Clicking with the Mouse

The mouse has two buttons – one on the left and one on the right. The left mouse button is used for most computer tasks. The right button is used only for special functions.

Left Mouse Button

The left button is not usually specified in instructions because it is the button most commonly used. When directions simply tell you to click, use the left mouse button.

Click the left mouse button to:

• Choose a menu, command, or dialog box option

• Start or exit a program

• Make a selection

• Drag and drop a folder or file

Single Click

To select an item, place the cursor on the item and click the left mouse button once.

When you click the Recycle Bin icon once, it becomes highlighted.

When you click File in the menu bar on a MICROSOFT Word document once, the File menu opens.

Double-click

Double-click the left mouse button to execute a command, such as opening a folder or starting a program.

When instructions tell you to double-click, place the cursor on an icon or word, and rapidly click the left mouse button twice. If nothing happens, click twice again more quickly than before.

Double-clicking opens files and programs. When you double-click a software program icon that’s on your desktop, the program opens.

Right Mouse Button

When you need to click the right mouse button, instructions will tell you clearly to click the right button or right-click.

Clicking the right mouse button opens shortcut menus with different options that are determined by the item you click.

If you place the cursor on the desktop and right-click, a shortcut menu with options for the desktop appears.

A different shortcut menu appears when you right-click the Recycle Bin icon.

If you right-click a picture icon, a different shortcut menu appears.