Despite using a desktop computer for decades, I’m continually learning new efficiency tips and hidden features. A mouse click here and a keystroke there can be saved in a variety of ways. Over the course of a week, those few milliseconds can add up to significant savings (or at least reduced frustration), particularly if the majority of your work is done online.
Although both MacOS and Windows 11 have some fantastic things to test, it’s not simply your operating system’s endless options menus that may make your job better.
The mouse and keyboard on your computer are also brimming with capabilities that may make chores easier and faster. There are several ways to make your computer a bit more efficient, such as reopening a closed tab or permanently removing a file without ever using the recycle bin.
However, in my experience, the one computer trick that surprises people the most is one that you can accomplish using your scroll wheel.
The secret purpose of the scroll wheel
The internet is an excellent resource for gathering sporadic pieces of knowledge, but occasionally you come across something you want to look into more.Since clicking on the link would force you to return to the previous page, you should avoid doing so. However, you wish to leave the path open for a later time.
What are you doing? There are other choices available to you, but this is the most effective and streamlined: Simply click on the link with your mouse’s scroll wheel if you’re using one. While lingering over a link, you can instantly open it in a new tab by pressing down on the scroll wheel. This isn’t the most simple way to accomplish it.
When you’re reading anything that connects to other fascinating stories, this tiny tip is fantastic –Once you have finished reading the current tale, just use the scroll-wheel click to open additional tabs and explore them.
We’ll show you how to open new tabs in various ways if you desire. We also offer advice on how to take screenshots of Windows (which you can view in new tabs by clicking the scroll wheel) and how to use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + T.
How to open tabs with links
There are several methods for opening sites in new tabs, which is a handy browsing tool.
To open the link in a new tab automatically, click with your scroll wheel.
Alternatively, you may right-click a link and select “open in new tab.”
Additionally, you may click the link while holding down Ctrl (or command on a Mac).
and a new tab will open with it.
You don’t have to stop reading what you’re reading and you don’t have to wait for pages to load when you go between tabs. I frequently use it for comparison shopping; I just open the items I’m thinking about in many tabs and utilize my browser’s tabs to rapidly compare. It’s also useful when a narrative you’re reading makes mention to another that you want to read without being distracted. After finishing this narrative, simply use your scroll wheel to click the link and have a look.