When navigating Windows programs, single clicking usually prepares the computer for your next move. For example, click once on an icon representing a file simply selects the file for your next action. Perhaps you plan to copy or delete the file. First, select the file with a single click.

Single-click an item on the screen when you want to:

1.     Select any item on your screen.

2.     Move the cursor to a specific location

3.     Make a window the active window on the screen.

4.     Edit the name of a file or icon.

5.     Activate a function or program (primarily for Internet browsing.)

Double-click an item on the screen when you want to:

1.     Open a document

2.     Run a program

How do I click an item I see on the screen?

Use the LEFT mouse button to click on an item you see on the screen. The right mouse button is usually used to display a pop-up menu customized for different items.

1.     Move the cursor (mouse pointer) to the item by sliding your mouse on the mouse pad.

2.     Press and release the left mouse button when the cursor is at the desired location

How do I double-click an item I see on the screen?

Use the LEFT mouse button to double-click on an item

1.     Move the cursor (mouse pointer) to the item by sliding your mouse on the mouse pad.

2.     When the cursor is at the desired location, press and release the left mouse button         TWICE, in rapid succession

Note for Internet Browsers (or Web Surfers)

When navigating Windows programs, double-clicking is often required to start a program or to make something happen. Double-click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop to start the Windows Explorer program

Links, often called hyperlinks, are different. They usually require only a SINGLE click to jump to a new web page or start a program.

After you get good at double-clicking Windows icons, prepare to kick the habit when you get to Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Browsing the web is as easy as the SINGLE touch of a mouse button

The Ctrl key and the Shift key on the keyboard can be used to select multiple items.

Try selecting multiple items on the Windows Desktop or in Windows Explorer. Hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard to keep previously selected items when selecting additional items

Ctrl-click:

1.     Select an item by clicking on it

2.     While pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard, click a second item in the same folder

Shift-click:

1.     Select an item by clicking it.

2.     While pressing the Shift key on the keyboard, click a second item in the same folder.         If the second item is not adjacent to the first, all items between the two "clicked"         items are also selected