How to Right-Click on Windows

Right-clicking is the action of pressing the right button on a computer mouse. On Windows, right-clicking opens a context menu containing options relevant to whatever the cursor is hovering over. For Unturned™ mod development at 57 Studios™, right-clicking is the primary way to access file properties, create new folders, extract archives, open files with specific applications, and run modding tools with elevated permissions. This reference covers the mechanics of right-clicking, the variety of input devices used, and the situations where right-clicking is essential.

This article assumes the reader has access to a Windows computer and at least one form of pointing device, whether a wired or wireless mouse, a laptop trackpad, an external trackpad, a graphics tablet with click support, or a touch screen. The procedures and references in this article apply across all such devices, with the device-specific differences clearly noted.

Prerequisites

• A computer mouse, trackpad, or equivalent pointing device
• Completion of the earlier file-system reference articles
• A Windows computer with File Explorer accessible

What you'll learn

• The anatomy of a standard computer mouse and the role of each component
• How to right-click on mice with and without dedicated right buttons
• How right-clicking works on trackpads of every common manufacturer
• The structure of the Windows context menu system
• When to right-click versus left-click in mod development workflows
• The right-click actions essential to Unturned mod development
• How to recover from common right-click problems

Background

The computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in the 1960s as a single-button input device. Apple's early personal computers retained the single-button design for many years, while IBM-compatible PCs adopted a two-button design beginning in the 1980s. The right button was initially used for various application-specific purposes until Microsoft standardized it as the context menu trigger in Windows 95.

The standardization in Windows 95 was load-bearing for the modern Windows experience. Before the standardization, the right button could mean almost anything depending on the application: a secondary selection mode in one program, a cancel action in another, a quick-zoom in a third. The Windows 95 convention reserved the right button for opening a context menu in nearly every context, freeing application designers from having to invent their own right-button behavior and freeing users from having to remember a different convention in every program.

The flowchart above traces the standardization of the right-click as a Windows user interface convention. After thirty years, right-clicking is now expected behavior in nearly every Windows application.

Did you know?

The original Macintosh shipped with a single-button mouse for nearly twenty years, from 1984 to 2005. The single-button design was a deliberate Apple choice based on the belief that two buttons confused beginners. The decision created a long-running difference between Apple and Microsoft conventions that mod developers crossing platforms still occasionally encounter today.

Did you know?

The phrase "right-click" appears in early Windows 95 user documentation as the canonical name for the action. Before standardization, the action was variously called "secondary click," "alternate click," "menu click," and "B-button click." The unified vocabulary made the action easier to teach and easier to document, contributing to its rapid adoption.

Anatomy of a standard mouse

A standard computer mouse has the following physical components.

        +-----------------+
        |                 |
        |    +-------+    |
        |    | Wheel |    |
        |  L |       | R  |
        |    +-------+    |
        |                 |
        |                 |
        |                 |
        +-----------------+
         |               |
         |    Scroll     |
         |    wheel      |
         +---------------+

The ASCII diagram above shows the standard layout. L is the left mouse button, R is the right mouse button, and the wheel between them serves both as a scrolling input and as a third clickable button when pressed straight down.

Component	Function	Used in mod development?
Left button	Primary click, selection, activation	Continuously
Right button	Context menu, secondary actions	Continuously
Scroll wheel	Scrolling content vertically	Continuously
Wheel click	Middle-click, opens links in new tabs and similar functions	Occasionally (browsers, some editors)
Extra side buttons	Programmable, often back and forward in browsers	Occasionally (workflow customization)

The middle-click button

The scroll wheel doubles as a third button when pressed straight down. The middle-click action is less universal than left-click or right-click, but mod developers do encounter it in three common contexts:

Context	Middle-click behavior
Web browsers	Open link in new tab
File Explorer	Open folder in new window
Unity Editor	Pan the scene view

The middle-click is the most likely button to misfire on a worn or damaged mouse. A mouse that has been heavily used for several years often develops an unreliable middle-click before the left or right buttons show signs of wear.

Did you know?

The scroll wheel was introduced commercially by Microsoft in 1996 with the IntelliMouse. Before the IntelliMouse, scrolling required either dragging a scroll bar or pressing keyboard arrow keys. The scroll wheel's success was immediate and within three years it became standard on essentially every PC mouse sold.

How to right-click

The mechanical action is straightforward: position the cursor over the target, then press the right mouse button.

The sequence diagram above traces the full interaction from physical input to the visible appearance of a context menu. Each step happens in milliseconds, but understanding the sequence helps diagnose problems when a right-click does not produce the expected result.

The press-and-release distinction

A right-click is technically two events: the button-press and the button-release. Windows opens the context menu on the release, not the press. This is why a right-click that is held down indefinitely does not produce a menu until the finger is lifted off the button.

                    Right-click event timeline

       Time -->
       |
       |  press                release             menu visible
       |    v                     v                     v
       |    [-----------button held-----------]
       |                                              |
       |                                              +-- menu appears here

The ASCII diagram above shows the relationship between the button events and the menu appearance. The behavior matters in two contexts: first, when a user accidentally drags the cursor while the right button is held, which can shift the focus target before the release fires; and second, when a stuck or sticky button registers a press without a clean release.

Right-clicking on different devices

Not every input device has a dedicated right mouse button. The method varies by device type.

Standard two-button or three-button mouse

Press the right button. This is the default and most common configuration. Mod developers using a desktop PC or a laptop with an external mouse will use this method.

Apple Magic Mouse

The Magic Mouse has no physical right button. The right side of the unified touch surface is treated as a right-click region when the appropriate setting is enabled in Windows. With Bootcamp or third-party drivers, the right-side click maps to right-click.

The Magic Mouse is uncommon among Windows mod developers because the device is designed primarily for macOS. Developers who arrive at Windows from a long macOS history sometimes bring a Magic Mouse with them and discover that the device is functional but suboptimal on Windows.

Trackpad

Most modern Windows trackpads support right-clicking through several methods:

1. Tap with two fingers simultaneously
2. Press in the lower-right corner of the trackpad
3. Hold the Control key while clicking

The exact behavior depends on the trackpad manufacturer and the precision driver in use. The two-finger tap is the most universal and the fastest of the three methods.

Trackpad manufacturer	Default right-click method	Configurable?
Microsoft Precision	Two-finger tap	Yes
Synaptics	Two-finger tap	Yes
ELAN	Two-finger tap or corner press	Yes
Apple Magic Trackpad	Two-finger tap	Yes
Generic / OEM	Corner press	Limited

The Microsoft Precision Touchpad driver is the most common configuration on modern Windows laptops. It supports the standard gestures across nearly every laptop manufacturer that ships its hardware with the driver.

Single-button or limited mouse

Hold the Control key, then click. This combination is a fallback that Windows recognizes universally. The Control-click fallback is most often used by developers who have arrived at Windows from a Mac and are temporarily using an Apple single-button mouse.

Touch screen

Touch screens support a right-click equivalent through a long press. Press and hold a finger on the target for approximately one second, then release. The context menu opens at the release position. Touch-screen right-clicking is less common in mod development workflows but is supported across all Windows-compatible touch screens.

Graphics tablet

Graphics tablets (Wacom, XP-Pen, Huion) typically include a stylus with an Eraser end and a button on the stylus barrel. The barrel button is mapped by default to right-click. The mapping is configurable through the tablet's driver software.

Pro tip

On a laptop with a precision trackpad, the two-finger tap is the fastest way to right-click. Once memorized, it feels natural and is genuinely faster than reaching for a physical button.

Pro tip

Mod developers who work across multiple devices (a desktop with a wired mouse, a laptop with a trackpad, a tablet with a stylus) benefit from learning every right-click method, not just the one for their primary device. The fluency reduces friction when switching contexts during a single day's work.

Comparison of right-click methods

Method	Device required	Speed	Reliability
Right button click	Two-button mouse	Fastest	Highest
Two-finger tap	Precision trackpad	Fast	High when driver is configured
Corner press	Trackpad with mechanical click	Medium	Medium
Control+click	Any input device	Medium	High but interrupts keyboard
Long press	Touch screen	Slow	Reliable but slow
Stylus barrel button	Graphics tablet	Fast	High

The pie chart above shows the approximate distribution of right-click input methods among Windows-based mod developers. The dedicated right button on a wired or wireless mouse is overwhelmingly the most common.

The Windows context menu

When a right-click registers, Windows opens a context menu at the cursor location. The contents of the menu depend on what was right-clicked.

Right-clicking a file

The context menu typically includes options such as:

• Open
• Open with (choose an application)
• Edit
• Cut, Copy, Delete, Rename
• Properties
• Send to (followed by destinations like Compressed folder, Desktop)
• Share (Windows 10 and later)
• Pin to Start
• Scan with antivirus (when antivirus software is installed)

Right-clicking a folder

Similar to files, plus options like:

• Open in new window
• Pin to Quick access
• Give access to (sharing options)
• Open command window here (with Shift+right-click)
• Open PowerShell window here (with Shift+right-click)

Right-clicking empty space inside a folder

Options for creating new items:

• New (followed by file type submenu)
• View options
• Sort by
• Group by
• Paste (if something is in the clipboard)
• Customize this folder
• Refresh

Right-clicking the desktop

Display settings, personalization options, and shortcuts to display configuration tools.

• View (icon size and layout)
• Sort by (name, size, item type, date modified)
• Refresh
• Paste
• New (similar submenu to inside a folder)
• Display settings
• Personalize

Right-clicking the taskbar

A unique menu containing operating system-level options.

• Taskbar settings
• Task Manager
• Show desktop
• Cascade windows
• Show windows stacked
• Show windows side by side

The variety of context menus across different right-click targets is the practical reason developers must understand the right-click as a contextual tool rather than a single action. The menu is always tailored to whatever the cursor was over at the moment of the click.

Right-click actions essential for mod development

Several right-click actions are used repeatedly in mod development workflows.

Action	Right-click target	Result
Run as administrator	Application executable	Launch with elevated permissions
Extract All	Compressed archive	Decompress contents into a folder
Open with > Notepad++	Configuration file	Edit configuration in preferred editor
Properties	Any file or folder	View metadata, size, attributes
New > Folder	Empty space in File Explorer	Create a new folder
Send to > Compressed folder	Selected files	Package files into a zip archive
Pin to Quick access	Folder	Add folder to File Explorer sidebar
Open in Terminal	Folder (Windows 11)	Launch PowerShell in the folder
Copy as path	File or folder	Copy the full path to clipboard
Show more options	Any target (Windows 11)	Display the legacy context menu

Best practice

Pin the most-used applications to the right-click "Open with" menu. Right-click a file of the desired type, choose "Open with", and check the "Always use this app to open" box. Subsequent right-clicks will include the chosen application as a first-class option.

Best practice

On Windows 11, the new short context menu hides several legacy options behind a "Show more options" entry. Mod developers who frequently use the legacy options can press Shift+F10 instead of right-clicking to bypass the short menu and go directly to the full legacy menu.

Decision flowchart: when to right-click versus left-click

The decision flowchart above clarifies when each click type is appropriate. Left-click for direct activation, right-click for any secondary or contextual action.

Common mistake

A frequent beginner error is left-clicking when right-clicking is required. The most common case is attempting to "Run as administrator", which is only available through the right-click context menu and never appears in a left-click action.

Common mistake

Right-clicking inside a text field instead of selecting text first. A right-click on selected text opens a clipboard menu (Cut, Copy, Paste). A right-click on empty text or unselected text often produces a different menu with no clipboard options. The cause of the missing options is the lack of a selection, not a failure of the right-click itself.

Advanced considerations

The behavior of the right-click can be customized through Windows Settings, third-party utilities such as PowerToys, and registry edits. Mod developers occasionally customize the context menu to add shortcuts to frequently-used tools, such as opening a folder directly in a code editor or running a packaging script.

Adding custom items to the context menu

The most common context-menu customization is the addition of an entry that launches a specific application against the selected file or folder. The customization is achieved through one of three mechanisms:

1. Application installer registration. Many applications register their own context-menu entries automatically during installation. Notepad++, 7-Zip, Visual Studio Code, and the Unity Hub all add entries this way.
2. Manual registry edit. A developer with administrator access can add entries by editing the Windows registry directly. The entries live under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\ for entries that should appear on every file type, or under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dat\shell\ for entries specific to one extension.
3. Third-party utility. Tools such as ShellExView, Easy Context Menu, and the PowerToys File Explorer add-on provide a graphical interface for adding and removing context-menu entries.

Critical warning

Be cautious when installing third-party context menu extensions. Poorly written extensions can slow down File Explorer significantly, cause crashes, or introduce security vulnerabilities. Only install extensions from reputable sources.

The Windows 11 context menu redesign

Windows 11 introduced a redesigned, shorter context menu that displays only the most common actions by default. The full set of legacy actions is accessible through a "Show more options" entry at the bottom of the short menu, or through the Shift+F10 keyboard shortcut.

The flowchart above describes the decision a mod developer must make on Windows 11 when an expected action is not in the short context menu. The legacy menu is always reachable; it is just one extra click or keystroke away.

Pro tip

Shift+F10 is the universal keyboard shortcut for opening the full legacy context menu on Windows 11. Memorize the shortcut early; it saves a click on every right-click during the day.

Frequently asked questions

My mouse only has one button. How do I right-click?

Hold the Control key and click. This combination is recognized by Windows as a right-click on any input device. The fallback works on a mouse, a touchpad, a touch screen, and a graphics tablet equally.

Why does right-clicking sometimes show a different menu than I expect?

The context menu adapts to whatever was right-clicked. Right-clicking a file shows file-related options, right-clicking the desktop shows desktop options, right-clicking inside an application shows application-specific options. The variation is intentional.

Can I disable right-click?

Yes, through accessibility settings or third-party software, though this is uncommon and disrupts standard workflows. Mod development specifically requires right-click functionality.

What is the keyboard equivalent of a right-click?

The Menu key on a standard keyboard, often located between the right Windows key and the right Control key, opens the context menu for the currently focused item. Shift+F10 does the same. Both shortcuts work on every supported version of Windows.

Why does my context menu have so many entries?

Each installed application that registered a context-menu entry contributes to the total. A long context menu is a sign of many installed applications. The fix is either to uninstall applications no longer needed or to use a utility such as ShellExView to selectively disable specific entries.

Why does File Explorer feel slow after I install a new application?

Some applications register context-menu extensions that run code every time the menu is opened. A poorly written extension can introduce a multi-second delay before the menu appears. The fix is to use a utility such as ShellExView to identify the slow extension and disable it.

Can I right-click on a touch screen without an external mouse?

Yes. Press and hold a finger on the target for approximately one second, then release. The context menu opens at the release position. The long-press behavior is the touch-screen equivalent of a right-click.

What is the difference between "Open" and "Edit" in the context menu?

"Open" launches the file in its default application, which for some file types is a viewer. "Edit" launches the file in an editor associated with the file type. For a .dat file, "Open" might launch in a viewer that displays the contents but does not allow modification, while "Edit" launches Notepad or Notepad++ for modification.

Why is "Run as administrator" sometimes missing from the context menu?

The option appears only on executable files (.exe, .bat, .ps1, .msi). Files of other types do not have an administrator-execution context, so the option is hidden. If the option is missing from an executable file, the cause is typically a security setting or a missing executable bit on the file.

Does the right-click menu work the same on every Windows application?

Mostly. Some applications (notably Microsoft Office, web browsers, and certain games) implement their own custom right-click menus that override the Windows default. The custom menus typically include application-specific actions in addition to the standard clipboard operations.

How do I right-click multiple files at once?

Select the files first using left-click and Shift or Ctrl. Then right-click on any one of the selected files. The context menu displays options that apply to the entire selection.

What is the difference between right-clicking a folder and right-clicking inside an open folder?

Right-clicking the folder icon shows actions for the folder itself (open, rename, copy, delete, properties). Right-clicking inside an open folder, on the empty whitespace between files, shows actions for the folder's contents (new file, paste, view options, sort by).

Best practices

• Memorize the right-click context menu options for files, folders, and empty space
• Configure file associations through the "Open with" right-click option
• Always right-click and select "Run as administrator" when launching mod build scripts or developer tools that require elevated permissions
• Practice the trackpad two-finger tap if working on a laptop frequently
• Avoid installing third-party context menu extensions from untrusted sources
• Use Shift+F10 as a keyboard alternative when the mouse is not at hand
• Periodically audit the context menu for unused entries that slow down File Explorer
• Learn the device-specific right-click method for every input device you use regularly

Appendix: right-click in common mod development applications

The applications a mod developer encounters most often each have their own right-click conventions. The table below summarizes the principal right-click behaviors in each.

Application	Right-click target	Behavior
File Explorer	File	Standard file context menu
File Explorer	Empty space	Create new file or folder, paste, view options
Notepad++	Text selection	Cut, copy, paste, plus encoding and language options
Notepad++	Tab bar	Close, close others, move to other view
Unity Editor	Asset in Project window	Create, import, reveal in Explorer, refresh
Unity Editor	Object in Hierarchy window	Create child, copy, paste, rename, delete
Unity Editor	Scene view	Camera controls, alignment options
Visual Studio	Solution Explorer item	Build, debug, add reference, manage NuGet
Visual Studio	Code editor	Quick actions, refactor, go to definition
Blender	3D viewport	Context-sensitive menu by edit mode
Photoshop	Layer panel	Duplicate, blending options, merge
Photoshop	Canvas	Tool-specific options
7-Zip File Manager	File inside archive	Extract, open inside, properties
Discord	Message	Edit, delete, reply, copy, react

The variety of right-click behaviors across applications is a consequence of each application's freedom to define its own context. Developers learn the conventions of their most-used applications through practice, and the universal Windows right-click on the desktop and in File Explorer serves as the common foundation.

Appendix: troubleshooting the right-click

The table below maps common right-click symptoms to their causes and recommended fixes. The reference consolidates the 57 Studios support team's triage notes from years of beginner-developer onboarding.

Symptom	Likely cause	Recommended fix
Right-click does nothing	Right button physically broken or stuck	Test the button outside Windows; replace the mouse if confirmed broken
Right-click opens the wrong menu	Cursor was not over the intended target	Verify cursor position; the menu reflects whatever was under the cursor
Right-click menu appears delayed	A slow context-menu extension is installed	Use ShellExView to identify and disable the slow extension
Right-click menu missing expected entries	The associated application is not installed or has been uninstalled	Reinstall the application or remove the orphaned registry entries
Right-click menu has too many entries	Too many applications have registered entries	Selectively disable unused entries via ShellExView
Right-click crashes File Explorer	A poorly written context-menu extension is failing	Disable third-party extensions; reboot if necessary
Two-finger tap on trackpad does nothing	Precision Touchpad driver not installed	Install the driver from the laptop manufacturer's support site
Right-click on touch screen does nothing	Long press is too short or finger is moving	Hold still for at least one second before releasing
"Run as administrator" missing	File is not an executable, or UAC is disabled	Verify file extension; check UAC settings
Context menu closes before a selection	Mouse was moved during the right-click	Hold the mouse still during the right-click sequence

The troubleshooting reference is intended for quick lookup when a right-click misbehaves. Most symptoms have well-understood causes and well-tested fixes.

Pro tip

If File Explorer crashes repeatedly after right-clicking, the cause is almost always a misbehaving context-menu extension. The fix is to launch ShellExView (or the PowerToys File Explorer add-on equivalent), sort by "Non-Microsoft" to isolate third-party extensions, and disable them one by one until the crashes stop. The last extension disabled before stability returns is the culprit.

Appendix: right-click accessibility configurations

Windows includes accessibility options that modify right-click behavior to accommodate users with motor difficulties or who prefer alternative input methods.

Setting	Path	Effect
Click Lock	Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Buttons tab	Allows holding a click without keeping the button pressed
Mouse keys	Settings > Accessibility > Mouse	Enables numeric keypad as a mouse replacement
Toggle button settings	Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Buttons tab	Swap left and right buttons for left-handed users
Click to position cursor	Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch	Use clicks to navigate without continuous motion

The accessibility configurations are universally supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Mod developers who experience repetitive strain or other motor limitations may find one or more of these settings useful for sustained development sessions.

Appendix: comparison with other operating systems

Right-click behavior on Windows is not the only convention in the desktop operating system world. The differences are worth understanding for any developer who may work across platforms.

Operating system	Default right-click input	Default right-click action
Windows	Dedicated right mouse button	Open context menu
macOS	Two-finger tap, Control+click, or right side of Magic Mouse	Open context menu
Linux (GNOME)	Dedicated right mouse button	Open context menu
Linux (KDE)	Dedicated right mouse button	Open context menu
ChromeOS	Two-finger tap or Alt+click	Open context menu

The underlying concept is the same across all five systems: a secondary click opens a context menu. The differences are in the input mechanics and in the specific contents of the menu. Mod developers who cross between Windows and macOS for any reason will encounter the Control+click fallback as the most portable right-click method.

Appendix: the Shift-modified right-click

Holding Shift while right-clicking unlocks an additional set of context-menu entries that are hidden in the default right-click menu. The Shift-modified right-click is a power-user technique that mod developers learn early and use continuously.

Shift+right-click target	Hidden entries revealed
File	Copy as path
Folder	Open command window here, Open PowerShell window here, Copy as path
Empty folder space	Open command window here, Open PowerShell window here
Executable file	Run as different user
Desktop	(no additional entries)

The Shift modifier extends the context menu rather than replacing it. The standard entries remain visible alongside the Shift-only additions. The pattern is consistent across every supported version of Windows.

Pro tip

Shift+right-click on a mod project folder, then choose "Open PowerShell window here," is the fastest way to open a terminal directly in the project folder. The action skips the multiple cd commands that would otherwise be needed to navigate from a default PowerShell prompt to the project location.

Did you know?

The "Copy as path" entry, which appears only when Shift is held, is one of the most useful hidden options in Windows. It places the full absolute path to the file or folder on the clipboard, surrounded by double quotes. The quoted-path format is what command-line tools expect when a path contains spaces, which makes it more useful than the un-quoted path produced by a regular copy.

Appendix: right-click and the clipboard

The right-click context menu is the principal user-interface route to the Windows clipboard for non-text operations. Every cut, copy, and paste of a file or folder originates through a right-click in the typical workflow.

Clipboard operation	Right-click method	Keyboard equivalent
Cut	Right-click > Cut	Ctrl+X
Copy	Right-click > Copy	Ctrl+C
Paste	Right-click > Paste (in target folder)	Ctrl+V
Copy as path	Shift+right-click > Copy as path	(no direct equivalent)
Paste shortcut	Right-click > Paste shortcut	(no direct equivalent)

The right-click and keyboard equivalents are interchangeable for the standard operations. The right-click is the only way to reach the "Copy as path" and "Paste shortcut" operations through the user interface; the equivalent keyboard shortcuts do not exist by default.

The flowchart above describes the right-click-driven clipboard operations available on a file. The same operations apply to folders with identical semantics.

Appendix: right-click in compressed archives

Right-clicking inside a compressed archive (typically a .zip or .7z file opened in File Explorer or 7-Zip) produces a different context menu than right-clicking outside an archive. The menu reflects the read-only nature of the archive contents.

Right-click target	Available actions
File inside archive	Open, Extract, Copy, Properties
Folder inside archive	Open, Extract, Copy, Properties
Empty space inside archive	View options, Sort by, Refresh

The most important practical difference is that "Cut" is not available inside an archive. Cutting a file from an archive would imply removing it from the archive, which the Windows built-in ZIP support does not perform reliably. The user must extract the file first, then operate on it normally.

Common mistake

Attempting to edit a file in place inside a ZIP archive. The Windows built-in ZIP viewer allows opening files for read access but does not reliably save changes back to the archive. The correct workflow is to extract the entire archive to a folder, edit the file, and then re-create the archive from the modified folder.

Appendix: right-click history in Unturned modding workflows

The principal right-click-driven workflows in Unturned mod development are summarized below as a single reference. Each entry describes a complete sequence from the right-click through to the workflow outcome.

Workflow	Right-click sequence	Outcome
Extract a downloaded mod template	Right-click the .zip > Extract All > Choose destination	Mod template ready to edit
Open a configuration file in Notepad++	Right-click the .dat > Open with > Notepad++	Configuration file open for editing
Run a packaging script with elevated permissions	Right-click pack.bat > Run as administrator	Build runs with full file-system access
Open the mod folder in PowerShell	Shift+right-click empty space > Open PowerShell window here	Terminal opens in the mod folder
Copy the full path of a file for a configuration reference	Shift+right-click the file > Copy as path	Quoted absolute path on clipboard
Compress a finished mod for distribution	Select files > Right-click > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder	Distributable ZIP archive created
Inspect mod file properties for size and date	Right-click any file > Properties	Properties dialog with metadata
Create a new subfolder inside the mod project	Right-click empty space > New > Folder	Subfolder created, ready to rename
Edit a C# source file in Visual Studio	Right-click the .cs > Open with > Visual Studio	Code editor open at the file
Pin a frequently used mod folder to Quick access	Right-click the folder > Pin to Quick access	Folder visible in File Explorer sidebar

The table is the consolidated reference for the most-used right-click sequences in mod development. Internalizing the table is one of the fastest ways for a new mod developer to move from beginner-level fumbling to fluent operation.

Cross-references

• What is a File Extension? — the previous article in the Getting Started sequence
• How to Use Your Keyboard — the next article in the Getting Started sequence
• What is a Folder? — folder management techniques that use right-click extensively
• How to Create a Steam Account — the next section after Getting Started

Glossary of right-click terminology

The following terms appear in this article and across the broader 57 Studios documentation set.

• Context menu — the menu that appears when the right mouse button is clicked. The contents depend on the right-click target.
• Secondary click — an alternative name for the right-click, used in macOS documentation.
• Modifier key — a key such as Shift, Control, or Alt that changes the meaning of a click or keystroke when held simultaneously.
• Click Lock — a Windows accessibility feature that allows holding a click without keeping the mouse button pressed.
• Precision Touchpad — the Microsoft-standardized driver for laptop trackpads. Supports multi-finger gestures including the two-finger right-click tap.
• Shell extension — a Windows component that adds entries to the context menu. Most shell extensions are installed by applications; some are installed manually.
• Run as administrator — a right-click context menu entry that launches an executable with elevated permissions. Required for some mod development tools.

The glossary terms appear repeatedly across the wiki and are documented here for quick reference.

Document history

Version	Date	Author	Notes
1.0	2024-03-08	57 Studios	Initial publication. Foundational reference for new mod developers.
1.1	2024-07-22	57 Studios	Added trackpad and touch-screen sections. Expanded comparison tables.
1.2	2024-11-14	57 Studios	Added decision flowchart and mod-development action reference.
2.0	2025-04-17	57 Studios	Major revision. Added right-click in common applications appendix, troubleshooting reference, and cross-platform comparison.
2.1	2025-05-17	57 Studios	Added accessibility configuration appendix and glossary.

Appendix: ergonomic considerations for sustained right-clicking

Mod developers who work long sessions notice that the right-click is one of the most frequent actions performed by the mousing hand. The repeated motion can contribute to hand fatigue over a long session, particularly on mice where the right button has a stiff actuation. The 57 Studios internal ergonomics reference recommends several configurations to reduce the cumulative load.

Configuration	Benefit	Notes
Light-actuation mouse switch	Reduced finger force per click	Razer, Logitech, and other gaming mice list actuation force in product specifications
Vertical mouse design	Reduced wrist pronation	Different grip; takes one to two weeks to adapt
Trackpad with two-finger tap	No button press at all	Surface-mounted action distributes force differently
Programmable side buttons	Alternative right-click target	Maps right-click to a thumb button
Larger mouse pad	Less arm motion per cursor traversal	Reduces wrist micro-adjustments
Vertical screen orientation	Lower cursor travel for most workflows	Reduces total clicks per session

The configurations are not mutually exclusive. A mod developer experiencing wrist or hand discomfort during long sessions can adopt several configurations simultaneously.

Best practice

Pause every 45 to 60 minutes during sustained mod development sessions. Stand up, stretch the hand and wrist, and move away from the workstation for at least three minutes. The pause is a documented practice in workstation ergonomics and reduces the cumulative load on the mousing hand.

Appendix: right-click in remote desktop and screen-sharing sessions

Right-click behavior changes subtly when the developer is working through a remote desktop session or a screen-sharing tool. The remote system receives the click but the local input device generates it; the chain of events introduces possibilities for the click to be misinterpreted.

Remote tool	Right-click reliability	Notes
Windows Remote Desktop (RDP)	High	Standard right-click is forwarded faithfully
Parsec	High	Designed for gaming and creative workflows; full right-click support
Microsoft Teams (control hand-off)	Medium	Right-click works but may be delayed
Discord screen share (control hand-off)	Medium	Functional but not always reliable
TeamViewer	High	Mature remote-desktop tooling
VNC	Variable	Depends on the VNC client and server combination

For mod development workflows that span multiple machines, Parsec is the 57 Studios preferred remote-control tool because it forwards right-click events with low latency and faithful timing. The combination matters for development sessions that involve real-time application interaction, where a delayed right-click can produce the wrong context menu target.

Pro tip

When remote-controlling another machine for collaborative mod development, verify that right-click is forwarded correctly at the start of the session. Right-click the desktop and confirm that the context menu appears. If it does not, switch to a different remote tool before proceeding; debugging a remote workflow with broken right-click forwarding consumes far more time than the switch.

Appendix: the right-click and Unturned in-game

Inside Unturned itself, the right mouse button performs game actions distinct from the Windows context menu. The most common in-game right-click action is aiming a held weapon or item. The right-click behavior is local to the running game and does not interact with the Windows context menu in any way.

Mod developers who author weapon configurations interact with the in-game right-click indirectly through the configuration data. The Aim and Aim_Animation fields in a weapon's .dat file describe the behavior the game presents when the player right-clicks while the weapon is held. The configuration is authored in a text editor; the in-game right-click that triggers the behavior is the player's input at runtime.

Item type	Default right-click behavior
Firearm	Aim down sights
Melee weapon	Block or alternate attack
Consumable	Inspect or alternate use
Tool	Item-specific action (defined per item)
Container item	Open inspection view

The in-game right-click behavior is fully configurable per item and is one of the principal ways mod authors differentiate their content from the base game's behavior.

Closing note

Right-clicking is one of the most-used input actions in Windows mod development. The action is simple in mechanics but rich in context: every right-click opens a menu tailored to whatever the cursor was over at the moment of the click. The fluency that develops over time is the ability to predict the menu's contents before the click and to navigate to the desired option without conscious thought.

Beginners who spend their first weeks consciously practicing right-click on every applicable item in File Explorer will internalize the action quickly. The internalization compounds: a single missed right-click costs a few seconds, but the avoided cost across years of mod development is many hours.

The Windows context menu system has been refined across thirty years and remains the principal mechanism by which the operating system exposes secondary actions to the user. Every mod development tool that runs on Windows participates in the convention. Mastery of the right-click is mastery of a foundational layer of the entire Windows experience.

Appendix: right-click telemetry from a 57 Studios development session

For reference, the 57 Studios internal tooling team instrumented a representative mod-development workstation across a single eight-hour session in early 2025. The session involved authoring a new weapon mod from an existing template, including configuration editing, texture work in Photoshop, model adjustments in Blender, and compilation through the studio's packaging script. The session recorded 1,847 total mouse clicks, of which 412 were right-clicks. The breakdown of right-click targets is reproduced below.

Right-click target	Count	Percentage
File in File Explorer	134	32.5%
Folder in File Explorer	87	21.1%
Layer panel in Photoshop	56	13.6%
3D viewport in Blender	48	11.7%
Empty space in File Explorer	31	7.5%
Configuration text selection in Notepad++	24	5.8%
Asset in Unity Project window	18	4.4%
Other application contexts	14	3.4%

The telemetry confirms that File Explorer is the principal right-click target across a typical session, accounting for over 60 percent of all right-click events when files, folders, and empty space are summed together. The remaining right-clicks are distributed across the authoring applications used to create individual mod assets.

Next steps

Continue to How to Use Your Keyboard for the final foundational input skill required for mod development. After completing this section, the next stop is the Steam Setup section beginning with How to Create a Steam Account.