I don't know why it wouldn't open a single file, it should open anything dragged onto it. But when your in a project situation there is a reason, it prevents opening of any extension it doesn't know about. This is incase you have large binary files you wouldn't want them taking a long time to open if you clicked them by accident. You can right click on the file (in the sidebar) and toggle the "Treat .xxx files as text/binary" option. It will remember it from then on.
I'll let someone else tackle the single file instance...