diff --git a/IGraphics/IGraphics.h b/IGraphics/IGraphics.h
index e0f16ba25..e12144b25 100644
--- a/IGraphics/IGraphics.h
+++ b/IGraphics/IGraphics.h
@@ -865,6 +865,12 @@ class IGraphics
    * @return /c true on success */
   virtual bool SetFilePathInClipboard(const char* path) { return false; }
 
+  /** Initiate an drag-n-drop operation of an existing file, to be dropped outside of the current window
+   * @param path A CString that contains a path to a file on disk
+   * @param iconBounds The area where the icon should appear
+   * @return /c true on success */
+  virtual bool InitiateExternalFileDragDrop(const char* path, const IRECT& iconBounds) { return false; };
+
   /** Call this if you modify control tool tips at runtime. \todo explain */
   virtual void UpdateTooltips() = 0;
 
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.h b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.h
index 39f1eea7e..9f33bb0c8 100644
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.h
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.h
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ class IGraphicsMac final : public IGRAPHICS_DRAW_CLASS
   bool SetTextInClipboard(const char* str) override;
   bool SetFilePathInClipboard(const char* path) override;
 
+  bool InitiateExternalFileDragDrop(const char* path, const IRECT& iconBounds) override API_AVAILABLE(macos(10.13));
+
   float MeasureText(const IText& text, const char* str, IRECT& bounds) const override;
 
   EUIAppearance GetUIAppearance() const override;
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.mm b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.mm
index 92730bf8b..dffcdc436 100644
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.mm
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac.mm
@@ -662,6 +662,28 @@ static int GetSystemVersion()
   return (bool)success;
 }
 
+bool IGraphicsMac::InitiateExternalFileDragDrop(const char* path, const IRECT& iconBounds)
+{
+  NSPasteboardItem* pasteboardItem = [[NSPasteboardItem alloc] init];
+  NSURL* fileURL = [NSURL fileURLWithPath: [NSString stringWithUTF8String: path]];
+  [pasteboardItem setString:fileURL.absoluteString forType:NSPasteboardTypeFileURL];
+  
+  NSDraggingItem* draggingItem = [[NSDraggingItem alloc] initWithPasteboardWriter:pasteboardItem];
+  NSRect draggingFrame = ToNSRect(this, iconBounds);
+  NSImage* iconImage = [[NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace] iconForFile:fileURL.path];
+  [iconImage setSize:NSMakeSize(64, 64)];
+  [draggingItem setDraggingFrame:draggingFrame contents: iconImage];
+  
+  IGRAPHICS_VIEW* view = (IGRAPHICS_VIEW*) mView;
+  NSDraggingSession* draggingSession = [view beginDraggingSessionWithItems:@[draggingItem] event:[NSApp currentEvent] source: view];
+  draggingSession.animatesToStartingPositionsOnCancelOrFail = YES;
+  draggingSession.draggingFormation = NSDraggingFormationNone;
+  
+  ReleaseMouseCapture();
+  
+  return true;
+}
+
 EUIAppearance IGraphicsMac::GetUIAppearance() const
 {
   if (@available(macOS 10.14, *)) {
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.h b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.h
index 430a717a3..f4a011120 100644
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.h
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.h
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ using namespace igraphics;
 #define VIEW_BASE NSView
 #endif
 
-@interface IGRAPHICS_VIEW : VIEW_BASE <NSTextFieldDelegate/*, WKScriptMessageHandler*/>
+@interface IGRAPHICS_VIEW : VIEW_BASE <NSTextFieldDelegate, NSDraggingSource/*, WKScriptMessageHandler*/>
 {
   CVDisplayLinkRef mDisplayLink;
   dispatch_source_t mDisplaySource;
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ using namespace igraphics;
 //drag-and-drop
 - (NSDragOperation) draggingEntered: (id <NSDraggingInfo>) sender;
 - (BOOL) performDragOperation: (id<NSDraggingInfo>) sender;
+- (NSDragOperation)draggingSession:(NSDraggingSession*) session sourceOperationMaskForDraggingContext:(NSDraggingContext)context;
 //
 - (void) setMouseCursor: (ECursor) cursorType;
 @end
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.mm b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.mm
index aa097d568..f97bb5a8e 100644
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.mm
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsMac_view.mm
@@ -1285,6 +1285,11 @@ - (BOOL) performDragOperation: (id<NSDraggingInfo>) sender
   return YES;
 }
 
+- (NSDragOperation)draggingSession:(NSDraggingSession*) session sourceOperationMaskForDraggingContext:(NSDraggingContext)context
+{
+  return NSDragOperationCopy;
+}
+
 #ifdef IGRAPHICS_METAL
 - (void) frameDidChange:(NSNotification*) pNotification
 {
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.cpp b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.cpp
index 84281cca5..e2433439b 100755
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.cpp
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 #include "IPlugParameter.h"
 #include "IGraphicsWin.h"
+#include "IGraphicsWin_dnd.h"
 #include "IPopupMenuControl.h"
 #include "IPlugPaths.h"
 
@@ -1953,6 +1954,30 @@ bool IGraphicsWin::SetFilePathInClipboard(const char* path)
   return result;
 }
 
+bool IGraphicsWin::InitiateExternalFileDragDrop(const char* path, const IRECT& /*iconBounds*/)
+{
+  using namespace DragAndDropHelpers;
+  OleInitialize(nullptr);
+  
+  FORMATETC format = { CF_HDROP, nullptr, DVASPECT_CONTENT, -1, TYMED_HGLOBAL };
+  
+  DataObject* dataObj = new DataObject(&format, path);
+  DropSource* dropSource = new DropSource();
+  
+  DWORD dropEffect;
+  HRESULT ret = DoDragDrop(dataObj, dropSource, DROPEFFECT_COPY, &dropEffect);
+  bool success = SUCCEEDED(ret);
+  
+  dataObj->Release();
+  dropSource->Release();
+  
+  OleUninitialize();
+  
+  ReleaseMouseCapture();
+
+  return success;
+}
+
 static HFONT GetHFont(const char* fontName, int weight, bool italic, bool underline, DWORD quality = DEFAULT_QUALITY, bool enumerate = false)
 {
   HDC hdc = GetDC(NULL);
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.h b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.h
index 8de807435..cf8035a9e 100644
--- a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.h
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin.h
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ class IGraphicsWin final : public IGRAPHICS_DRAW_CLASS
   bool SetTextInClipboard(const char* str) override;
   bool SetFilePathInClipboard(const char* path) override;
 
+  bool InitiateExternalFileDragDrop(const char* path, const IRECT& iconBounds) override;
+
   bool PlatformSupportsMultiTouch() const override;
 
   static LRESULT CALLBACK WndProc(HWND hWnd, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam);
diff --git a/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin_dnd.h b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin_dnd.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70650667c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/IGraphics/Platforms/IGraphicsWin_dnd.h
@@ -0,0 +1,313 @@
+/*
+ ==============================================================================
+
+ This file is part of the iPlug 2 library. Copyright (C) the iPlug 2 developers.
+
+ See LICENSE.txt for  more info.
+
+ ==============================================================================
+*/
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "IPlugLogger.h"
+
+BEGIN_IPLUG_NAMESPACE
+BEGIN_IGRAPHICS_NAMESPACE
+
+namespace DragAndDropHelpers 
+{ 
+class DropSource : public IDropSource 
+{
+public:
+  DropSource() {}
+  ~DropSource() 
+  {
+    assert(mRefCount == 0);
+  }
+
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE QueryInterface(REFIID refiid, void** resultHandle) override 
+  {
+    if (refiid == IID_IDropSource)
+    {
+      *resultHandle = this;
+      AddRef();
+      return S_OK;
+    }
+    *resultHandle = nullptr;
+    return E_NOINTERFACE;
+  }
+
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE AddRef () override { return ++mRefCount; }
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE Release() override 
+  {
+    int refCount = --mRefCount;
+    assert(refCount >= 0);
+    if (refCount <= 0) 
+    {
+      delete this;
+    }
+    return refCount;
+  }
+
+  // IDropSource methods
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE QueryContinueDrag(BOOL escapeKeyPressed, DWORD grfKeyState) override 
+  {
+    if (escapeKeyPressed == TRUE) 
+    {
+      DBGMSG("DropSource: escapeKeyPressed, abort dnd\n");
+      return DRAGDROP_S_CANCEL;
+    }
+
+    if ((grfKeyState & MK_LBUTTON) == 0) 
+    {
+      return DRAGDROP_S_DROP;
+    }
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE GiveFeedback(DWORD /*dwEffect*/) override 
+  {
+    return DRAGDROP_S_USEDEFAULTCURSORS;
+  }
+private:
+  int mRefCount = 1;
+};
+
+static void deepFormatCopy(FORMATETC& dest, const FORMATETC& source) 
+{
+  dest = source;
+  if (source.ptd != nullptr) 
+  {
+    dest.ptd = (DVTARGETDEVICE*) CoTaskMemAlloc (sizeof (DVTARGETDEVICE));
+    if (dest.ptd != nullptr) 
+    {
+      *(dest.ptd) = *(source.ptd);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// Enum class, seems necessary for some reason
+struct EnumFORMATETC final : public IEnumFORMATETC
+{
+  EnumFORMATETC (const FORMATETC* f) : mFormatPtr (f) {}
+  ~EnumFORMATETC() {}
+
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE AddRef(void) { return ++mRefCount; }
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE Release(void) 
+  {
+    int refCount = --mRefCount;
+    assert(refCount >= 0);
+    if(refCount <= 0) {
+      delete this;
+    }
+    return refCount;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE QueryInterface(REFIID refiid, void **resultHandle) 
+  {
+    if (refiid == IID_IEnumFORMATETC) 
+    {
+      AddRef();
+      *resultHandle = this;
+      return S_OK;
+    }
+    *resultHandle = nullptr;
+    return E_NOINTERFACE;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT Clone (IEnumFORMATETC** resultHandle) override 
+  {
+    if (resultHandle == nullptr) 
+    {
+      return E_POINTER;
+    }
+    EnumFORMATETC* copyObj = new EnumFORMATETC(mFormatPtr);
+    copyObj->mCounter = mCounter;
+    *resultHandle = copyObj;
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT Next (ULONG celt, FORMATETC *pFormat, ULONG* pceltFetched) override 
+  {
+    if (pceltFetched != nullptr) 
+    {
+      *pceltFetched = 0;
+    } 
+    else if (celt != 1)
+    {
+      return S_FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (mCounter == 0 && celt > 0 && pFormat != nullptr) 
+    {
+      deepFormatCopy(pFormat[0], *mFormatPtr);
+      mCounter++;
+      if (pceltFetched != nullptr) 
+      {
+        *pceltFetched = 1;
+      }
+      return S_OK;
+    }
+    return S_FALSE;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT Skip (ULONG celt) override 
+  {
+    if (mCounter + (int) celt >= 1) 
+    {
+      return S_FALSE;
+    }
+    mCounter += (int) celt;
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT Reset() override 
+  {
+    mCounter = 0;
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+
+private:
+  int mRefCount = 1;
+  const FORMATETC* const mFormatPtr;
+  int mCounter = 0;
+};
+
+// Object that carries the DnD payload. TODO: also support text/string?
+class DataObject : public IDataObject 
+{
+public:
+  DataObject(const FORMATETC* f, const char *filePath) : mFormatPtr (f) 
+  {
+    mFilePath = filePath;
+  }
+  
+  virtual ~DataObject() 
+  {
+    assert(mRefCount == 0);
+  }
+  
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE QueryInterface(REFIID refiid, void **resultHandle) 
+  {
+    if (refiid == IID_IDataObject || refiid == IID_IUnknown) 
+    { // note: it seems that IUnknown must be supported here, don't know why
+      AddRef();
+      *resultHandle=this;
+      return S_OK;
+    }
+    *resultHandle = NULL;
+    return E_NOINTERFACE;
+  }
+
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE AddRef() { return ++mRefCount; }
+  ULONG STDMETHODCALLTYPE Release() 
+  {
+    int refCount = --mRefCount;
+    assert(mRefCount>=0);
+    if (mRefCount<=0) 
+    {
+      delete this;
+    }
+    return refCount;
+  }
+
+  bool acceptFormat(FORMATETC *f) 
+  {
+    return (f->dwAspect & DVASPECT_CONTENT) && (f->tymed & TYMED_HGLOBAL) && (f->cfFormat == CF_HDROP);
+  }
+  
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE GetData(FORMATETC *pFormat, STGMEDIUM *pMedium) 
+  {
+    if (pFormat == nullptr) 
+    {
+      return E_INVALIDARG;
+    }
+
+    if (acceptFormat(pFormat) == false) 
+    {
+      return DV_E_FORMATETC;
+    }
+
+    UTF8AsUTF16 pathWide(mFilePath.c_str());
+    // GHND ensures that the memory is zeroed
+    HDROP hGlobal = (HDROP)GlobalAlloc(GHND, sizeof(DROPFILES) + (sizeof(wchar_t) * (pathWide.GetLength() + 2)));
+
+    if (!hGlobal) 
+    {
+      DBGMSG("DataObject::GetData ERROR: GlobalAlloc returned null, aborting.\n");
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    DROPFILES* pDropFiles = (DROPFILES*) GlobalLock(hGlobal);
+    if (!pDropFiles) 
+    {
+      DBGMSG("DataObject::GetData ERROR: GlobalLock returned null, aborting.\n");
+      return false;
+    }
+    // Populate the dropfile structure and copy the file path
+    pDropFiles->pFiles = sizeof(DROPFILES);
+    pDropFiles->fWide = true;
+    std::copy_n(pathWide.Get(), pathWide.GetLength(), reinterpret_cast<wchar_t*>(&pDropFiles[1]));
+
+    // not sure if this is necessary to set the medium but why not
+    pMedium->tymed = TYMED_HGLOBAL;
+    pMedium->hGlobal = hGlobal;
+    pMedium->pUnkForRelease = nullptr;
+
+    GlobalUnlock(hGlobal);
+
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+  
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE QueryGetData( FORMATETC *pFormat ) 
+  {
+    if (pFormat == nullptr) 
+    {
+      return E_INVALIDARG;
+    }
+
+    if (acceptFormat(pFormat) == false) 
+    {
+      return DV_E_FORMATETC;
+    }
+  
+    return S_OK;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT GetCanonicalFormatEtc(FORMATETC*, FORMATETC* pFormatOut) override 
+  {
+    pFormatOut->ptd = nullptr;
+    return E_NOTIMPL;
+  }
+
+  HRESULT EnumFormatEtc(DWORD direction, IEnumFORMATETC** resultHandle) override 
+  {
+    if (!resultHandle) 
+    {
+      return E_POINTER;
+    }
+    if (direction == DATADIR_GET) 
+    {
+      *resultHandle = new EnumFORMATETC(mFormatPtr);
+      return S_OK;
+    }
+    *resultHandle = nullptr;
+    return E_NOTIMPL;
+  }
+
+  // unimplemented (unnecessary?) functions
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE GetDataHere(FORMATETC*, STGMEDIUM*) { return E_NOTIMPL; }
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE SetData(FORMATETC*, STGMEDIUM*, BOOL) { return E_NOTIMPL; }
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE DAdvise(FORMATETC*, DWORD, IAdviseSink*, DWORD*) { return E_NOTIMPL; }
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE DUnadvise(DWORD) { return E_NOTIMPL; }
+  HRESULT STDMETHODCALLTYPE EnumDAdvise(IEnumSTATDATA**) { return E_NOTIMPL; }
+private:
+  int mRefCount = 1;
+  std::string mFilePath;
+  const FORMATETC* const mFormatPtr;
+};
+} // end of DragAndDropHelpers namespace
+
+END_IGRAPHICS_NAMESPACE
+END_IPLUG_NAMESPACE
\ No newline at end of file