Can't drag and drop images as layers - is there a workaround?

[Naomi3057290979r0]

Hi all,

I'm just starting out trying to use layers and following tutorials on Youtube, and one tutorial has shown me how to create a background and a brush layer - then advises you only have to drag and drop a photo in your files onto it to create another layer.

Nope.

I googled the problem and there are two "fixes" I've encountered - one the "regedit" fix here, and the other going in and unselecting "run as admin".

I've done both of these and still no ability to drag and drop. I've been trying various solutions I found on Youtube for literally an hour and a half and I am practically pulling my hair out in clumps.

I'm on a PC laptop, running Windows 11.

If it's somehow impossible for me to enable this function, is there any other way to add a photo from my files as a new layer instead of opening up an entirely new tab for it? At the moment it looks like I can't use layers in the way they are supposed to be used at all because I can't do something as simple as click and drag images. It is EXTREMELY frustrating.

Much thanks in advance!

(Sorry if I sound snappy. I'm running on adrenaline, frustration and fury! I hate it when computers don't do as they're told...)

[Lumigraphics]

I have never seen this issue on Mac or Windows. I do product photography and drag layers between documents all the time.

[SERGE_CONCIERGE]

Hi, 
Started to have this same issue a few days ago.
I realized that ,in my case, it happened when the source and the destination working space don't match even if I accept the mismatch warning. The only solution is the convert the profile of the source prior to the "drag and drop".

Not really a fix, but it works for me. Hope it helps 

[Tyee38649187csm2]

Start by looking at the file tab at the top and make sure that quick mask isn't turned on. If it is, press the "Q" key and turn it off. 

[clyne_L]

Windows+R then type regedit

go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Change EnableLUA value from 1 to 0

reboot your pc

[charmander4444]

wow, Photoshop Beta turned into a POS and now I open 2025 just for this to happen 🙂 🙂 🙂 Do I have to go back to CS6 for this to work?

[The_Mr_Phoenix · Accepted solution]

I had the same issue and I've tried literally everything but nothing worked until i found this video

https://youtu.be/_H0k753olqY?si=jt6hZRiHGCnArayD

Do it and thank me later 

[DillWood]

This issue is such a joke. Still there in 2025. And all you find on this stupid forum is defensive gaslighting by members who worship the brand. Only apple is worse in the brainwash department.

[ElPi ngas]

Fast forward 2025. The same issue keeps happening.

As the other user pointed out in the Youtube he linked. Editing the registry fixes it, which turns out to just be a more complicated way of disabling UAC (User Account Control) through Window's Control Panel.

I think since I moved this SSD from a PC to a notebook, Windows security may have detected the change and somewhat screwed my previous setting of disabling UAC. So, maybe that's the culprit for not being able to drag and drop images.

Anyway, if you're a tad tech savier than the average soccer mom, you'll probably be just fine disabling that annoying prompt whenever you try to do something in your computer.

The regedit path is

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Set EnableLUA to 0 and restart the computer.