A customer from central Iowa asks:

Please explain the difference between left clicking and right clicking?

Answer

I'd be happy to. Most computer mice have at least two mouse buttons. When you press the left one, it is called a left click. When you press the one on the right, it is called a right click. By default, the left button is the main mouse button, and is used for common tasks such as selecting objects and double-clicking.

The right mouse button is often used to open contextual menus, which are pop-up menus that change depending where you click. For example, if you right click on the desktop, you may see a menu pop up that includes "Change View Options" and "Change Desktop Background."

If you right click on a folder, the menu might include options such as "Open" and "Properties." Certain programs, such as video games, may use the right click to perform other functions, such as firing a secondary weapon in a first-person shooter. Most programs, however, use the right click to open contextual menus.

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