a document. There is a "+" indicator at the cursor, but after releasing the mouse button, nothing happens.

It works with the same documents and system in Indesign 2024 and before.

[leo.r]

Here's another discussion on the subject (the OP there also uses Windows):

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesing-2025-does-not-support-drag-and-drop-to-...