VirtualBox stops drag&drop from working on host OS (WinX

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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david_n_m_bond
Posts: 3
Joined: 4. Apr 2008, 10:49

VirtualBox stops drag&drop from working on host OS (WinX

Post by david_n_m_bond »

When I run VirtualBox 1.5.6 on my fully-patched WinXP host, with a Windows Server 2003 VM (extensions installed), drap-and-drop *within the host OS* never works.

Even when I shut down VirtualBox, and no processes remain, drag-and-drop does not work.

Any clues? TIA,

David
Sasquatch
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Post by Sasquatch »

So, even if the VM is on or off, you can't move files using drag & drop, correct? If that is the case, this is not a VirtualBox issue, you have to look somewhere else for support on this. This is a fault in your Host system, VB has not nothing to do with that. If it happened after you installed VB, try to look in your Add/Remove programs list to see what else installed on that day, and the days before. One of them might be the culprit.
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david_n_m_bond
Posts: 3
Joined: 4. Apr 2008, 10:49

Drag and drop issue

Post by david_n_m_bond »

The Drag and drop issue occurs as soon as VirtualBox VM starts. Yes, it remains afterwards, but that's like saying that an apple that has had the worm removed is responsible for the hole.
over_clox
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Post by over_clox »

It took me a little while to figure this one out too. Believe it or not, it's a problem between Windows and keyboard capture/release. See Keyboard Capture on Multiple Monitors and KB Capture Bugs under Suggestions for more information.

The quick fix for you is to tap the Esc key. Windows occasionally gets confused like that and thinks you're holding down a key that you aren't, and tapping it refreshes its state. If you hold the Esc key down and attempt to drag, you can clearly see this reproduces the problem. Yep, that's it, just tap Esc. No reboot required for that, but it does get a little annoying.
david_n_m_bond
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Joined: 4. Apr 2008, 10:49

Post by david_n_m_bond »

Over_clox,

Thanks for your reply! The bug has not recurred yet, but I will try your suggestion. Thanks in advance on the assumption that it works!
Aren Cambre
Posts: 17
Joined: 20. Sep 2010, 18:23
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: OSE other
Guest OSses: Windows 7

Re: VirtualBox stops drag&drop from working on host OS (WinX

Post by Aren Cambre »

Oh, wow, here we are almost 4 years later and this bug still exists with 4.1.8.

The ESC trick worked perfectly for me!

Are there any bug reports for this?
morty
Posts: 1
Joined: 13. Mar 2012, 19:57

Re: VirtualBox stops drag&drop from working on host OS (WinX

Post by morty »

In the year twenty-twelve, this still isn't fixed.

Thank SPAM_SEARCH it is an easy temporary solution to hit the ESC key.
mpack
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Re: VirtualBox stops drag&drop from working on host OS (WinX

Post by mpack »

What fix would you suggest? It's the host that's confused (I guess it missed a key-up event), not VirtualBox or the guest. How would VirtualBox detect or prevent this confusion? I suppose this can happen any time the host is a bit busy. I also suspect that any bug reports should be addressed to Microsoft: after all, how is it possible that any application can affect how the host OS manages the keyboard?
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