I was having the same problem and found this thread. I had no problem with big objects but could not move smaller ones no matter what tool I picked. To move the selected area you have to grap it in the middle to get the black arrow, otherwise you get the hand which stretches or rotates it instead. Increasing the magnification made it easier to grab the small ones in the middle.
How to move a selected area WITH content?
in Paint.NET Discussion and Questions
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I was having the same problem and found this thread. I had no problem with big objects but could not move smaller ones no matter what tool I picked. To move the selected area you have to grap it in the middle to get the black arrow, otherwise you get the hand which stretches or rotates it instead. Increasing the magnification made it easier to grab the small ones in the middle.