How to Use Computer Without Mouse (with Pictures)

Table of contents:

How to Use Computer Without Mouse (with Pictures)
How to Use Computer Without Mouse (with Pictures)
Anonim

This article shows you how to use a computer without having a mouse, but using only the keyboard. You can do this by taking advantage of the functionality that allows you to control the mouse pointer and simulate the left and right buttons using the computer keyboard. This function is supported by both Windows and Mac systems. It is also possible to facilitate the use of the computer without a mouse by using special key combinations, to quickly access all the functions offered by the system.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Windows systems

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 1
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 1

Step 1. Try using the basic key combinations

To quickly select the elements present in the active window, you can use the directional arrows and the Enter key. When you are on the desktop or inside a Windows app (for example the "File Explorer" window), you can press the keyboard key corresponding to the initial letter of the item you want to select. There are also other shortcut key combinations that can be very useful:

  • Alt + Tab ↹ - allows you to cycle through all currently open windows;
  • Alt + F4 - close the application or window currently in use;
  • ⊞ Win + D - minimizes all open windows to be able to view the desktop directly;
  • Ctrl + Esc - displays the "Start" menu;
  • ⊞ Win + E - opens the "File Explorer" system window;
  • ⊞ Win + X - displays the context menu of the "Start" button located in the lower left corner of the desktop;
  • ⊞ Win + I - allows direct access to the Windows "Settings" app;
  • ⊞ Win + A - allows direct access to the Windows notification center.
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 2
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 2

Step 2. Make sure your computer keyboard has a numeric keypad

If there is no grid of number keys similar to that of a telephone or calculator to the right of the keyboard, you will not be able to take advantage of the directions in this method.

However, you will still be able to use the hotkey combinations listed in the previous step

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 3
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 3

Step 3. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon

Windowsstart
Windowsstart

It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. The "Start" menu will appear.

Alternatively you can press the key combination Ctrl + Esc or just the ⊞ Win key

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 4
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 4

Step 4. Type in the accessibility center keywords

Your computer will search for the "Ease of Access Center" program.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 5
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 5

Step 5. Select the Ease of Access Center icon

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the "Start" menu, then hit the Enter key after selecting the correct icon. The "Ease of Access Center" window will appear.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 6
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 6

Step 6. Select the Make the keyboard easier to use link

It is located in the lower central part of the "Ease of Access Center" window. Use the ↓ key to move the selection cursor to the indicated option, then press the Enter key to open the link.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 7
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 7

Step 7. Choose the Set Pointer Control option

It is located at the bottom of the "Keyboard Mouse Control" section located at the top of the window. It is a blue link. Use the ↓ key to move the selection cursor to the indicated option, then press the Enter key.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 8
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 8

Step 8. Activate mouse pointer control using the keyboard

Use the ↓ key to select the "Enable Pointer Control" checkbox, then press the + key.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 9
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 9

Step 9. Scroll down the list to the "Pointer Speed" section

Use the ↓ key to select the "Maximum Speed" slider visible within the "Pointer Speed" section.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 10
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 10

Step 10. Adjust the speed at which the mouse pointer moves

After setting the desired value, you can press the Tab key ↹ to move to the next item:

  • Maximum speed slider - allows you to determine the maximum speed at which the mouse pointer will move while moving it using the keyboard. Press the → key to increase the maximum speed or the ← key to decrease it. The chosen value should be high enough (for example 75% or higher).
  • Acceleration slider - allows you to determine how quickly the mouse pointer will reach its maximum speed of movement. Press the → key to increase the acceleration or the ← key to decrease it. This value should be set to approximately 50%.
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 11
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 11

Step 11. Press the OK button

It is located at the bottom of the window. This will activate the "Pointer Control" functionality and the "Ease of use of the keyboard" window will close.

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 12
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 12

Step 12. Use the numeric keypad on the keyboard to move the mouse pointer

Use keys 4, 8, 6 and 2 to move the mouse pointer left, up, right and down respectively.

  • Use the keys 1, 7, 9 and 3 to move the mouse pointer to the bottom left, top left, top right and bottom right respectively, following an angle of 45 °.
  • If the mouse pointer does not move, press the Num Lock key on the numeric keypad (or press the Fn + Num Lock key combination if you are using a laptop), then try moving the mouse pointer again using the indicated keys.
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 13
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 13

Step 13. Press the button

Step 5. to simulate pressing the left mouse button

It should be the key located exactly in the center of the numeric keypad.

If pressing the 5 key brings up a context menu, press the / key on the numeric keypad to disable the simulation of pressing the right mouse button. At this point the 5 key should work correctly, simulating the operation of the left mouse button

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 14
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 14

Step 14. Display the context menu of an item

All keyboards of computers with Windows operating system are equipped with a key that allows direct access to the context menu of the selected item (for example an icon). It is usually characterized by a square, inside which the symbol ☰ is visible. By pressing the indicated key, the context menu of the selected element will be displayed, exactly as it would be if selecting the latter with the right mouse button.

Remember that, before pressing the indicated key, you must select an item using the 5 key on the numeric keypad because otherwise a generic context menu will be displayed in one of the corners of the screen

Method 2 of 2: Mac

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 15
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 15

Step 1. Try using basic hotkey combinations

To quickly select the elements present in the active window, you can use the directional arrows of the Mac and the Enter key. There are also other shortcut key combinations that can be very useful for carrying out complex operations in a few moments:

  • ⌘ Command + Q - allows you to close an application or the currently active window;
  • ⌘ Command + Space - opens the Spotlight search field exactly in the center of the screen;
  • ⌘ Command + Tab ↹ - allows you to switch between windows;
  • ⌘ Command + N - if the Mac desktop is displayed, opens a new Finder window;
  • Alt + F2 and ⌘ Command + L - pressed in succession, these two key combinations allow you to access the "System Preferences" window;
  • Ctrl + F2 - the "Apple" menu is selected (pressing the Enter key will access the indicated menu).
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 16
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 16

Step 2. Open the "Accessibility Options" window

Depending on your Mac model, you will need to use one of the following hotkey combinations:

  • MacBook with Touch Bar - tap the Touch ID button three times in quick succession;
  • MacBook without Touch Bar - press the key combination Fn + ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + F5;
  • iMac - press the key combination ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + F5.
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 17
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 17

Step 3. Activate the "Mouse Keys" function

Tap the Touch ID key three times (MacBook with Touch Bar) or use the key combination ⌘ Command + ⌥ Option + F5 (for all other Mac models).

Alternatively, you can use the ↓ key to move the cursor to the "Enable Mouse Keys" checkbox, then press the Enter key (or Spacebar on some Macs) to select it

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 18
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 18

Step 4. Do not close the "Accessibility Options" window

This will give you the option to disable the "Mouse Keys" feature using the same hotkey combination you used to activate it.

Unfortunately, while the "Mouse Keys" function is active it is not possible to use the keyboard to enter text or other data

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 19
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 19

Step 5. Move the mouse pointer across the screen

Use the U, 8, O and K keys to move the mouse pointer left, up, right and down respectively.

Use the J, 7, 9 and L keys to move the mouse pointer to the bottom left, top left, top right, and bottom right respectively, at a 45 ° angle

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 20
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 20

Step 6. Press the button

Step 5. to simulate pressing the left mouse button

When the "Mouse Keys" option is activated, the indicated key performs the same function as the left mouse button.

To simulate pressing the right mouse button, hold down the Control key while pressing the 5 key

Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 21
Use Your Computer Without a Mouse Step 21

Step 7. Simulate the action that corresponds to holding down the mouse button

Move its pointer over an icon, then press the M key on your keyboard. In this way you will have the possibility to drag the selected item along the entire screen using the keys indicated to move the mouse pointer.

  • This feature is also very useful for accessing special menus, such as the context menu of the system recycle bin.
  • To release the selected item at the chosen point, press the key.

Recommended:

How to Use the Computer Keyboard (with Pictures)

How to Use the Computer Keyboard (with Pictures)

In order to learn how to use a computer, knowing how to use the keyboard properly plays a fundamental role. The keyboard is the main tool with which you will be able to interact with your computer and allows you to perform a wide range of functions.

How to use the keyboard to simulate the mouse button

How to use the keyboard to simulate the mouse button

This article explains how to use the keyboard to move the mouse cursor and simulate pressing the left and right buttons. This is a very useful feature in case your computer's touchpad or mouse suddenly breaks. You can enable this keyboard functionality on both Windows and Mac systems.

How to Use the Computer Mouse: 15 Steps

How to Use the Computer Mouse: 15 Steps

Learning to use the mouse is one of the first steps to take to properly use a computer. The mouse allows you to move the cursor and click on programs. The following steps will teach you how to use it on PC and Mac, whether it is physically connected to the computer or connected wirelessly.

6 Ways to Transfer Pictures from Digital Camera to Computer without Using any Software

6 Ways to Transfer Pictures from Digital Camera to Computer without Using any Software

Digital cameras have truly liberated that innermost photographer in all of us: they allow us to reach levels of creativity never reached before, so now we take photos by the hundreds! Of course, it's almost impossible to watch them with friends on the small screen on the back of the camera, so the only way to really enjoy them (and get lots of Facebook likes) is to upload them to your computer.

3 Ways to Connect a Logitech Wireless Mouse to a Computer (Windows and Mac)

3 Ways to Connect a Logitech Wireless Mouse to a Computer (Windows and Mac)

This article shows you how to connect a wireless mouse, manufactured by Logitech, to a computer with a Windows operating system or to a Mac. To use a normal wireless mouse, you must connect the USB receiver supplied at the time of purchase to the computer and perform the pairing of the Bluetooth device using the system configuration settings.