Photoshop 2025 — Unable to drag & drop files inside the “Ctrl + O” (Open File Dialog) window

[ZAYN SAIFI]

Since the 2025 update (version 26.x), Photoshop fails to accept drag-and-drop actions inside the File > Open (Ctrl + O) dialog.
Dragging a file from Windows Explorer into the Photoshop “Open File” dialog shows the forbidden symbol (:prohibited:) and does not respond.

However:

• Drag & drop works perfectly when done directly onto the Photoshop workspace/canvas.

• The issue occurs only inside the “Open” dialog window.

This makes it impossible to quickly open images via drag-and-drop after pressing Ctrl+O, which slows down workflow for professionals.

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Steps to Reproduce:

Open Photoshop 2025 (latest version).

1. Press Ctrl + O to open the “Open File” dialog.

2. Try dragging an image from Windows Explorer into that dialog box.

3. You’ll see a red “no entry” icon and the file won’t drop.

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Expected Result:
Dragging a file into the “Open File” dialog should automatically populate the file path or open the image in Photoshop (like older versions used to do).

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Actual Result:
Photoshop blocks the drag-and-drop action completely, showing a “:prohibited:” icon.

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System Info:

• Photoshop Version: 2025 (26.x)

• OS: Windows 11 Pro / 10 (tested on multiple builds)

• User Access: Administrator

• Hardware: Laptop (with Razer DeathAdder Essential mouse)

• Notes: Issue persists even after full clean reinstall, registry permission reset, UAC adjustment, and Adobe Cleaner tool.

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Possible Cause (Based on Testing):
Likely related to Adobe’s new sandboxed file dialog or Windows UIAccess restriction added in 2025 builds.
This issue does not occur in Photoshop 2024 or earlier versions.

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Request:
Please review the File Dialog sandbox layer and allow drag-and-drop events again inside the Ctrl+O dialog.
It’s a critical workflow function for power users.

[Ged_Traynor]

@ZAYN SAIFI I cannot reproduce your issue, I can drag and drop images from file explorer into the open dialog window, Photoshop version 26.11, Windows 11 version 25H2

[ZAYN SAIFI]

Hi Ged,

Thanks for your response, but I’ve already gone through an extensive
troubleshooting process over the past several days, so I can confirm this
is not an isolated system issue.

I’ve tried *literally everything* including:
– Full Creative Cloud and Photoshop uninstallation using the Adobe Cleaner
Tool
– Registry and UAC policy resets
– Permission and ownership fixes for Photoshop.exe
– PowerShell-based system-level permission resets
– Running Photoshop as both Administrator and standard user
– Disabling and re-enabling drag/drop protections in Windows
– Resetting File Handling and Preferences inside Photoshop

Yet, the problem remains the same.

When I press *Ctrl + O* inside Photoshop, the dialog that opens is *not the
real Windows File Explorer* — it’s Photoshop’s internal sandboxed file
picker (which uses Adobe’s custom interface).

That’s exactly where the issue happens. When I try to drag an image from
the actual Windows File Explorer into that *Ctrl+O dialog*, I get the
forbidden :prohibited: icon.

But when I open Windows File Explorer separately and drag an image *directly
into Photoshop’s main workspace*, it works perfectly fine.

This clearly shows that the problem is within Photoshop’s own Open dialog
window (not Windows, not permissions). It seems the new 2025 build changed
how Photoshop handles file access in sandboxed dialogs, and that’s where
drag-and-drop is being blocked.

Also, could you please clarify how you tested it on your side?
Did you open a *separate Windows File Explorer window* and drag a file into
Photoshop, or did you open the *Ctrl+O dialog inside Photoshop* and drag
into that window?
Knowing exactly how you’re reproducing it would help me confirm whether
this issue is system-specific or a general Photoshop update bug.

I’ll also record and share a short video demonstration of the issue soon,
so you can see exactly what’s happening in real time.

I’d really appreciate if this could be escalated to the Photoshop dev team,
because this affects workflow speed — especially for people who work fast
with keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + O) and drag-and-drop imports.

Please let me know if you need system info, logs, or the video link once I
upload it — I can provide that anytime.

Thanks,
*Zayn.*
20251026-1218-45.1898332.mp4
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[Ged_Traynor]

@ZAYN SAIFI in your original post, you stated

Steps to Reproduce:

Open Photoshop 2025 (latest version).

1. Press Ctrl + O to open the “Open File” dialog.

2. Try dragging an image from Windows Explorer into that dialog box.

3. You’ll see a red “no entry” icon and the file won’t drop.

Which is the same steps I tried

[Ged_Traynor]

@ZAYN SAIFI I opened Photoshop and hit Ctrl + O to open the open dialog window, I have file explorer opened on another screen, dragged an image from the file explorer window into the Photoshop open dialog window and it works fine.

A video of what you're seeing may help, I just noticed in your screenshot that you appear to opening cloud documents, maybe that's the issue.

[ZAYN SAIFI]

Screen Recording 2025-10-27 223537.mp4
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Hi Ged,

Thanks again for checking this. I think there might be a bit of a
misunderstanding between what you tested and what I’m describing.

Here’s what’s happening on my side — and I’ve confirmed this many times:

• I open Photoshop, press *Ctrl + O*, and the “Open” dialog window appears.
• Inside that dialog, I browse to an image file (on my local PC).
• When I try to drag that image directly from the “Open” dialog into the
Photoshop canvas — it shows the *prohibited cursor (:prohibited:)* and doesn’t work.

However, if I open *a separate Windows File Explorer window* outside of
Photoshop, then drag the same image from there into the Photoshop
workspace, it works perfectly.

The problem is specifically inside the *Ctrl + O Open dialog window* that
Photoshop opens.
This slows down workflow because I now have to open two windows — Photoshop
and a separate File Explorer — just to drag and drop, which isn’t practical.

Also, one thing I wanted to ask:
When you said you tested it by opening Photoshop and pressing Ctrl + O —
why did you open another File Explorer window instead of dragging from the
Open dialog itself?
Because when we press Ctrl + O, that dialog already allows browsing all PC
drives and folders.
If it worked for you directly from there, could you please share a few
*screenshots* of how you did it (just for clarity)?

And just to clarify again — this issue doesn’t only happen with *cloud
documents*.
I’ve tested with files located in my *local drives (C, D, etc.)*, folders,
and even on my desktop.
Every local file shows the same problem when dragged from inside the Ctrl +
O window.

I’ll upload a short video demonstration as well, so you can see exactly
what I’m describing.

Thanks again for taking the time to help — this clarification will make
sure we’re testing the same workflow.

– *Zayn*

[D Fosse]

What am I missing here? If you already have a Windows Explorer window open, why not just double-click the file there? 

In any case, if your "sandbox"-theory is correct (which it may well be), then this is a Windows function, not a Photoshop function. Open and Save dialogs are operating system dialogs.

[ZAYN SAIFI]

Hi D Fosse,

I think you may have missed the main point of my post. I’m *not trying to
open a file by double-clicking it* — that’s not the issue at all.

The actual problem happens when I open Photoshop, press *Ctrl + O*, and
then try to *drag an image from that “Open” dialog window directly onto my
existing canvas/project*.

When I do that, I get the *prohibited cursor (:prohibited:)* — drag and drop simply
doesn’t work.

However, when I open a *separate File Explorer window* outside of Photoshop
and drag the exact same file to the canvas, it works perfectly.

So this has nothing to do with double-clicking or basic file opening — it’s
specifically about how *Photoshop’s “Open” dialog behaves differently* from
the actual File Explorer window.

I’ve already tested this across multiple local and cloud locations — same
result everywhere.

Please take a second look at the full description before assuming it’s just
a Windows behavior. If it really is a Windows-level restriction, it’s
strange that *it only affects Photoshop and not other applications using
similar dialogs.*

I’ll upload a short screen recording soon so you can see exactly what’s
happening.

– Zayn

Screen Recording 2025-10-27 223537.mp4
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