Linkerknop

Linkerknop is a Dutch term that refers to a left-sided control button on a device, or specifically the left button on a computer mouse. The concept applies to any device with multiple pressable controls, such as a mouse, keyboard, remote control, or industrial panel. In many contexts, the term is used interchangeably with linker muisknop or linker knop.

In the realm of computer mice, the linkerknop is typically the left mouse button and is considered the primary input for selecting items, activating commands, and performing actions such as dragging and dropping. The opposite button is the rechterknop (right mouse button), which often opens context menus or executes secondary actions. The exact behavior of the linkerknop can vary by software and operating system.

Customization is common: most operating systems and many applications allow users to swap the roles of the mouse buttons, effectively making the linkerknop the right button for left-handed users or for individual preferences. This flexibility supports accessibility and comfort during long-term use.

The term can also appear in manuals and product documentation for devices with multiple buttons or knobs where the leftmost control is referred to as the linkerknop. While most commonly associated with mice, the concept is applicable to any left-positioned control used to initiate primary actions on a device.