In the realm of Windows computing, the middle mouse button is often an underutilized gem, harboring a plethora of features that can significantly enhance productivity. By simply pressing down on the scroll wheel or employing a specific gesture on a trackpad, users can unlock a variety of time-saving shortcuts. For those who may not be familiar, here’s a guide to making the most of these middle-click functionalities.
Add a Middle Mouse Button to Your Trackpad
For users who rely on laptops rather than traditional mice, the absence of a middle mouse button can be a common frustration. Fortunately, Windows provides a straightforward solution. Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Three-finger gestures. From there, select the drop-down menu next to Taps and choose Middle mouse button. This simple adjustment allows you to tap the trackpad with three fingers to execute a middle-click.
Automatically Scroll Up or Down
One of the most practical applications of the middle-click feature is the ability to initiate automatic scrolling. While reading articles online, a gentle middle-click on an empty section of the page allows the cursor to control the scrolling speed based on its movement. With a bit of practice, users can easily find their preferred scrolling pace, making lengthy reads more manageable.
Open Links in New Tabs
For avid readers, especially those who frequent sites like Wikipedia, the middle-click function proves invaluable. By middle-clicking on links, users can open them in new tabs, preserving their current reading material while exploring additional content. This functionality is universally applicable across all browsers on Windows.
Close Tabs in Your Browser and the File Explorer
Managing multiple tabs can quickly become overwhelming. The middle-click feature allows for swift closure of tabs once they’ve served their purpose, streamlining the browsing experience and helping users maintain focus.
Open a New Window for Any App
Another useful shortcut is the ability to open a new window for any application pinned to the taskbar. Even if the app is currently active, a middle-click on its icon will launch a fresh window, facilitating multitasking and enhancing workflow efficiency.
Close Windows from the Taskbar
When dealing with numerous open windows of the same application, the middle-click function can also be employed to close them directly from the taskbar. By hovering over the app's icon and selecting the desired window thumbnail with a middle-click, users can efficiently manage their workspace.
Open the Previous/Next Page in a New Tab
In the context of web browsing, navigating between pages is made easier with the middle-click. By clicking the back or forward buttons with the middle mouse button, users can open previous or next pages in new tabs, allowing for seamless comparisons without losing their current position.
Open Bookmarked Links in New Tabs
For those who have curated a collection of bookmarks, middle-clicking on any individual bookmark will open it in a new tab. Additionally, a middle-click on a folder containing bookmarks will open all links within that folder, each in its own tab, enhancing accessibility to frequently visited sites.
Open Browser Suggestions in a New Tab
Modern browsers often provide suggestions based on recent searches or bookmarks. By middle-clicking on any of these suggestions in the address bar, users can open them in a new tab, facilitating quick access to relevant content without disrupting their current browsing session.
Refresh the Page and Open It in a New Tab
To refresh a webpage without losing its current state, a middle-click on the refresh button will do the trick. This action opens the refreshed page in a new tab, allowing users to continue their browsing without interruption.
