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.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using the Mouse on PC
Step 1. Get familiar with the mouse
The front of the mouse has two buttons, left and right, which you can click. These allow you to open programs and menus. In the center between the two is a wheel that allows you to scroll up and down the pages.
- You can use your index finger to click the left button and your middle finger to click the right button.
- Under the mouse there is a sensor that allows the device to understand where it needs to move.
- A wireless mouse will have a compartment to insert the batteries into and may have a button for turning it on and off.
Step 2. Place the mouse on a clean, smooth surface, preferably a mousepad
This allows the device to move without obstacles. You may have problems with the mouse if it does not scroll smoothly.
Step 3. Gently grasp it with your primary hand
You don't have to squeeze or click too hard. Relax your fingers and hold the mouse at elbow level. If your hand gets tired, take a break.
Step 4. Connect it to the PC via the USB cable
The device has a cable attached or will be included in the box if it is a wireless mouse. USB ports are located in different locations depending on the computer, but laptops generally have them on one side of the keyboard; most desktops usually have them on the front or back of the case or monitor.
- Look for a small rectangular port roughly the same size as your mouse's USB connector.
- Insert the connector into the port. Turn the USB connector upside down if it doesn't fit on the first try, but never forcing too much.
Step 5. Connect the mouse via bluetooth if necessary
Plug the bluetooth transceiver into a USB port, then press and hold the connect button on it for 5 seconds. At this point the connection wizard will open on the PC monitor, so follow the instructions to connect the mouse.
Step 6. Make sure the mouse is working
The computer must be turned on and you should see a cursor on the screen that you can control by moving the mouse. If the device doesn't work, try plugging the connector into another USB port or unplug and plug it back in. Also, make sure that if it is a wireless mouse it is turned on and has batteries inserted.
Step 7. Practice clicking with the mouse
The left button is the main one for right-handers, while the right button is the main one for left-handers. Press the main button once to click on something and twice in a row to "double click" on a program or menu. Pressing the non-primary button is said to "click the right button".
- A single click often selects an item or opens a menu.
- Double-clicking is usually used to open a file or folder.
- Right-clicking generally displays a list of things you can do in relation to the selected item.
Step 8. Practice scrolling pages and dragging items with the mouse
Move the wheel using your index finger to scroll pages up and down. To drag an object, place the cursor over it, press and hold the main button and move the mouse to the new location. Leave the main button when done.
Step 9. Configure the mouse according to your needs
You can change how fast the cursor moves on the screen, change the main button if you are left handed, and even change the appearance of the pointer. To do this, enter the PC settings.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Mac Mouse
Step 1. Get familiar with the "Magic Mouse"
The Mac mouse is called "Magic Mouse" and does not have the same buttons as the PC mouse. It is wireless and does not operate via buttons, but via a chip. It has a button for switching on and off and a sensor on the back.
Step 2. Set up the mouse via bluetooth
First, put the batteries in the device and charge them with the cable you find in the package. Then, use your computer's trackpad to open mouse system preferences by clicking "System Preferences" from the Apple menu and then "mouse".
- Then, click on "Configure bluetooth mouse" in the lower right corner. At this point, turn on the device by placing the button on "on".
- The mouse should now work.
- If the indicator light on the bottom of the device does not light up or flash when you turn it on, make sure the batteries are charged and installed correctly.
Step 3. Click on the mouse
With the Mac mouse you can press any part of the surface to click on a program or menu. If you want to "right click", press the upper right part of the device. If you are left handed, you can configure the mouse so that "right clicking" corresponds to pressing the left corner of the device.
- Go to "System Preferences" (it is a gray gear icon at the bottom of the monitor) then click on "mouse" to configure the device.
- You can also disable the multi-touch functions if you want to use it with a PC mouse.
Step 4. Scroll with the mouse by swiping your finger vertically
This way the pages will move up and down. If you move your finger horizontally or in a circle, you can move around a document or image accordingly.
Step 5. Swipe two fingers left or right to flip pages
Using two fingers, swipe left or right. This will scroll pages in Safari, photos in iPhoto or songs in iTunes.
Step 6. Zoom in on something using the mouse
By holding down the "control" key on the keyboard and swiping up, you can zoom in on an item on the screen. Holding "control" and scrolling down shrinks the item.
Advice
- The Magic Mouse Mac connects via bluetooth and does not need to be connected to the PC.
- Visit the troubleshooting pages if your mouse is connected and installed, but it doesn't work.
- If the mouse does not work well, the ball used for scrolling may need to be cleaned, although mice with a ball are now quite rare.
