If your mouse stops working, or you’re using a laptop with a broken touchpad, you might wonder how to right-click without a mouse on Windows 11. Don’t worry — Windows gives you several built-in ways to perform a right-click using just your keyboard or other input methods.
In this guide, we’ll explore multiple methods, explain when each one is useful, and give you step-by-step instructions so you can stay productive — even without a working mouse.
📝 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
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Shift + F10 is the fastest way to right-click using your keyboard.
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Context Menu Key (if available) works like a dedicated right-click button.
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You can enable Mouse Keys to control the cursor and perform right-clicks.
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Touchscreen users can tap and hold to open the right-click menu.
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Third-party tools can customize or remap right-click actions if needed.
Why You Might Need to Right-Click Without a Mouse
Right-clicking is an essential Windows function — it gives you access to context menus with options like copy, paste, rename, properties, and more.
You may need an alternative if:
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Your mouse is broken or disconnected.
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Your touchpad isn’t working on your laptop.
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You are using a keyboard-only setup (e.g., accessibility purposes).
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You prefer productivity shortcuts instead of reaching for the mouse.
Method 1: Use Shift + F10
This is the easiest and fastest method.
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Navigate to the file, folder, or area you want to right-click using the arrow keys.
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Press Shift + F10 on your keyboard.
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The context menu will appear — just like a right-click.
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Use arrow keys to navigate the menu and press Enter to select an option.
💡 Tip: On some laptops, you may need to press Fn + Shift + F10 if the function keys are mapped to media controls.
Method 2: Use the Context Menu Key
Some desktop and laptop keyboards have a dedicated key for right-clicking, usually located near the right Alt or right Ctrl key.
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Place the cursor on the item you want.
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Press the Context Menu key (sometimes marked with an icon of a menu or three horizontal lines).
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The right-click menu will open immediately.
Method 3: Enable Mouse Keys
Windows 11 includes an accessibility feature called Mouse Keys, which lets you move the mouse pointer with the numeric keypad.
How to Turn on Mouse Keys
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to Accessibility > Mouse.
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Turn on Mouse Keys.
How to Right-Click with Mouse Keys
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Move the pointer using the numeric keypad (2 = down, 4 = left, 6 = right, 8 = up).
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Press / (divide key) on the keypad to select the right-click button.
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Press 5 to perform a right-click.
Method 4: Use Touchscreen Long Press (Tablet Mode)
If you’re on a touchscreen device:
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Tap and hold on the item for about 1-2 seconds.
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A context menu will appear, just like a right-click.
This is handy for Surface tablets and other touch-enabled Windows 11 devices.
Method 5: Use Third-Party Tools or Key Remapping
If you frequently work without a mouse, you can remap a key combination to act as a right-click.
Popular tools include:
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AutoHotkey – Allows custom scripts to simulate right-clicks.
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SharpKeys – Simple key remapping tool.
Example AutoHotkey script to remap Caps Lock to right-click:
Method 6: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell
While this is not a true right-click, you can access many right-click actions through command-line tools. For example:
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Rename files with
ren filename.txt newname.txt -
Open file properties using
start shell:AppsFolder\YourApp
This is an advanced method but useful when troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Shift + F10 Not Working?
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Check if Function Lock (Fn Lock) is enabled on your laptop keyboard.
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Try pressing Fn + Shift + F10.
Mouse Keys Not Responding?
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Make sure Num Lock is turned ON.
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Check Settings > Accessibility > Mouse to ensure Mouse Keys are enabled.
Pros and Cons of Each Method
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Shift + F10 | Fast, no setup needed | Requires remembering shortcut |
| Context Menu Key | Dedicated key, easy to press | Not available on all keyboards |
| Mouse Keys | Full control of pointer | Slower navigation |
| Touchscreen Long Press | Intuitive on tablets | Requires touchscreen |
| Key Remapping Tools | Fully customizable | Needs extra software |
When to Use Each Option
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Quick right-click? Use Shift + F10.
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Keyboard with context menu key? Use it — fastest method.
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Broken mouse and need full pointer control? Use Mouse Keys.
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On a tablet? Use long press gesture.
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Power user? Use AutoHotkey for custom shortcuts.
Conclusion
You don’t need a mouse to right-click in Windows 11 — Microsoft gives you multiple ways to get it done using your keyboard, touchscreen, or even scripts. Whether you prefer Shift + F10, the context menu key, or Mouse Keys, you’ll always have a way to access those useful context menus.
Try each method and see which one fits your workflow best. Once you get used to it, you may find you work faster without reaching for a mouse at all!
FAQs
1. What if my keyboard doesn’t have a context menu key?
Use Shift + F10 — it works the same way.
2. Can I right-click without a mouse on a laptop?
Yes, either use Shift + F10 or enable Mouse Keys for full control.
3. Do these methods work in all apps?
Most apps support them, but some modern apps use custom menus — in that case, Mouse Keys works best.
4. Can I create my own right-click shortcut?
Yes, using tools like AutoHotkey, you can remap any key or combination to act as a right-click.
5. Will this work if my touchpad is disabled?
Yes — keyboard shortcuts like Shift + F10 do not depend on the touchpad.