Files stick to cursor when dragging and won't let go!

Even though this is several years later, I accidentally fixed it just now (6/19/17). I googled this problem because it has been driving me nuts for the last several months since I did a partition & upgraded the partition so far to 10.7.5. I'm not using this partition on a regular basis yet mostly because of this problem. This is the first time I found anyone with the same problem and I don't see a solution.

OK, so here's what I did by accident. Hold left click & scroll wheel down. The window moves the dashboard to the entire screen. Then click the arrow on the bottom right. Ta-da! Then I had another problem which I fixed as well. Desktop folders kept snapping back to their original spot. Select View in Finder, then Sort by, Snap to grid. Either way, checked or not checked, folders & files will move & stay where you put them! It'll be interesting to see if will stay fixed after I restart!

I have accepted that I cannot fix the problem. What I found works is putting my computer to sleep and then waking it up. Makes the problem go away even though it is not a fix.

I've had the same problem since updating from 10.6.9 to 10.7.4. Thought it might be my wireless mouse, so I changed to a standard Apple mouse. Still having the same problem. Plus, hot corners don't work sometimes. Rather frustrating.

Wow, this is really annoying and seems to be happening a lot lately but your suggestion to put the computer to sleep and then wake it up "solved" the problem... At least I can work now!

Has this issue been fixed in Mountain Lion?

This is causing serious productivity problems for me. Same issue. Since installing Mountain Lion, peroidically files stick to my mouse cursor. Won't release them unless I Esc-click in the source location (so I can't actually move any files with my mouse once this starts).

It basically renders my laptop useless for work and is completely stressing me out.

I also have the same problem and tried to live with it rather than solving it for weeks, but I am fed up with force quitting and reloading applications. Could a second level support look at this problem, please? The thread shows that there is no solution yet. I don't have Air Display installed as the first level support has suggested for the other case. So it seems to be a bit more of a general problem that cannot be put down to other manufacturers. I cannot finish my calendar in iphoto, because each time I am trying to drag a photo into the template I cannot let it go. The only solution to get out of this situation is to force quit the programm, but then the photo is still not moved. Let me know if you have an upgrade or another solution. Thank you in advance.

You are right, I have it too!

Do you think it could be some sort of virus? (the "nobody" user thingy is quite suspicious)

I started having problems the day I installed and unistalled AirParrot.

The way I´m so far using to get rid of the problem, which is equivalent to restart or go on sleep mode, is to click on my sesion name and chose "Session start window" (translated from spanish so actual words could differ), and then log in again (this is faster than anything and doesn´t actually close your session).

I´ll try Sylus solution and hope someone finds a real fix.

I too had this problem and also a process called "warmd" with / User: nobody.

This all started when I installed an application called Airparrot, I have removed the application and also its plist file from /Library/Preferences and all is back to normal

I have the same problem with the icon or file sticking to the mouse pointer when I click on it, it renders my system inoperative. I have search the web for a fix but found none. I beleive the problem started after I tried Airdisplay, I Uninstalled it but the problem stayed. When I upgraded to Mountain Lion (10.8) problem was still there.

I found one solution that seem to work on my MacBook Pro, I had setup a Guest user account and then I log on to my account and the sticking pointer problem is goes away. As long as I have two users active I do not have the problem.

I too was hoping Apple had a solution by now, but for now this works for me.

Same problem. I installed SpiderOak - not sure if there was any connection -- installation didn't go well, couldn't get out of it, & cursor started sticking to whatever I clicked on. Eventually deleted every SpiderOak file I could find, but sticky cursor remained. Not sure if there is any connection, or if it was just coincidental.

Anyway - my fix that seems to be working is Stylus Xtreme's:

Activity Monitor is showing Process name: warmd / User: nobody

I closed it and now I can drag and drop again.

Here are some other temporary fixes that did work temporarily - but the Activity Monitor Fix, above, is the only one that seems permanent:

2) Another temporary fix - gets rid of the item stuck to the cursor

escape key + left click

3) Put computer to sleep and then wake again

4) Open guest acct & leave 2 users active.

Has this question been answered anywhere else? This is more than annoying it is making work difficult!

Look in System Preferences > Universal Access > Mouse & Trackpad tab > Trackpad options.. button > Change Draging with Drag Lock to Without Drag Lock.

I had the exact same issue with you and it happens more frequently after I upgraded to Mountain Lion
Still waiting for a cure