Computer mouse

A computer mouse is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI (graphical user interface) and can move and select text, icons, files, and folders on your computer.

For desktop computers, the mouse is placed on a flat surface (e.g., mouse pad or desk) in front of your computer. The picture is an example of a Logitech desktop computer mouse with two primary buttons and a wheel.

Who invented the mouse?

The mouse was initially known as the X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System and was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963 while working at Xerox PARC. But, due to Alto’s lack of success, the first widely used application of the mouse was with the Apple Lisa computer. Today, this pointing device is on virtually every computer.

What are the uses of a mouse?

Below is a list of computer mouse functions to give you an idea of all the things a mouse is capable of doing.

1. Move the mouse cursor — The primary function is to move the mouse pointer on the screen.
2. Open or execute a program — Once you’ve moved the pointer to an icon, folder, or another object clicking or double-clicking that object opens the document or executes the program.
3. Select — A mouse also allows you to select text or a file or highlight and select multiple files at once.

• How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.

1. Drag-and-drop — Once something is selected, it can also be moved using the drag-and-drop method.
2. Hover — Moving the mouse cursor over objects with hover information helps discover each object’s function. For example, hover the mouse over the «hover» link to see an example.
3. Scroll — When working with a long document or viewing a long web page, you may need to scroll up or down. To scroll, use the mouse wheel, or click-and-drag the scroll bar.
4. Perform other functions — Many desktop mice also have buttons that can be programmed to perform any function. For example, many mice have two side buttons on the thumb portion of the mouse. The button closest to the palm can be programmed to go back to the previously viewed web page in a browser.

For help with using a mouse and performing all the above functions, see: How to use a computer mouse.

How has the mouse increased computer usability?

When using a computer mouse, you don’t have to memorize commands, such as those utilized in a text-based command line environment like MS-DOS. For example, in MS-DOS, you would need to know the cd command and dir command and type the commands on the keyboard to open a directory (folder) and view its files. Whereas a Windows user only has to double-click to open a folder and see its contents.

Types of computer mice

Below is a listing of all the types of computer mice and pointing devices used with a computer. Today, for a desktop computer, the most common type of mouse is an optical mouse that connects to the USB port and known as a USB mouse. For laptop computers, the most common type of mouse is the touchpad.

Computer mouse ports

Today, most computer mice connect to a computer using a USB port. Below is a list of ports and wireless connections a mouse is capable of using.

What are the parts of a computer mouse?

The parts of a computer mouse can vary by the type of computer mouse. Below is a general overview of the parts found on most computer mice.

Buttons

Today, almost all computer mice have at least two buttons, a left button and right button for clicking and manipulating objects and text. In the past, there were mice with only one button. For example, many of the early Apple computer mice only had one button.

Ball, laser, or LED

A desktop mouse uses a ball and rollers if it’s a mechanical mouse or a laser or LED if it’s an optical mouse. These components track the movement of the mouse on an x-axis and y-axis and move the mouse cursor on the screen. In the picture is an example of the bottom of a mechanical and optical mouse.

Mouse wheel

Today’s desktop computer mice also usually include a mouse wheel that allows you to scroll up and down on a page.

Instead of rolling the wheel, if you push in on the wheel, it can be used as a third button.

Circuit board

To transmit (input) all mouse signal information, clicks, and other information, the mouse must also have a circuit board with integrated circuits.

Cable or wireless receiver

For a corded mouse, it also includes a cable with a plug that connects to the computer. Today, most corded mice connect to the USB port. If your computer has a wireless mouse, it needs a USB wireless receiver to receive the wireless signal and input it into the computer.

Other parts

If you’re using a laptop, some of the above components mentioned earlier are not required. For example, a touchpad does not use a ball, laser, or LED to control movement; it uses your finger on the touchpad. Other parts include a ball for trackball mice, extra buttons on the thumb side of the mouse, and nubs used with laptop mice.

What does a laptop use for a mouse?

Because a laptop is designed for portability, almost all laptops today use a touchpad as the mouse, and some Lenovo laptops still use a TrackPoint. Also, all laptop computers can have a USB corded or wireless mouse attached to them. In the picture is an example of a touchpad found below a laptop keyboard.

Do smartphones use a mouse?

Smartphones and tablets use a touch screen as their primary input device, and therefore your finger is the mouse on these devices. With most tablets, you also have the option to connect a computer mouse and use it on the tablet.

What hand should I use to control the mouse?

By default, a computer mouse is set up to be used with your right hand. However, if you’re left-handed, it can be set up to be used with your left hand.

Although a mouse can be set up for your left hand, some mice are molded for right-hand users and may feel uncomfortable with your left hand.

How can I use or practice using the mouse?

The following page explains the mouse basics, how it’s held, how to connect it, and how it’s used on the computer. Included on the page are interactive examples that help with practicing with the different mouse features.

How do I change my mouse’s batteries?

To change the batteries in your mouse, you slide back the cover on the bottom, switch out the old batteries, and then replace the cover.

Mouse vs. mice or mouses

When talking about one (singular), refer to a computer mouse as a «mouse.» When talking about two or more (plural), refer to them as «mice» (preferred), or «mouses.»

To help prevent confusion, some companies and writers avoid using either plural form of a mouse by referring to multiple mice as «mouse devices.»

Is «mouse» an acronym?

No. Some believe that mouse is short for «manually-operated user-select equipment.» However, when Douglas Engelbart helped invent the mouse, he called it a mouse because the device resembled the rodent.

Устройства, поддерживаемые Центром управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт).

Последняя версия Центра управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) поддерживает несколько версий мышей и клавиатур Майкрософт. Выберите один из следующих заголовков, содержащих список поддерживаемых устройств:

Arc Touch Bluetooth Mouse

Arc Touch Mouse

Basic Optical Mouse v2.0

Basic Optical Mouse

Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse

Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600

Comfort Mouse 3000

Comfort Mouse 4500

Comfort Mouse 6000

Explorer Mini Mouse

Explorer Touch Mouse

IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

Microsoft Arc Mouse

Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 7000

Sculpt Comfort Mouse

Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse

Sculpt Mobile Mouse

Sculpt Touch Mouse

SideWinder X3 Mouse

SideWinder X5 Mouse

SideWinder X8 Mouse

Surface Mobile Mouse

Wedge Touch Mouse

Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 v2.0

Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 v2.0

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500

Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000

Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000

Wireless Mouse 1000

Wireless Mouse 2000

Wireless Mouse 5000

Wireless Mouse 900

Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000

All-in-One Media Keyboard

Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000

Designer Compact Keyboard

Digital Media Keyboard 3000

Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop

Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard

SideWinder X4 Keyboard

SideWinder X6 Keyboard

Wired Keyboard 400

Wired Keyboard 600

Wireless Arc Keyboard

Wireless Comfort Keyboard 5000

Wireless Comfort Keyboard 5050

Wireless Keyboard 850

Wireless Keyboard 900

Wireless Keyboard 1000

Wireless Keyboard 2000 v2.0

Wireless Keyboard 3000 v2.0

Wireless Keyboard 3000

Wireless Keyboard 3050

Wireless Keyboard 6000 v3.0

Wireless Keyboard 800

Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 v2.0

SideWinder X6 Keyboard

Wireless Natural MultiMedia Keyboard

Microsoft Number Pad

Некоторые устройства Майкрософт старых моделей больше не поддерживаются в последней версии Центра управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт). Однако они по-прежнему поддерживаются более старой версией Центра управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) 2.3 в Windows 7 или более ранней версией ПО IntelliPoint 8.2 и IntelliType Pro 8.2 в Windows 7, Windows Vista и Windows XP.

Если вы установили последнюю версию Центра управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) и вам не удается найти и настроить устройство, может потребоваться удалить Центр управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) и использовать Центр управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) 2.3 или IntelliPoint/IntelliType Pro. Скачайте ПО, воспользовавшись следующими ссылками:

Выберите следующий заголовок, чтобы просмотреть мыши Майкрософт, поддерживаемые в Центре управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) 2.3 и программе IntelliPoint:

Центр управления мышью и клавиатурой (Майкрософт) 2.3
(Windows 7)

IntelliPoint 8.2
(Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP)

10 Useful Mouse Tricks For Windows 10 users

I love my mouse! Hey, don’t get me wrong!! I don’t have a pet mouse or something. I am talking about my computer mouse. Yes, I love to use my computer mouse and truly speaking it is one of the niftiest inventions among computer devices. In this first post of mine at TheWindowsClub, I am going to tell you about some of the mouse tricks which I often use, to make life on the Windows computer much easier.

I have noticed that people usually use their mouse just to click open a program or document, open the context menu and to select and drag-and-drop files or folders. But the mouse can do much more on your Windows 10/8/7 PC.

Mouse Tricks For Windows 10

These tricks may not be that useful for everyone, but being a writer, I often need to use them. Although, some of them are quite common and used by many people around – others are lesser-known yet very useful.

1. Select Text Using [SHIFT] Key

This is one of the simplest tricks of the mouse. However you can easily select the text by clicking the left mouse button and dragging it, but this sometimes becomes inept when we want to select till a specific character. Dragging often selects the complete word, and this trick helps there. I also use this trick when my mouse doesn’t drag well.

2. Select Multiple Text Pieces Using [CTRL] Key

This trick is not that common I guess. Using this trick you can select multiple text pieces in a document. Select a text piece and then press and hold the [CTRL] Key and select the next text pieces you want.

Have you ever wanted to select multiple pieces of text on a document? What do you do then? Here’s the answer. Keep the Ctrl key held while selecting text. Again, keeping it pressed, select another piece of text; select the third piece of text and so on.

I must mention here that this trick doesn’t work on the online pages. You can use these tricks only on your Microsoft Office documents only.

3. Select Vertical Text Using [ALT] Key

Do you know how to select the text vertically? It’s very easy, just press and hold the [ALT] key and select the text using the left button of your mouse.

I must mention here that this trick too doesn’t work on online pages. You can use this trick too only on your Microsoft Office documents only.

4. Zoom In and Zoom Out

I often need this trick as my eyesight is a bit weak. I usually work on Word with a Zoomed In page.

If you also want to Zoom in your Word Document just press the [CTRL] and scroll up and [CTRL] and scroll down to zoom out.

5. Maximize Or Close The Window

This is actually quite a common mouse trick, but I find it worth adding in my list of useful mouse tricks. If you want to close a Window, just double-click on the Windows Logo on the top left a corner of your Window.

To maximize or restore the Window, double-click your mouse on the title bar.

6. Open The Link In New Tab

You can open any link in a new tab just by holding the [CTRL] Key and clicking on that link. However just the right-click give us the options to open the link in a new window, new tab and in an incognito window, but this trick helps you save time.

This mouse trick also is helpful when your right-click is not working which is quite a common situation with my Windows PC.

7. Extended Context Menu

We all know that the right-click of our mouse brings up the context menu, but if you want an extended context menu just press and hold [SHIFT] Key while you click the right button of your mouse. Doing this will show an extended context menu.

8. Open Multiple Links

This is one of my favorite and most used mouse tricks. Being a blogger and a writer, I research a lot, and this trick helps me opening multiple links in real-time.

I just press and hold [CTRL] key and click on the links you want to open. All of them will open in a new tab.

9. Auto-Scroll The Window

While reading on the Internet, I often come across posts having long lists or long pages. I hate reading those posts because I hate keeping my fingers on the mouse to scroll deep down.

I was glad to learn this auto scroll trick. I just take the mouse cursor on the scroll bar and click the center button of my mouse, and the whole post gets scrolled automatically. I just click the left button of my mouse, when I want the scrolling to stop.

10. Drag and Drop

People usually press the right button of the mouse to open the context menu, but I use it to move, copy or link a part of my document. I just select the text I want to move/copy and then drag my mouse to a place where I want it to be and click the right button of my mouse. I get the option of Move here, Copy here, Link here, Create hyperlink and Cancel. I select the option I want.

Drag and drop a file into a folder using the right-click. Once you release the mouse button, you will see more options!

If interested, you can take a look at these Mouse middle click button tips as well.

I am done with my list of 10 useful mouse tricks. I am sure there are much more, and I am eager to learn them. If you are using any other tricks which are worth adding in my list, please let me know in the comments box below. Meanwhile, take a look at these Windows 10 Tips and Tricks too.

Date: September 22, 2018 Tags: Mouse, Tips