Can't Double or Single-Click Microsoft Mouse Buttons

Last reviewed: September 16, 1996
Article ID: Q81162
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver for MS-DOS, versions 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, and 9.0
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver for Windows, version 9.0

SUMMARY

If the primary button on your Microsoft Mouse won't double-click in Windows, try changing the double-click speed or swapping the primary and secondary buttons.

MORE INFORMATION

If your Microsoft Mouse primary button does not seem to be functioning, open the Mouse Control Panel and move the double-click speed bar so that it is on the slowest double-click speed possible.

If that does not help, switch the mouse buttons in the Windows Control Panel to see if the same symptoms occur with the other mouse button set as the primary button. When the buttons are switched, the right button behaves as the left button does normally.

If the problem is severe enough that you cannot open the Windows Control Panel with the mouse, you can use the keyboard to open it. To do this, use the following steps (if you have driver version 8.0 or later, similar steps should be used to open the Mouse Control Panel):

  1. Press ALT+W to open the Program Manager Window menu.

  2. Using the arrow keys, select Main from the list of groups and press ENTER. (Note that Control Panel is in the Main group by default.)

  3. Use the arrow keys to select the Control Panel icon and press ENTER to open it.

  4. With the arrow keys, move to the Mouse icon and press ENTER to start the Mouse Control Panel.

  5. Press TAB to switch the setting of the Swap Left/Right Buttons check box and press the SPACEBAR to activate it, or press ALT+S to activate the Swap option.

If driver version 8.0 or later is being used, from the Mouse Control Panel, choose the Buttons button. You will be prompted to press and release the primary mouse button. Press and release the right mouse button instead of the left button.

With this option activated, try to use the Microsoft Mouse with the buttons swapped (that is, double-click the right button on an icon). If the right button works properly, the left button is probably defective and you should call Microsoft Sales Information Center (MSIC) at (800) 426-9400 to get it repaired. However, if the right button also does not work, take your Microsoft Mouse to another machine that has a working Microsoft Mouse on it (if one is available). Turn off the machine, unplug the working mouse and plug in the suspect Microsoft Mouse. Turn the machine on to see if the suspect Microsoft Mouse now works. The left button should be the primary button and you should be able to use it for double-clicking icons in Windows. If it does work, there may be a software conflict or a port problem on the other machine. If it does not work, call Microsoft Sales Information Center (MSIC) for information on how to return your Microsoft Mouse for repair.

NOTE: Depending on which version of the Microsoft Mouse driver you are using, you may have two separate Mouse Control Panels. One called the "Windows Control Panel" is found by default under the Main group. The other one is the "Mouse" or "BallPoint Mouse" control panel; these are put into their own groups. If you have two control panels, try adjusting the double-click speed in both to make sure they are consistent.


KBCategory: kbhw
KBSubcategory:
Additional reference words: 8.00 8.10 8.0 8.1 8.2 9.0


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 16, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.