The middle click button is not used as frequently as the right and left clicks but has several useful features that make it one of a kind. However, numerous laptops only feature a trackpad and buttons for left and right-click, and middle-click button is usually left in the dark.
To middle-click on a laptop, enable the tap-clicking option from touchpad settings and simultaneously use the left and right mouse buttons. On laptops that support multi-finger taps, assign a three-tap or four-tap gesture to middle-click.
We have developed an extensive step-by-step write-up covering the functions/shortcuts performed by middle-clicking and some methods of simulating this feature on your laptop.
What Does a Middle-Click Do?
Here are some of the things you can do with middle-click.
- Open a new app instance on the taskbar.
- Open a link in the new tab.
- Close a tab in the browser.
- Auto-scroll on web pages.
- Open all bookmarks at once.
Methods for Emulating Middle-Click on Your Laptop
Our 5 step-by-step methods will help you perform this task without much hassle if you are contemplating how to middle-click on a laptop.
Method #1: Simulating Middle-Click on a Regular Touchpad
Here are the steps to follow for simulating middle-click on a standard touchpad.
- Navigate to Control Panel > “Mouse“> “Pen & Touch” and find out if the OEM has an option for the middle button.
- Install the Synaptic Touchpad Driver on your computer if you don’t have it already.
- Go to the Synaptic Touchpad configuration screen.
- Navigate to “Tapping” > “Tap Zones” > “Bottom-Left Actions” and choose “Middle Click“.
Another way to middle-click on a standard touchpad is by pressing both buttons simultaneously on the touch surface.
Method #2: Enabling Middle-Click on a Non-Precision Touchpad
If you don’t have a precision touchpad on your computer, here is what you need to do to enable middle-click.
- Click the Start button, type “Control Panel“, and press on the first search result that appears.
- Click on the top-right and change the view to icons view; large or small icons work fine.
- Locate an option saying “Touchpad” or “Synaptic“.
- Find the option for middle-click and click to enable it.
Method #3: Assigning a Three-Finger Tap Gesture for Middle-Click
Follow these steps to assign the three-finger tap gesture for the middle-click in Windows 11.
- Go to Settings by pressing Start + I.
- Choose “Bluetooth & Devices” from the sidebar and select “Touchpad“.
- Navigate to “Three-Finger Gestures“> “Middle Mouse Button“.
Once you click on the middle button option, the changes will be automatically saved, allowing you to use the three-tap gesture for the middle click.
Method #4: Assigning a Four-Tap Gesture for Middle-Click
The four-tap motion is almost the same as the three-finger one, the only difference being that it uses four fingers instead of three. To enable this gesture on your computer, follow these steps.
- Open Windows 11 Settings.
- Navigate to “Bluetooth & Devices” > “Touchpad” > “Four-Finger Gestures“.
- Choose the “Middle Mouse Button” option.
The gesture will get saved automatically, and you can now use it freely.
Method #5: Using AutoHotKey
Another option for emulating middle-click on your computer is using AutoHotKey. After installing this free application, create a script with the following code to do a middle click when the left and right touchpad buttons are clicked simultaneously.
~LButton & RButton::MouseClick, Middle~RButton & LButton::MouseClick, Middle
The AutoHotKey option has flaws, so be extremely careful while using it.
Using Middle Button Actions on Chrome and Firefox
After enabling the middle click, the middle-button option also serves as an alternative for Ctrl + Left Click; you can use it on browsers like Chrome and Firefox to open a new tab. For instance, when you click the back button via middle-click, the browser will open the previous page in a new tab. Similarly, the next page will open up when you perform the same action for the forward button.
You can also use this on bookmark groups, refresh buttons, and perform multiple other configurations.
Summary
In this write-up on middle-clicking on a laptop, we have explored numerous shortcuts performed by the middle button and some methods for emulating this feature on your computer. We have also discussed enabling middle-click actions in browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
Hopefully, one of these methods has worked for you, and now you can enjoy all the incredible features on your laptop that you couldn’t previously.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be numerous reasons for the middle click not working on your laptop. Some of them include wrong device settings, hardware issues, incorrect Windows configuration, and absence of drivers, among many others. You can find multiple quick fixes on the web to get your middle button back to work.
To change the middle click on Windows 10, navigate to Settings > “Devices“> “Touchpad“. Locate the text saying, “Your PC has a precision touchpad”. If you can locate this phrase, scroll down and find three-finger gestures. You can now change it to the middle mouse button.
