Cannot move any panel controls in Windows Forms Designer - Visual Studio 2012

Question

_{Tuesday, February 5, 2013 10:22 PM}

Using Visual Studio 2012 WinForms designer.  Out of nowhere, the designer will no longer allow me to move Panel controls with the mouse.  I can move other controls like button, and combobox, but not panel controls or controls derived from panel.  The only way I can move them is with the keyboard.  I have tried creating a new form in the project and the same problem happens with the new form.  I have even tried this in another project and the problem still persists. 

I have tried restarting the IDE, and also tried restarting Windows.  The problem still exists.  I also tried resetting the VS 2012 settings.  Still no luck.  I cannot figure out how Visual Studio got in the state, but it is very annoying.  Please help!

All replies (5)

_{Wednesday, February 6, 2013 1:11 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Does each panel have the cross in the upper left-corner and the chevron in upper right corner as shown below?

kevininstructor

_{Wednesday, February 6, 2013 2:05 PM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

I tried a few things and the problem seems to have been corrected, although I am not sure which combination of things that I tried actually corrected it.  I deleted some VS 2012 AppData files that were maked with the current date (devenv.exe.config, toolbox.tbd, toolbox_reset.tbd, toolboxindex.tbd, toolboxindex_reset.tbd) and did a complete cold reboot of the PC.  I am now able to move the panel once again. 

Not sure how the DevEnv got into this state, but it seems to be working now.

_{Wednesday, February 6, 2013 3:51 PM}

Good to hear you are working again and thank for sharing your steps to correct the problem in the event others have a similar problem.

kevininstructor

_{Monday, July 22, 2013 3:15 PM}

I have just had the same problem of not being able to move any controls using the mouse. I could however reposition controls using the arrow keys. I did not delete any files but just went straight for the cold reboot and now it is working again.

_{Wednesday, November 22, 2017 8:32 AM}

Just had the same in VS2015. Did Rebuild Project and then closed and opened the form again - works now.