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

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.

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!

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 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?

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

I even tryed to download an differant finder program thinking it might be that, NO LUCK!!!! This is hands down the most annoying thing ive ever had to deal with on a computer including PCs.

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.

And, in fact, putting mthe MacBook to sleep for a minute or two and then opening it up and carrying on "fixes" the problem. Until you reboot again and then it starts all over again.

WHY has apple not posted a fix for this yet?!!! This problem has been happening to me constantly and I can not work...

I wonder if you have installed Air Display by Avatron? If so - I think you might find that is the culprit. I just installed it and found the same issue.