Your right-click isn't working. Windows might not open any context menus without it. If you're experiencing the same issue and it doesn't affect the Start menu or desktop, File Explorer might also be affected. This could be due to a problem with your mouse hardware , corrupted system files, or incompatible programs or drivers.
We have some suggestions for fixing Windows 10 context menu issues.
Right mouse button not working. How can you fix it quickly?
This problem can take many forms. The most common are:
- Windows 7/8/8.1 and Windows 10: Right mouse button not working in Windows 7/8/8.1. This guide aims to resolve right-click issues in Windows 10. Please also note that other versions of the Windows operating system are affected. You can use these solutions on any version of Windows.
- Excel right click is not available The right-click error in Excel seems to be more common than in the Office suite. This is based on user reports. However, the right-click button does not work in Excel, so there are limitations in the spreadsheet functions.
- Chrome, Firefox Edge, Opera, Edge and Opera do not support right click Other browsers: If the right-click isn't working on your browser, make sure to check for the latest version and install it. If this doesn't resolve the issue, try the troubleshooting tips below.
- Right click does not work on tablets, desktops or portable You can see that this problem affects all kinds of devices. It seems to be more common on laptops.
Please follow the steps below to resolve all the above issues.
Solution 1: Check your mouse
First, check if your mouse is damaged. To check if your mouse is working, connect it to another computer or laptop. You can replace the batteries in your wireless mouse by using a new battery. Windows 10 also has a hardware troubleshooter that can be used to check your hardware.
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To launch Cortana, click the Cortana button in Windows. Enter your hardware and devices and press the search button.
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To open the next window, select Find and fix problems with your devices.
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Please click Next to scan.
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The troubleshooter will inform you of any device and hardware problems. It will also provide a list of devices you can choose to repair. Press the button to select the mouse from the list . Next .
Solution 2 – Disable tablet mode
Tablet mode doesn't work with right-clicks. If it's enabled, you can disable it. You can quickly toggle tablet mode by pressing Win+A. The Action Center sidebar will then appear. There you'll also find a Tab Mode button . To toggle tablet mode, click this button. This button will turn off tablet mode.
Solution 3 – Remove all third-party shell extensions
Shell extensions are third-party options that add additional options to the context menu. It is also possible that third-party extensions prevent the context bar from opening. Removing the extension might also resolve the right-click context option. Using CCleaner or ShellExView, you can disable third-party extensions.
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Simply click the Download button on this website to add CCleaner to Windows.
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Click Open CCleaner Tool > Start. Click on the Context Menu tab and you will see a complete list of shell extensions, as shown below.
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You can now disable or remove shell extensions. You can also choose to keep all third-party extensions by clicking the Disable button.
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The button can also be pressed. You can delete. To remove the shell extensions
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ShellExView can also be used to prevent shell extensions that can be added to Windows platforms . This page.
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ShellExView can be opened as administrator by choosing its shortcut, pressing CTRL + Shift + ENTER and selecting it.
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You can click here (Optional) > Filter by extension type > Context menu to open a list of third-party shell extensions
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Hold down the Ctrl key and select all the pink third-party shell extensions. Press the red button to uninstall them
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Click Optional. Click again on the ShellExView menu bar to select Restart Explorer. Restart the Windows Shell to repair any third-party programs that may have become corrupted.
Solution 4 – Restart Windows Explorer (file)
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Restarting Explorer using Task Manager is an option if right-click context menus aren't opening in File Explorer. To open Task Manager, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then Task Manager.
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Select the Processes tab in Task Manager.
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Windows Explorer appears in the Windows Processes section. Click on Windows Explorer to open it . Restart.
Solution 5 – Check the Group Policy settings. Delete the default Windows Explorer settings in the context menu.
You can choose the Group Policy Editor to remove the default Windows Explorer context menu. This disables the context menu if it is selected. Therefore, you must ensure that the Local Group Policy Editor option, which is included in Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro, is not selected. The following settings can be changed:
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To open Run, first press Win + R to open Run. Then type agpedit.msc in the text box to open the Local Group Policy Editor window.
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Click on Changes for users > Administrative models > Windows components. Your name. File Explorer. The Group Policy Editor window is on the left.
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Double-click on the Delete default context menu in Windows Explorer. Click the button to close the window.
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Click the radio button to activate the Disabled option.
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For more information, click on Please request Your name Accept To close the window.
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Restart your laptop or desktop computer.
Solution 6 – Update the mouse driver
You can also check if your mouse driver has been updated. It's possible to update it if your mouse doesn't have the latest driver. You can update the driver using the Windows 10 Device Manager here:
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Click the Cortana icon on the taskbar and type Device Manager in the search field.
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To open the Device Manager mentioned below, select this option.
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Please click on Other signaling devices, such as mice and other rodents. These devices can be enlarged.
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Double-clicking the left mouse button opens the Properties window. Click the Driver tab.
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Click Update Driver. To open the window below, click here.
A dedicated tool allows you to update your drivers automatically
Updating drivers can be a tedious process. Tweakbit recommends automating this task using the Driver Updater tool. By doing so, your computer will not suffer permanent damage from installing outdated drivers.
This tool is approved by Microsoft and approved by Norton Antivirus. It uses the most advanced technology for updating. It is our most tested solution. This guide will give you a quick overview.
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TweakBit Driver Update
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The program will automatically start searching for outdated drivers after installation. Driver Updater will scan your computer for outdated drivers. It will compare the current versions with its cloud database and suggest necessary updates. Wait for the scanning process to finish.
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Once the scan is complete, you will receive a list of all the problematic drivers on your computer. You can then review the report and decide whether you want to fix each of them individually or all at once. You can update one driver at a time by clicking the “Update Driver” link next to the driver. To automatically download all recommended updates, click the “Update All” button.
Note: Installing the drivers may take several steps. You may need to click the "Update" button several times until you are satisfied with all the components.
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Disclaimer: Some features are subject to a fee.
Solution 7: Run System File Browser
System File Checker is also called SFC scannow. This handy tool repairs corrupted system files, which may be responsible for the malfunctioning of the right-click. An SFC scan can be performed as follows.
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Type "sfc" /scannow at the command prompt and press Enter.
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This will take you between 15 and 20 minutes. Windows Resource Protection has detected and repaired the corrupt files .
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Restart Windows if you see that the SFC is successful.
Solution 8: Restore Windows to a previous restore point
System Restore will allow you to restore Windows to an earlier date. If all of your right-click context menus were working correctly a few days earlier, you may be able to restore Windows to an earlier date. This is how System Restore can undo system changes.
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Type “System Restore” in the Cortana search box.
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To open the next window, select Create a restore point.
This tool is recommended for all PC problems
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fix common mistakes
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protection against file loss
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Malware can have devastating consequences
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Repairing corrupted documents
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Replacing files
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Hardware failures
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Performance optimization
Automatic detection and repair of Windows errors
Very high score
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Select the option you want to use: More restore points . To display a complete list of restore points.
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Click the button to select a date for the Windows restore, and then click "OK" Next.
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Next, press the Finish button to restore Windows.
Solution 9: Adjust or disable the touchpad timeout
If you don't want to use complex and radical solutions like a restore point, then continue with the solutions below.
Sometimes conflicts may occur between the touchpad and mouse in certain situations. This can cause the right-click function on your mouse to be randomly disabled.
This is how you adjust your touchpad delay.
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For more information, press Win+I. You can use the shortcut keys to access your computer.
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They will help you be more successful. System settings. From here, click on Team.
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Next, select Touchpad and Mouse.
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You can choose Touch Keyboard. The next window will allow you to
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Use the drop-down menu to change the delay time.
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Test your mouse by adjusting the delay to different values. If your random jump stops, it means you are close to the solution.
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The touchpad must be disabled
Try disabling the touchpad completely if the issue persists after changing the delay.
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Click Home > Type Mouse Settings > Enter to choose the first result
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Choose the Touchpad tab > Click Stop device or Disable, depending on the version of Windows you have
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Your touchpad is now disabled. Please try using the right mouse button function to make it fully functional.
Solution 10 – Check for conflicts between third-party applications
Third-party programs and applications can cause problems with your mouse. You may have problems using dedicated adjustment tools to adjust the pointer.
You can uninstall the tools and instead use the mouse settings that are already built into your PC. Here are some steps:
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Click Start>> Press Enter to open the Control Panel
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Click Uninstall to uninstall any program
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Choose the mouse adjustment tool you want to remove>
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You can restart your computer> to check that you can use the mouse click function correctly.
Solution 11: Remove any recently installed software
Reinstall any software you just installed on your computer. Other third-party programs, such as those discussed above, can also cause the right mouse button to not work properly.
You can follow the same steps:
Go to Start>>Type Control Panel>Click Uninstall.
Then restart your computer and check if it works.
Solution 12: Update your NVIDIA drivers
Users have reported mouse issues on Creators Update. Install the latest motherboard driver if the right mouse button is not working after performing the OS update. The official NVIDIA website allows you to manually download drivers for your NVIDIA computers.
Solution 13: Change the power management settings of the USB root hub
Users have reported that the errors caused by right-clicking to change the USB Root Hub power control settings have been fixed. To do so, follow these steps:
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Home > Device Manager
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Please visit the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section . It can be expanded.
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Double-click on USB Root Hub . It should be open.
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Navigate to the Power Management tab. Your name. To save energy, uncheck the Turn off the computer for this device box.
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Please click on Please request Your name Accept to save the changes.
For all USB root hubs listed in Device Manager, repeat these steps.
Solution 14 – Perform a full system scan
Malware can cause many problems on your computer, such as software or hardware errors and system crashes. To detect malware on your system, run a full system scan. Windows Defender , the built-in antivirus for Windows, and third-party antimalware solutions are available.
Here's how you can run a full system scan with the Windows 10 Creators Update:
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Click on Windows Defender and go to Start>>>
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Click on the shield icon on the left panel
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Click Advanced Analysis in the new window
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To run a full malware scan, select the Full Scan option.
Solution 15 – Update your operating system
You should make sure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates to fix and improve system stability.
Simply type the word "update," and you'll be able to navigate to the Windows Update section . This technique works with all versions of Windows. Then, go to the Windows Update section and check for updates.
All of the above solutions might get the right-click context menu working again. These are usually software glitches, and you don't necessarily need a replacement mouse. For more tips on customizing your Windows environment after fixing the context menu, check out this Windows Reports guide.
Editor's note: The original May 2017 publication of this post has been completely rewritten.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.