Can't move folders around on screen/paste disabled

Click on the Desktop, CMD+J, change Arrange by to None, close the window, and see if that fixes the problem. Paste is always grayed out until you've selected an item and used CMD+C to copy it. That activates the Paste command.

Sometimes, odd behaviour may be linked to permissions or privilege level issues.
I'd done a few minutes search with careful wording in each variant, to find many
possible answers; some of them have been discussed online & in Apple forums.

Instead of offering four links to articles, documents and user help web sites, I
won't. Routine and preventative maintenance can help resolve, troubleshoot
and fix some kinds of issues; I'm not sure on what page you are, there.

• Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963?viewlocale=en_US

Shared files and folders, created by one user account or on another computer,
then shared between users or computers, can be problematic due to ownership.

Even if you do not share files or folders between User accounts or Macs, these
may somehow become corrupted or changed by accident; so looking into them
may be helpful in a 'trial and error method' of troubleshooting, by elimination.

• Mac 101: File sharing
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1549?viewlocale=en_US

While these general areas may not be the cause of the problem, the main issue
of user account(s) or system-wide troubles can relate to a botched user account;
or other corruption, data damage, or issues from merged or upgraded OS Xs.

Common advisement includes maintaining a current complete full backup clone
of the entire computer on a suitably capable externally enclosed hard disk drive,
which can support bootable OS X clones; and this can be used for routine and
emergency maintenance; as well as backup. Also, should the main HDD fail, it
can be handy to continue your work faster than a complete route re-install. Fancy
methods could include RAID arrays and other hardware investments.

Hopefully you resolved the issue as presented; either through a new system install
or via backup and update clones. Helps to have the correct discs and disk utilities
on their own disc, plus boot clones... And run OnyX or AppleJack on occasion.

+Wonder if it's worse to be a thread-jacker or a lurker? LOL+
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I have the exact same problem plus it is corrupting other software (importing clipboard)HELP!

I too have been using macs since 1989 I am STUMPPED!

I did do all the suggestions to fix this THEY DON'T WORK

The reason that threadjacking is frowned on (as mentioned in the terms use which you can read by clicking the link to the right on this page) is for the most part a practical one:

By starting your own thread your problem can get individual attention, focussed on your particular set of circumstances.

By joining somebody else's thread it becomes tricky to answer more than one question at the same time, and can lead to confusion for both parties.

So if you don't mind the minor inconvenience, please start your own thread so we can get to grips with your particular problem!

Virus? Doubtful. See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2417665&tstart=0 Create a new admin user account, log into it, and see if the problem persists.

Hi,
Right-click on the Desktop, choose Get Info, and in the General section of the Desktop's Get Info window, be sure that the "Locked" checkbox is unchecked.

I have had 3 people I work with go over this today as well No Dice!

WE are not the only ones

*CAN ANYONE ANSWER THIS *

I guess we all start out as lurkers... sorry to jack this post but he really didn't get a solution, that is why I have been so pushy...
Thanks for the post tips!

I will check them out...