Some people may have difficulty using a mouse in Windows Vista. If you or someone you know falls into this group, you may be interested in a feature called Mouse Keys.

Mouse Keys allows you to control the mouse pointer with the keyboard. When this feature is active, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse:

7 : Up and Left
8 : Up
9 : Up and Right
4 : Left
6 : Right
1 : Down and Left
2 : Down
3 : Down and Right
Ctrl + Movement Key : Faster Movement (see below to enable)
Shift + Movement Key : Slower Movement (see below to enable)

5 : Mouse Click
+ : Double Click

Ins : Begin Drag
Del : End Drag

/ : Select Left Mouse Button
- : Select Right Mouse Button
* : Select Both Mouse Buttons

To enable this feature:

1. Click on the Start button and type in ease of access

2. The "Ease of Access Center" link should appear. Click it.

3. When the "Ease of Access Center" dialog box appears, scroll down to "Explore all settings" and click "Make the mouse easier to use".

4. When the mouse settings appear, check "Turn on Mouse Keys".

5. Click the "Set up Mouse Keys" link to configure this feature. Options include:

* Enabling / disabling a keyboard shortcut that turns Mouse Keys on or off

* Display a warning or play a sound when enabling / disabling Mouse Keys

* Adjusting the pointer acceleration and top speeds

* Adding the ability to press Ctrl to speed up the pointer or Shift to slow it down

* Enabling Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on or off

* Displaying a notification icon in the Windows Taskbar

6. Click the "Save" button to activate this feature (you may have to scroll down in the dialog box to find the "Save" button).

7. Close the "Ease of Access Center" window.

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Return to the Windows Vista - Mouse page.