How to Fix a Mouse That Double-Clicks Automatically

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It is incredibly frustrating when you try to select a file with a single click, but your mouse opens it instead. Before you throw away your mouse and buy a new one, the issue is often just a simple Windows software setting. Here is how to fix the phantom double-click.

How to Fix It:

1. Open File Explorer Options: Press the Start button, type Control Panel, and hit Enter. Change the view at the top right to Large icons, then click on File Explorer Options.

2. Check Click Settings: In the General tab, look at the "Click items as follows" section. Make sure that Double-click to open an item (single-click to select) is checked. If "Single-click to open an item" was active, that was causing your problem! Click Apply.

3. Adjust Double-Click Speed: If the setting above was correct, go back to the main Control Panel screen and click on Mouse.

4. Change the Speed Slider: In the Buttons tab, find the "Double-click speed" slider. If it is set too fast, Windows might register a slightly slow single click as a double-click. Drag the slider slightly towards Slow, click Apply, and test it on the folder icon next to it.

A quick settings tweak is usually all it takes to restore perfect control to your mouse!