Workspaces: why go backwards in functionality?

@alfu I can help you with the scrollwheel to switch workspaces. You don’t say which UM, but assuming something current like 15.04, 15.10 or 16.04, switch to Compiz using Mate Tweak as recommended by @mrtribute. And install and use Compiz Config Settings Manager.

It’s easy to add this feature, if you know how, but I could find no documentation as to which settings to adjust, as it doesn’t appear to have been used much since 10.10 (when it was default behaviour). [ As to why it isn’t supported in UM, I don’t think anyone who implemented it before is on UM … So what is in Compiz is what people have rediscovered. I’d hoped this feature might get in, but if it’s not in 16.04 B2 then it is probably too late for this go. ]

My post Compiz in Ubuntu MATE 15.04 should give you all the steps.

Re drag and dropping windows, I never used that on 10.10. Instead, as I did then, I right-click the window’s header and select Move to Workspace Right or select from the Move to Another Workspace menu.

Hope this helps.