rightclicking

Right-clicking, also known as a context click, is the action of pressing the secondary mouse button (usually the right button) or performing a gesture that the system interprets as such. This typically opens a context menu—an on-demand list of actions related to the item under the cursor or selection, such as copy, paste, rename, properties, or link-specific options.

Platform behavior varies. In Windows, Linux, and most desktop environments, right-clicking displays a context menu for the active element. macOS uses the left button for primary click and enables right-click via a dedicated secondary button, a trackpad gesture (two-finger click or tap), or by holding the Control key while clicking. On touch devices, there is usually no mouse button; a long press or secondary gesture serves as the equivalent.

Accessibility and navigation: many applications provide keyboard methods to open context menus, such as the context menu key or Shift+F10 on Windows, and equivalent shortcuts on other systems. This supports users who cannot use a mouse or trackpad.

Design and behavior considerations: context menus offer quick access to relevant actions but can vary in content between applications. Some websites or apps attempt to disable right-click to prevent content copying, though this is generally ineffective and can frustrate users who rely on standard interactions.