How to Use the MouseKeys Feature in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me (139517)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q139517

SUMMARY

You can use the MouseKeys feature to control the mouse pointer with the keyboard. Although Windows 95 and Windows 98 are designed so that you can perform all actions without a mouse, some programs may still require one. Additionally, a mouse may be more convenient for some tasks.

The MouseKeys feature is also useful for graphic artists and others who need to position the mouse pointer with great accuracy. You do not need to have a mouse to use the MouseKeys feature.

MORE INFORMATION

Turning MouseKeys On and Setting Options

  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Accessibility Options icon.
  3. On the Mouse tab, click the Use MouseKeys check box to select it.
  4. Click Settings.
  5. Set the options you want, and then click OK.
  6. Click OK to return to Control Panel.

Turning MouseKeys on Using the Keyboard

  1. Press CTRL+ESC to open the Start menu.
  2. Use the ARROW keys to select Settings, press RIGHT ARROW to select Control Panel, and then press ENTER.
  3. Use the ARROW KEYS to select the Accessibility Options icon, and then press ENTER.
  4. Press SHIFT+TAB to select the Keyboard tab, and then press RIGHT ARROW until the Mouse tab is selected.
  5. Press ALT+M to select the Use MouseKeys check box.
  6. To configure the MouseKeys options, press the S key.
  7. Set the options you want, and then press ENTER.
  8. Press ENTER to return to Control Panel.
If you have the Keyboard Shortcut option for MouseKeys enabled, you can press LEFT ALT+LEFT SHIFT+NUM LOCK. This key combination activates the emergency keystroke for MouseKeys. You might, for example, want to use this keystroke with a system policy or user profile in which the shortcut option is turned on but MouseKeys is turned off.

Moving the Mouse Pointer with MouseKeys

When MouseKeys is active, use the following keys to move the mouse pointer:
  • On the numeric keypad, press any of the numeric keys immediately surrounding the 5 key to move the pointer in the direction indicated by the arrows on the keys.
  • Press the 5 key for a single mouse click and the plus sign key (+) for a double-click.
  • To drag an object, place the pointer on the object and press the INSERT key to begin dragging. Press DELETE to release the object.
  • To select the left, right, or both mouse buttons for clicking, press the slash key (/), the minus key (-), or the asterisk key (*), respectively.
  • To cause the pointer to jump across large sections of the screen, hold down the CTRL key while you press the movement keys.
  • To move the pointer a single pixel at a time for greater accuracy, hold down the SHIFT key while you press the movement keys.

Using NUM LOCK to Toggle the Numeric Keypad

You can use the NUM LOCK key to toggle the numeric keypad from a MouseKeys control pad to a regular numeric keypad. This feature can be useful with laptop or notebook computers that do not have a separate numeric keypad.

REFERENCES

Microsoft Windows 95 "Resource Kit," pages 1244-1246
Microsoft Windows 98 "Resource Kit," pages 1634-1636
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/14/2005
Keywords:kbenable kbEnableMove kbEnableSight kbhowto KB139517
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