- Using Control Panel
- Setting the Window Color
- Turning off Aero
- Setting the Desktop Background
- Setting the Screen Saver
- Setting the Desktop Theme
- Configuring the Monitor
- Configuring the Mouse
- Configuring the Keyboard
- Configuring Sound and Audio Devices
- Setting the Date and Time
- Localizing Your System
- Accommodating Disabled Users
- Using Speech Recognition
- Using Alternative Mouse Behavior
- Conserving Power
- Managing Fonts
- Managing Visual Effects and Performance
- Restoring the Old Windows Look
- Getting General System Information
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Configuring the Mouse
Use the Mouse utility in Control Panel to control settings such as button configuration, double-click speed, mouse pointers, responsiveness, and wheel behavior.
To configure the mouse:
Choose Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Mouse.
or
Choose Start, type mouse in the Search box, and then press Enter.
- To swap the left and right mouse-button functions, choose Buttons tab > check Switch Primary and Secondary Buttons.
- If Windows often interprets your double-clicks as two single clicks, choose Buttons tab > drag the Double-Click Speed slider toward Slow.
- To make dragging easier, choose Buttons tab > check Turn on ClickLock (Figure 4.20); then you can select text or drag icons without holding down the mouse button continuously.
Figure 4.20 ClickLock is a mercy for touchpad users.
To customize mouse pointers, choose Pointers tab > Scheme to set or create a new pointer scheme (Figure 4.21).
Figure 4.21 This tab lets you select predefined pointer schemes (which range from cute to practical), create your own pointer schemes, or browse to select an individual pointer (rather than an entire scheme).
Use the Customize list to change individual pointers (see "The Mouse" in Chapter 1).
- On the Pointer Options tab, adjust how the pointer responds to the mouse's physical actions (Figure 4.22).
Figure 4.22 If the pointer distracts you while you type, check Hide Pointer While Typing. If you need to keep track of the pointer as it moves, check Display Pointer Trails (useful for laptop screens). Adjust the pointer's speed to have it respond more quickly or slowly to mouse movements.
- If your mouse has a wheel, on the Wheel tab, adjust its scroll behavior (Figure 4.23).
Figure 4.23 A mouse wheel can stand in for scroll bars; roll the wheel to scroll up or down a list, document, or webpage. The wheel on some mice can tilt left or right for horizontal scrolling. If your mouse has no wheel, these settings are ignored.
- Click OK (or Apply).
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TIPs
- Fancy mice from Microsoft, Logitech, Kensington, and other manufacturers come with their own driver software. Installing these drivers adds new options and can change some default mouse settings. A cordless mouse may add a tab that indicates remaining battery life, for example. Some drivers add their own Control Panel programs or Start-menu items.
- A computer with a special default pointing device—such as a touchpad on a laptop—may replace the Wheel tab with a tab of controls for that device.
- When you install an alternative pointing device such as a stylus or tablet, look for a Control Panel program or Start-menu item devoted for that device.
- To drag an icon with ClickLock turned on, point to the icon, press the left mouse button for the ClickLock interval, release the button, drag the icon to a destination, and then press the button again for the ClickLock interval.
- To adjust the mouse and insertion point for mobility impairments, see "Accommodating Disabled Users" later in this chapter.
- The Hardware tab lists the pointing devices attached to your computer (Figure 4.24).
Figure 4.24 Click Properties and then click Change Settings to access the same dialog box as the one in Device Manager.
- To access a mouse's device driver, choose Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Device Manager. If a security prompt appears, type an administrator password or confirm the action. In Device Manager, double-click Mice and Other Pointing Devices; then double-click the name of the mouse (Figure 4.25).
Figure 4.25 Like all other peripherals, mice have device drivers that you may want to inspect or update from time to time. See "Managing Device Drivers" in Chapter 8.
- For general information about installing and configuring hardware, see Chapter 8.
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