A new computer tip every day for a year
Day 82 / 365
We use the mouse a lot while using the computer. We click on links, click in documents, move windows around, start programs and do many other routine tasks. The mouse has become indispensable. But there is a lot more you can do with the mouse to save you time and make things easier. Here are a few things you can do that you may not know about when using web browsers.
Go to a link in a new tab with one click
Hold SHIFT and CTRL down before clicking a link on a web page. The browser will open a new tab before you go to the link’s destination. When you're done, close the new tab and you will be back where you were when you clicked on the link. Internet Explorer will even color-code the tabs when you do this.
You can also hold SHIFT and CTRL before clicking a link on the bookmarks (favorites) bar. This will do the same thing – it opens a new tab before going to the link chosen.
Close a tab with one click
Move the mouse over a tab in a browser and press the mouse scroll wheel (don’t roll it; press down on it). This will close the tab.
Rearrange your tabs
You can reorganize your tabs any way you want. Simply click on a tab and drag it to a new location. The other tabs will move to make room.
Opening a new window
When reorganizing your tabs you may have accidentally noticed another feature. Google’s Chrome browser and other newer versions of browsers allow you to open a new window and place the dragged tab in that new window. Drag any tab down off of the tab row and it will become its own window when you release the mouse button.
Becky Worley has a 2.5 minute video about other mouse shortcuts. If you’re interested in learning more mouse tips go to this link and take a look.
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Come back soon for another tip in this 365-tip series.
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