Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Excel Opening a Copy of the File When Hovering in File Explorer

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences an issue where hovering over a protected Excel workbook in Windows File Explorer automatically opens a copy of the file.

How to Stop Excel from Opening a Copy When Hovering in File Explorer

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Navigating and selecting files within Windows File Explorer.
Observed behavior: Excel automatically launches and opens a copy of a protected workbook simply by hovering the mouse pointer over the file icon, even though the Windows setting to activate windows by hovering is already disabled.

Before you start

Ensure that you have saved your work and closed any active Excel applications to prevent accidental data loss while adjusting system folder settings and testing mouse hardware.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Change File Explorer Click Settings

Ensure that Windows is explicitly set to require a double-click to open files, which prevents accidental launches when simply selecting or hovering.

Sometimes system updates or accidental keystrokes can alter how Windows File Explorer interprets mouse clicks. Resetting the folder options ensures that files are only opened when deliberately double-clicked.

Open File Explorer

Press the 'Windows + E' keys simultaneously on your keyboard to launch a new File Explorer window.

Access Folder Options

Click on the three-dot menu (More options) at the top of the window, or go to the 'View' tab on older versions of Windows, and select 'Options' to open the Folder Options dialog box.

Modify Click Configurations

Under the 'General' tab, locate the 'Click items as follows' section. Select the radio button labeled 'Double-click to open an item (single-click to select)'.

Apply Changes

Click the 'Apply' button, then click 'OK' to save your new settings and close the dialog box.

Verify and Change File Explorer Click Settings

Settings Applied: Your files will now require a firm double-click to open, bypassing sensitivity triggers related to hovering.

Solution 2

Test in Windows Safe Mode and Check Mouse Hardware

Boot into Safe Mode to determine if corrupted mouse drivers, background software, or a faulty mouse hardware switch is causing the phantom hovering clicks.

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1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your Windows PC.
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3. Open Your Workbooks: Double-click your existing .xlsx files to securely open them in WPS Spreadsheet, avoiding the unexpected phantom-click issues encountered previously.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC register a click when I am only hovering over an Excel file?

This is often caused by a faulty microswitch inside your computer mouse, which registers false 'phantom' clicks. It can also be caused by misconfigured Windows accessibility settings, such as the option to 'Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse'.

Does protecting an Excel workbook change how Windows File Explorer handles it?

No, protecting a workbook only encrypts the file or restricts editing access within the Excel application itself. It does not change how the Windows operating system interacts with the file icon in File Explorer.

How can I disable 'activate windows by hovering' in Windows?

Open the Windows Control Panel, go to the 'Ease of Access Center', select 'Make the mouse easier to use', and uncheck the box that says 'Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse'. Click Apply and OK to save your changes.

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