Definition: right click

To press the right mouse button and release it. Also called a "secondary click," right clicking typically opens a context menu, which provides options pertaining to the file, icon or screen area where the cursor is located. For example, right clicking a file name in Windows or the Mac is the common way to find the file's properties (size, date created, etc.). Any function can be assigned to or added to a right-click menu by an application.

On laptops, pressing the right button near or below the trackpad is the same as right clicking. In addition, an area on many trackpads can be designated as a right-click region, and tapping that portion of the trackpad is the same as right clicking. See right-click dictionary lookup.

A Lotta Stuff!

There are generally five functions (red arrows) users want most of the time when right clicking an icon of an image in Windows. They should be together with the cursor positioned at the first one. In this example, six applications added options to the menu (WS_FTP, WinZip, UltraEdit, Snagit, Carbonite and Sophos). See first-time user menu.

Less Cumbersome

Right clicking an icon on a Mac displays fewer options.