With Mouse Keys, you can use the numeric keypad on your keyboard—instead of the mouse—to move the pointer.

To turn on Mouse Keys

  1. Open Ease of Access Center by clicking the Start button  Start button icon, clicking Control Panel, clicking Ease of Access, and then clicking Ease of Access Center.

  2. Click Make the mouse easier to use.

  3. Under Control the mouse with the keyboard, select the Turn on Mouse Keys check box.

Moving the pointer using Mouse Keys

After you turn on Mouse Keys, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse.  

To move the mouse pointer

Press

Up and to the left

7

Up

8

Up and to the right

9

Left

4

Right

6

Down and to the left

1

Down

2

Down and to the right

3

Selecting a mouse button

Before you use Mouse Keys to click items on your screen, you must first select which mouse button you want to be the active button: the left button, the right one, or both.

To

Press

Select the left mouse button

The forward slash (/)

Select both buttons

The asterisk (✲)

Select the right mouse button

The minus sign (-)

Note: If you choose to make the left mouse button the active button, it will remain the active button until you choose another button. After you select a mouse button, you don't need to select a mouse button again until you want to change buttons.

Clicking items using Mouse Keys

After you choose a button, you can click items on your screen.

To

Do this

Click an item

With the left button selected as your active button, point to the item, and then press 5

Right-click 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 (+)

Dragging items using Mouse Keys

You can use the numeric keypad to press and hold the active mouse button and to release it. This is helpful if you want to drag an item.

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 (.)

Notes: 

  • You can use the numeric keypad to press and hold the active mouse button and to release it. This is helpful if you want to drag an item.

  • To change options like how quickly the mouse pointer moves and whether your computer makes a sound when you turn on Mouse Keys, in the Ease of Access Center, under Control the mouse with the keyboard, click Set up Mouse Keys.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.