Conventionally, if you want to open a file on Windows OS, you must double-click it. However, only some of you might know you also have an option to change that to single-click or long press. This feature can be handy for you if you’re a professional user.
After you change the settings, whenever you hover your mouse pointer over the file/folder you want to open, the mouse pointer turns into a hand signal underlining the file/folder name. It indicates that the single-click feature activates on your computer.
Now there are a lot of ways that you can use to change these settings. Keep reading the following risewindows article to get detailed instructions.
How to Enable Single Click to Open an Item on Windows 10 File Explorer?
Use the following steps to turn on the single-click feature to open a file on Windows 10 File Explorer:-
Step 1: First, open File Explorer on your computer.
You can press the Windows + E keys simultaneously on your computer to do that. You can also go to the taskbar on your desktop and click on the start button and then click on the File Explorer option.
Step 2: In the File Explorer window, find the View tab on the Menu bar.
Step 3: Open the Folder Options by clicking on Options.
Step 4: Next, switch to the General tab.
Step 5: Under the “Click items as follows” section, find the radio button that says “Single-click to open an item (point to select).” Click on it.
Step 6: Click on Apply.
Step 7: Click on OK.
How to Disable Single Click to Open an Item on Windows 10 File Explorer?
Use the following steps to enable the double-click feature on your system in case you do not prefer the single-click one:-
Step 1: Go to File Explorer on your computer.
You can press the Windows + E keys simultaneously on your computer to do that. You can also go to the taskbar on your desktop and click on the start button and then click on the File Explorer option.
Step 2: In the File Explorer window, find the View tab on the Menu bar.
Step 3: Open the Folder Options by clicking on Options.
Step 4: Next, switch to the General Tab.
Step 5: Now, under the “Click items as follows” section, look for the “double-click to open an item (single-click to select).”
Step 6: Click on Apply button.
How to Turn On Single Click to Open an Item on Windows 10 through Control Panel?
Use the following steps to enable the single click feature to open a file or folder in Windows 10 using Control Panel:-
step 1: Go to the Control Panel.
Step 2: Go to the Appearance and Personalization menu.
Step 3: Go to the File Explorer Options. Click on the “File Explorer Options” dialog to do that.
Step 4: Switch to the General tab in the File Explorer Options window.
Step 5: Under the “Click items as follows” section, look for the “Single-click to open an item (point to select)” radio button.
Step 6: Click Apply.
Step 7: Click OK.
How to Turn Off Single Click to Open an Item on Windows 10 through Control Panel?
Use the following steps to disable the single click and enable the double-click feature to open a file or folder in Windows 10 using Control Panel:-
step 1: Go to the Control Panel.
Step 2: Go to the Appearance and Personalization menu.
Step 3: Go to the File Explorer Options. Click on the “File Explorer Options” dialog to do that.
Step 4: Switch to the General tab in the File Explorer Options window.
Step 5: Next, under the “Click items as follows” section, go to the “Single-click to open an item (point to select)” radio button and click on it.
Step 6: Click on Apply.
Step 7: Click on OK.
Also Read: How to Block Read/Write Access to USB or CD Drive on Windows 11/10?
Conclusion
In wrapping up, Windows OS offers a degree of versatility that caters to both casual and professional users. The option to switch between single-click and double-click to open files exemplifies this adaptability. While double-clicking has been the traditional method, the single-click feature can expedite file access, particularly for those who frequently navigate through numerous files. The visual cue, where the mouse pointer transforms into a hand signal, ensures users are always informed about the active mode. Whether you choose the File Explorer or the Control Panel route, tailoring this setting to your preference is straightforward. As always, it’s essential to familiarize oneself with such features to maximize productivity and enhance one’s user experience on Windows.
