The right mouse button is mostly used for bringing up the context menu. It is super important as the context menu is used nearly every time you want to modify or change anything on your computer. So, it is nigh-impossible to properly use your computer without accessing the context menu.
But, what if you need to bring up the context menu without right-clicking your mouse? This can be quite handy when your mouse isn’t working, or if you want to maximize your productivity by making sure your hand doesn’t leave the keyboard. In any case, you can use various ways and different input devices to right-click without using a mouse.
Using Context Key
The easiest way to right-click without using a mouse is by pressing thededicated context keyon your keyboard. It is denoted by three horizontal lines inside a rectangle, and it is usually located between the right Alt and right Ctrl keys.
However, the dedicated context key may not be available on all keyboards, as some laptops and external keyboards lack the context key altogether. If you still want to use the context key for right-clicking, you canremap the keyto any other physical key on your keyboard.
Additionally, if you use Windows 11, the context key will always bring up the full context menu instead of the limited context menu.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If your keyboard lacks the dedicated context key, the easiest way to replicate right-click is by using keyboard shortcuts. TheShift + F10shortcut key brings up the context menu, and unlike the context key, it is available on all Windows keyboards.
TheShift + F10hotkey will also show full context menus in Windows 11 even if you haven’tenabled full context menus.
Using Mouse Keys
Another way you may use right-click without a mouse is by using the Mouse Keys feature. It replicates all the functions of a regular mouse, including right-click opening context menus.
Using the Mouse Keys feature, you will be able to control your mouse pointer from the number keypad. This can be quite handy if you urgently need to navigate your computer without a mouse, but do not know how to navigate with the keyboard.
If yourAlt + Left Shift + Num Lockhotkey didn’t enable Mouse keys, you can manually enable it from the Control Panel. The steps below are specifically for navigating with the keyboard, but you can also follow along with a mouse.
Using Touchpad
Lastly, if you use a laptop, right-clicking without the mouse is very simple. you’re able to press the right-click button on yourlaptop touchpadinstead. The right-click in a touchpad is located at the bottom right.
If you want to use touchpad gestures instead, you’re able to two-finger tap on your touchpad to perform a right click.
