Macintosh Basics - Right-Click using Mac Mouse and Trackpad

Did you just purchase a Mac and realize that the mouse or track pad functions differently than a PC mouse? On your new system it would be oh-so-handy to see the context menu you get when you right click on a PC, but your new Mac is missing the essential right-click. No worries, there’s a couple ways to right-click on your new Mac.

Method 1: Control-Click
1. Position your cursor over the item you would like to right-click
2. Press the “control” button on the keyboard using one hand and hold it down
3. Click the mouse or trackpad with the other hand

Method 2: Trackpad Two-Finger-Click
1. Position your cursor over the item you would like to right-click
2. Click the trackpad using two fingers

Method 3: Permanent Right-Click
Use this method if you would like to set your default mouse click action to right-click. Once you set this configuration option you will need to use either Control-Click or Two-Finger-Click to perform left-click functions.
1. Click on the Apple icon on the top left of your computer screen
2. Select “System Preferences”
3. Click “Keyboard & Mouse”
4. Select the “Mouse” tab
5. In the drop-down menu on the right side of the mouse change the setting to “Secondary Button”

Windows Basics - Desktop Shortcut for Files, Folders, and Programs

A desktop shortcut provides quicker access to important files or often used programs by creating a direct link to them on your desktop.

There are different methods in creating desktop shortcuts that you will learn in this tutorial. Both methods achieve the same result, it is a matter of your preference in creating the shortcut.

Method 1:

1. Locate the program or use the start-up menu you would like to create a shortcut for. Right click on the file icon.
2. Select “Send To”. Then click on “Desktop (create shortcut)”
There should be an icon representing the shortcut on your desktop.

Method 2:

1. Right click on an open space on your desktop.

2. Select “New”. Then click on “Shortcut”.

3. Click on “Browse” to locate your program or file.

4. When you have selected a program or file, click on “OK”.

5. Click on “Next” to continue.

6. Type a name for the shortcut and then click on “Finish”.

There should be an icon representing the shortcut on your desktop.

Tip:
Only create shortcuts for programs and files you will use most often to avoid desktop clutter. You can easily delete shortcuts from your desktop. You can right click on the shortcut and select delete. The shortcut will disappear from your desktop and will go straight into the recycle bin.