ByIf your mouse’s right click on a folder starts opening it in a new tab, then this problem can affect your workflow. In this article, we will tell you 7 effective solutions to this problem that will help you on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
1. Reset mouse settings
Resetting the mouse settings through Control Panel or Settings App often solves this problem.
Steps:
Click the Start menu and open Settings.
Go to Devices > Mouse.
Click on Additional mouse options on the right side.
A new window will open – go to the Buttons tab and click on Restore Defaults.
Press Apply and then OK.
This is the first step to fix the abnormal behavior of mouse buttons.
2. Update or reinstall the mouse driver
Corrupt or outdated drivers can affect the behavior of the mouse.
Steps:
Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
Click Mice and other pointing devices.
Right-click on your mouse and select Update driver.
If the update did not make a difference, select Uninstall device and then restart the system.
After the system restart, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
3. Check the settings of Folder Options
Sometimes this problem occurs due to changes in the Folder Options of File Explorer.
Steps:
Open Control Panel by going to Start.
Click File Explorer Options.
Under the General tab, check if the “Open each folder in its own window” option is selected.
Change it to “Open each folder in the same window”.
Click Apply > OK.
This will stop the folder from opening in a new window or tab every time.
4. Check Context Menu Handlers (Shell Extensions)
Some third-party software adds its Context Menu Handlers, which can affect the right-click process.
Use ShellExView tool:
Download ShellExView from NirSoft’s website.
Run it and scan the list of context menu handlers.
Disable any suspicious or recently installed applications.
Restart the system.
This tool is extremely useful for Windows right-click menu issues.
5. Use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro/Enterprise)
If you are a Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise user, you can also troubleshoot the issue through the Group Policy Editor.
Steps:
Press Windows + R, type `gpedit.msc` and press Enter.
Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
Check Turn off Windows+X hotkeys and other Explorer-related settings.
Set any unusual policies to Not Configured.
This method is suitable for advanced users.
6. Clean the Windows Registry
Incorrect or corrupt registry entries can be the root cause of such problems. We would recommend you follow these steps with caution.
Use the Registry Editor:
Press Windows + R, type `regedit` and press Enter.
Go to this location:
`HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell`
If you see any suspicious keys here, such as a command that says “opennewwindow” – delete it.
Make sure you back up the registry before editing it.
This step is manual but effective.
7. Create a new user account
If all the above solutions fail, this is the last and practical resort.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
Select the “Add someone else to this PC” option.
Create a new user account.
Log in to that account and see if the problem persists.
If everything is normal in the new account, it means the problem is in your old user profile.
Conclusion
If your mouse’s right click is opening a folder in a new tab, then there is no need to panic. You can easily fix this problem with the 7 methods given above. Steps like mouse settings, driver updates, and checking the context menu are the first steps you should try. If these don’t work, registry edit or a new user account can be the last option.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Mouse Right Click Opening the Folder in a New Tab?
Q1: Why does my mouse open the folder in a new window/tab when I right-click it?
Answer: This problem is usually caused by incorrect settings in Windows Explorer, mouse driver error, or third-party applications affecting the context menu.
Q2: Can this problem also be caused by a mouse malfunction?
Answer: Yes, if the mouse’s hardware button is malfunctioning, it may trigger a double click or any other unintentional command. You can check by using another mouse.
Q3: Is ShellExView tool safe?
Answer: Yes, ShellExView is a safe tool developed by NirSoft to manage Windows context menu handlers. Download it only from the official website of NirSoft.
Question 4: Is it safe to use Registry Editor?
Answer: If done carefully and the registry is backed up, Registry Editor can be an effective solution. But it is recommended for advanced users only.
Question 5: Can this problem be caused by a virus or malware?
Answer: In very rare cases, yes. A malware can hijack the context menu. Running a good antivirus scan may be beneficial.
Question 6: Should resetting Windows be the last resort?
Answer: Yes, if all solutions fail, a Reset or a Fresh Install of Windows can be the last resort. But before that, make sure to try all the solutions mentioned above.
Question 7: How does creating a new user account help?
Answer: If the problem is limited to a specific user profile, creating a new account can help see if the problem is system-level or profile-level. If everything works fine with the new account, the old profile may be corrupted.
