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RHailey
RHailey
Inspiring
July 6, 2021
Answered

I can no longer drag & drop files into Premiere, I can only 'File>Import' them which is annoying

  • July 6, 2021
  • 8 replies
  • 9059 views

As the title says, for whatever reason in the last week I am no longer able to simply drag and drop a file off my desktop into the Timeline or Project windows of Premiere. I must go thru the File menu to import it which takes too long. This ONLY happens in Premiere Pro 2021, and no on my 2020 version. My software is all up to date though, and I have restarted my computer several times. It seems like I am missing something. Please reply here if you know a solution. Thank you!

    Correct answer Luís27397608kj8t

    Hey, i just found how to solve this, You just need to execute Adobe Premiere Pro as NOT administrator

    i just unchecked execute this program as administrator box and boom, solved!

    8 replies

    D
    DailyGP
    Participant
    November 18, 2024

    A fix that worked for me was to go into the app's properties and go to compatibility, make sure that "Run as administrator" is tuned off.

     

    FOR WINDOWS: 

     

    Look for app > Right click> Click on properties >  Click on compatibility> uncheck "run as administrator" > Click apply and ok

    L
    Luís27397608kj8tCorrect answer
    Participant
    December 6, 2022

    Hey, i just found how to solve this, You just need to execute Adobe Premiere Pro as NOT administrator

    i just unchecked execute this program as administrator box and boom, solved!

      J
      Jacob27449222awjk
      Participant
      December 8, 2022

      Hey, where can I find that option to uncheck? Thanks for your help

        L
        Luís27397608kj8t
        Participant
        December 8, 2022

        Hi! You need to right click on the icon of your Adobe Premiere Pro then go to Properties, Compatibility tab and then you will see that box to uncheck it

        Your Welcome 🙂

          L
          Luís27397608kj8t
          Participant
          December 6, 2022

          I'm with the same issue, i need help too 😕😕

          Ann Bens
          Community Expert
          Ann BensCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 14, 2021

          The most common user error is not source patching the track.
          Solved by first opening clip in Source Monitor. Then drag/insert into timeline.

            M
            Mike277783660gx6
            Participant
            January 4, 2023

            This was really a big help to a newbe like me.  Thank You

            Kevin-Monahan
            Community Manager
            Kevin-MonahanCommunity Manager
            Community Manager
            July 13, 2021

            Hi R,
            Saw your screenshot. You don't have V1 or A1 selected for Source Patching.

            You need to select a clip in the Timeline, or load a clip in the Source Monitor to get Source Patching to work in your project. After that, you should be able to drag directly from the Finder/Explorer.

            I've found that Source Patching fails most often because of the actual media type: screen captures, streaming video, or another unconventional source containing variable frame rates.

            Read this post for more info and how to get back on track: https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro/can-t-drag-video-into-timeline-premiere-cc/m-p/6000580#M28572

            Dragging items directly into the Timeline can get you into trouble unless you really pay attention to source patching. I was trained by pros back in the 90s to always look down at source patching before attempting any editing - including merely dragging clips to the Timeline (as that is an Overwrite edit). All NLES have some kind of source patching so that you can actually insert or overwrite clips to V2, say, purely with a keyboard shortcut (dragging is slower, IMO).

            TBH, the standard method of importing clips into the Project panel, organizing them, and then edit them into the Timeline is the standard way of editing is how Premiere Pro functions best (auto source patching sets it up, etc.). Otherwise, you really need to focus on the UI. Not telling you how to edit, it's only my advice, anyway.

            BTW, when you said your tracks were "clicked" - they were only Selected. These only come into play after the clip is edited into the Timeline, like, for copy/pasting to other tracks and such. So, there are two sets of blue boxes to be aware of. Sorry for the confusion.

             

            Thanks,
            Kevin

            Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community & Engagement Strategist – Pro Video and Audio
              olivermediahouse
              olivermediahouse
              Participant
              July 13, 2021

              Going to get to it first in hopes that we solve both RHailey's problem and mine. Yesterday in the bottom left box, it had an overlay that say "import media to start." I've clicked around and looked it up, can't figure out how to make that available again. Drag and drop doesn't work except directly to the Source box and then to the Timeline, but I want all of my clips imported, don't want to have to do it all individually. Any thoughts?

                Ann Bens
                Community Expert
                Ann BensCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                July 14, 2021

                Please post a new thread, issue is not the same as OP.

                olivermediahouse
                olivermediahouse
                Participant
                July 13, 2021

                Having the same issue RHailey... Was fine yesterday with drag/drop import but now I can't do it.

                Ann Bens
                Community Expert
                Ann BensCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                July 6, 2021

                FAQ: How to reset (trash) preferences.

                  RHailey
                  RHaileyAuthor
                  Inspiring
                  July 6, 2021

                  Thank you for the reply but unfortunately this did not work. 
                  It still will not let me import.
                  I get this symbol when I try and drop the files into the project window (see attatched pic)

                  J
                  jayr15B9
                  Participant
                  July 14, 2021

                  I'm having the same issues right now

                  RHailey
                  RHaileyAuthor
                  Inspiring
                  July 6, 2021

                  Also, I forgot one detail. I do have video tracks clicked & enabled on my timeline, so that is not the solution

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