What Are All These Buttons On My Mouse For And What Do They Do?

Some mouses (mice) have one button, most have two buttons, others have three and some even have wheels and you don't move around. No matter its anatomy the mouse has four main jobs.

Single clicking (left mouse button): The left mouse button is depressed and released to select an item. To select, move the cursor over the item and click the left mouse button once. Items are selected when they change colour.


Double clicking (left mouse button): A quick double click will open whatever is selected be it a document, folder, email etc.  Hover the cursor over the item and give two rapid clicks without moving the mouse. This may take a bit of practice.


Right click (right mouse button): Single-clicking with the right mouse button pulls up further menu options on how to handle or manipulate the item selected.


Drag and drop (left mouse button):     By clicking and holding the button down, you can select then drag the item around the desktop by moving the cursor with the mouse. To drop the item in its new location, release the mouse button