This post shows students and new users the steps to use the mouse keys to move the mouse pointer in Windows 11. Windows comes with a bunch of accessibility features, including increasing the mouse pointer, changing the pointer color mouse and others to help people with low vision or some type of visual impairment.
Windows also allows users to use the number pad on their keyboard, instead of the mouse, to move the pointer. After activating the mouse keys, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse.
Before using the mouse keys to click items on the screen, you must first select which mouse button you want to be the active button: the left button, the right button, or both.
With all the accessibility features available in Windows 11, one can be sure of using Windows despite disabilities, low or poor vision.
Here’s how to enable mouse keys in Windows 11
How to enable disabling mouse keys in Windows 11
As mentioned above, you can use the mouse keys in Windows to move the mouse pointer in Windows 11. Here’s how to do it.
Windows 11 has a centralized location for most of its setup applications. From system settings to creating new users and updating Windows, everything can be done from the System settings crystal.
To access the System Settings, you can use the Windows key + i shortcut or click Start ==> Settings as shown in the following picture:
Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and find Settings. Then select to open it.
The Windows settings panel should look similar to the image below. In Windows settings, click Bluetooth and devices, Select Mouse on the right panel of the screen shown in the image below.
In the mouse settings panel, select the Mouse keys tile and move the button to the on position to enable the mouse keys.
After turning it on, you must first select which mouse button you want to be the active button: the left button, the right button, or both.
| TO | printing |
|---|---|
| Select the left mouse button | The forward slash (/) |
| Select both buttons | The asterisk (✲) |
| Select the right mouse button | The minus sign (-) |
After choosing a button, you can click on items on its screen using the keys below.
| TO | Do this |
|---|---|
| Click on an item | With the left button selected as your active button, point to the item and then press 5 |
| Right click on an item | With the right button selected as your active button, point to the item and then press 5 |
| Double click an item | With the left button selected as your active button, point to the item and press the plus sign (+) |
Hold down the active mouse button to drag an item to the desired location, then release it.
| TO | Do this |
|---|---|
| Drag an item | Point to the item and then press zero (0) |
| Drop an item | Point to the location where you want to move the item, and then press the decimal point (.) |
How to disable mouse keys in Windows 11
If the mouse keys are enabled and you want to disable them, just reverse the steps above by going to the Start menu ==> Settings ==> Accessibility ==> Mouse and move the button to Off position.
You should do that!
Conclusion:
In this tutorial we have seen how to enable and use mouse keys in Windows 11. If you find any errors above or have something to add, use the comment form below.
