The location of the setting where you enable the single-click of icons to open them always escapes me. I can never find it when I want to change it on my Mom’s computer. Single-click irritates me, but here’s how to enable or disable it in Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Windows 10
- Right-click the “Start” button and select “File Explorer“.
- Select “View” > “Options” > “Change folder and search options“.
- In the “Click items as follows” section, choose between “Single click to open an item” or “Double-click to open an item“.
Windows 8, 7, & Vista
- Right-click the “Start” button and select “Control Panel“.
- Select “Appearance and Personalization“.
- Choose “Specify single- or double-click to open“.
- In the “Click items as follows” section, choose between “Single click to open an item” or “Double-click to open an item“.
Windows XP
- Click “Start“ > “Control Panel“.
- Open Folders.
- Check the option for Single click to open an item to enable single-click to open items. Check Double-click to open item to disable the single-click feature.
Christine Cowart says
My emails would pop open on the first click and I couldn’t select text, Tried removing checks in Reading pane, double checked that double-click was checked in File Explorer options, it was a might mare. I finally bought a new mouse! For the love of all that is good, that solved all the weirdness and I am thankful, lol
Clippy says
Still didn’t help. singleclick still opens and closes everything. It’s REALLY IRRITATING
Unknown says
Thank it work
Arslan Awan says
Hy, My laptop keep deleting things by his own when i just point a cursor on it. Please can you help me?
JC says
☼ I need to highlight more than one file still, to copy or upload multiple files. But now, w/single click, it only opens. What is the fix/shortcut to this?
I want single click, but there must be other people who also want to click & highlight multiple files as well?
thx
john ruben says
Your site and information was the only one that WORKED. Thank you.
William Triplett says
I set it up like this. It stayed that way for one day. Today I get up and the option is greyed out and indicates the setting I wanted but now my mouse functions as a single click open and hover to select. I can not use the method presented here as the option is greyed out.
Tester says
It worked! thanks!
anupam rai says
YES IT HELP LOT THANKS FOR YOUR INFORMATION GUYS
Eric T Schiro says
Hey,
This helped a great deal. Thanks a bunch for your knowledge
angry bunny says
Hi THANKS! it has been driving me crazy that single clinking.for the last few years. I am glad it was this easy to fix. Thanks again.