Summary
It’s usually a good idea to personalize a mouse so that it works the way you want it to, even if you can use a wired, wireless, or Bluetooth mouse as soon as you attach it to your PC. There are several mouse options in Windows 10 that might assist you with that.
For example, you may switch the left and right mouse buttons, alter the pointer’s look, or alter the cursor’s speed. You will be guided through all of Windows 10’s mouse-related features by this comprehensive guide to mouse settings.
Simple Mouse Settings in the Settings App
In Windows 10, the Settings app offers instant access to some of the most frequently used mouse settings.
To access Devices, open the Start menu and choose Settings. Next, choose Mouse from the sidebar.
Choose your main button: Move the main mouse button to either the left (default) or right (default). This is the first setting you may wish to change if you prefer to use a mouse with your left hand.
Cursor speed: To change the cursor speed, drag the slider to the left or right. Increase the speed if you are having trouble moving it from one end of the screen to the other. However, you might try slowing it down if it seems too quick.
To scroll, use the mouse wheel. You may program the mouse wheel to scroll a single line or the full screen at once. The latter is quick, although it can come as a shock.
Select the number of lines to scroll each time: In case you want to browse through many lines, use the slider to choose the precise quantity.
When I hover over idle windows, they scroll: When you have your mouse over any window, decide whether you wish to scroll through its contents. You may want to keep this option enabled if you often multitask by using several windows. On the other hand, if you want to prevent accidentally scrolling across inactive windows, disable it.
Accessibility of the Settings App’s Options
There are a few mouse-related Ease of Access options in Windows 10. To access them, open the Settings app and choose Ease of Access.
The first set of options may be found on the sidebar under Mouse Pointer.
Modify the pointer’s size by dragging the slider to make it bigger or smaller.
Change the color of the pointer by selecting a different color scheme. For instance, you may choose a custom color or alter the normal white pointer to a black one, depending on the backdrop color.
On the sidebar, under Text Cursor, is a list of the second set of options.
Activate text cursor indication: To enhance the visibility of your typing, activate the text cursor indicator. Next, choose a color and adjust the indicator’s color by sliding over it.
Text cursor thickness may be changed by using the slider to make it thicker or thinner.
Getting in to the Mouse Properties Window
The majority of Windows 10’s mouse options are found in the Mouse Properties pane. To access it, go to Settings > Devices > Mouse > Related settings and choose Additional mouse options.
Mouse Properties is a classic dialog box with five tabs: Wheel, Hardware, Pointers, Buttons, and Pointer Options. A few of them include options that resemble those found in the options app. Below, we’ll take you through each tab in more depth.
Properties of the Mouse: Buttons Tab
The Mouse Properties pane’s Buttons tab, as its name implies, focuses on the functionality of your mouse’s buttons.
Configure the buttons by switching the left and right default buttons.
Double-click speed: To find out how quickly double-clicking works on your computer, use the slider. Try slowing down if you’re having problems accessing files and folders.
To drag files and folders without clicking and holding them, turn on the ClickLock feature. Rather, press and hold the button to begin choosing an item (choose Settings to specify the time). To release the object, then move the cursor and press the main button once again.
Pointers Tab in Mouse Properties
The Pointers tab is designed to alter the mouse cursor’s visual look. You get to increase exposure and include a little personality.
Scheme: Select an alternate mouse pointer (Windows Black, Windows Inverted, Windows Standard, etc.) to replace the Windows default mouse pointer. Before applying the scheme, use the preview pane to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Personalize: Tailor each scheme’s contextual cursors to your liking. Double-click an action (e.g., Text choose, Busy, Working in Background) to choose a different.ANI or.CUR file from the third-party icon pack or the built-in library. Feel free to explore; you can always pick Default to undo any changes.
Turn on pointer shadowing to give the mouse cursor a shadow. This marginally eases the task of tracking the cursor as you move it.
Pointer Options Tab in the Mouse Properties
More mouse pointer customization options are available via the Pointer Options tab in the Mouse Properties window.
Motion: Choose a speed for the pointer: To adjust the pointer’s speed, drag the slider.
Motion – Improve pointer accuracy: If you would rather have mouse acceleration in Windows 10, turn this option on. Despite its name, the feature will result in less accuracy from your cursor!
Snap to: Positions the cursor automatically on the dialog box’s default button. If you would rather have complete control over your mouse, leave it disabled.
Visibility – Show pointer trails: Move the mouse from Short to Long or vice versa to add a trail and measure its length. If you find it difficult to follow the cursor, this is the best solution for you.
Visibility – Hide pointer when typing: Try turning on this feature if the cursor continues getting in the way of your typing.
Visibility – Pointer position when I hit the CTRL key: Pressing Control can assist you find the cursor if you are having problems seeing it.
Wheel Tab in the Mouse Properties
You may adjust the scroll wheel on your mouse by selecting the Wheel tab.
Vertical Scrolling: To scroll a certain number of lines at a time, check the radio button next to The following number of lines at a time. If you would want to scroll a single screen at a time, you may also choose One screen at a time.
Horizontal Scrolling: Enter a number to indicate how many lines you want to scroll horizontally if the tilt feature of your mouse’s scroll wheel allows it.
Hardware Tab in Mouse Properties
A list of all the mice and other pointing devices that are attached to your computer may be seen under the Hardware tab. To see device properties and driver information, select a device and choose Properties.
You may update the driver, roll it back, deactivate and re-enable the device, and other options by visiting this window if you’re having problems using the mouse. As an alternative, you may utilize the Device Manager to repair your mouse.
Extra Control Panel Accessibility Settings
Aside from the aforementioned choices, Windows 10 also comes with an extra set of accessibility-focused features. To access them, visit the Control Panel, then choose Ease of Access > Adjust mouse behavior.
Mouse Pointers: Adjust the mouse pointer’s size and color (this overlaps with the color schemes under the Pointers tab of the Mouse Properties pane and the Ease of Access pane of the Settings app).
Keyboard control of the mouse: To use your keyboard to move the cursor, check the box next to Turn on Mouse Keys. Using the cursor in this way might be helpful when debugging a pointing device.
Streamline window management: It has two settings that allow you to stop Windows from automatically arranging windows when you move them to the edge of the screen and to activate windows by hovering over them.
Remember to Use Any Specific Mouse Software
Use any specific mouse support software in addition to the Windows mouse settings mentioned above. For instance, you may adjust the functionality of Logitech mice using the Logitech Options app. These are often simpler to use and improve the built-in features of some mouse, such the Logitech MX Master 3. Visit the website of the mouse’s maker to download and set up any necessary support apps.