The left and right mouse buttons have different functions. Use the left mouse button for most tasks. Use the right mouse button for more specialized tasks or shortcuts.

When would I use the left and right mouse buttons?

Click with the LEFT mouse button when you want to:

1.     Select items.

2.     Click buttons.

3.     Highlight text.

4.     Access pull-down menus.

5.     Position the cursor.

Click with the RIGHT mouse button when you want to:

Access context-sensitive menus, or shortcut menus. Shortcut menus list frequently used commands that are also accessible on the menu bar of a program with the left-mouse button.

How do I use the left and right mouse buttons?

Move the mouse pointer to a specific item and press one of the buttons. Press and hold the left mouse button to highlight text or "drag and drop" items on the screen.

Review the section on "Clicking and Double-clicking" for more tips on mouse usage. Try the examples below to experience examples of left and right mouse button uses.

Select items with the left mouse button:

1.     Move the mouse pointer to the "Recycle Bin" on the desktop.

2.     Press the LEFT mouse button.

Open the shortcut menu for the Recycle Bin:

1.     Move the mouse pointer to the "Recycle Bin" selected above.

2.     Press the RIGHT mouse button.

3.     Click "Empty Recycle Bin" on the shortcut menu.

4.     Click "No" in the message box if you do not want to empty the Recycle Bin.