Switch Primary Mouse Button in Ubuntu
Switching the primary mouse button in Ubuntu reverses the left and right click functions so the right button handles your main actions. This setting helps left-handed people use their mouse comfortably without awkward finger positioning.
Ubuntu runs on a default left-click setup used by most operating systems, but you can change this preference through the standard system settings menu in just a few clicks.
Open Settings , then click Mouse & Touchpad. Under General, select Right as the primary button to make your right mouse button the default for clicking and selecting.
How to switch the primary mouse button in Ubuntu Linux
To switch mouse button Ubuntu settings and swap your left and right clicks, open the Settings app from your system menu, select the Mouse & Touchpad tab, and choose your preferred primary button option. This changes the main click to the right side of your mouse, which helps left-handed users navigate comfortably without needing extra software or complex command-line tweaks.
System settings manage hardware, accounts, and updates from one location. Opening this menu takes a click on the top-right corner of the desktop.
Alternatively, click on the System menu at the top-right corner of your desktop’s top bar.
Select Settings from the System menu, as highlighted below.
Click on the Mouse & Touchpad tile in the Settings app to open the panel.
In the Mouse & Touchpad panel, look for the General section and choose Right or Left to switch the primary button.
Closing the Settings app saves the preference automatically.
Changing the primary mouse button in Ubuntu Linux improves the experience for left-handed users.
- Changing the primary mouse button in Ubuntu Linux can greatly improve the experience for left-handed users.
- By following the simple steps outlined in this post, users can comfortably swap the behavior of the left and right mouse buttons.
- Accessing the System Settings panel and navigating to the Mouse & Touchpad section allows a quick adjustment to the primary button setting.
- This guide provides an accessible solution for customizing the mouse behavior in Ubuntu Linux, catering to diverse user preferences.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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