Computer Mouse and Keyboard Basics for Beginners

By / Windows 10, Windows 11 / 6 minutes of reading

Welcome to the first lesson of the At Home Basic Computer Course — a free, jargon-free guide designed for complete beginners. In this lesson we’ll cover how to use a computer mouse and keyboard, including two common mouse settings that cause endless frustration for new users, and the essential keyboard keys every beginner should know.

By the end of this page you’ll be able to:

  • Understand how to use the left and right mouse buttons
  • Fix the double-click speed so your computer responds every time
  • Make the mouse pointer bigger so it’s easier to find on screen
  • Identify the key keyboard keys that will make your PC easier to use
Table Of Contents
  1. How to Use a Computer Mouse for Beginners
  2. How to Change the Double-Click Speed on Your Mouse (Windows 10 and 11)
  3. How to Make the Mouse Pointer (Cursor) Bigger in Windows 10 & 11
  4. Keyboard Basics for Beginners
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Summary

How to Use a Computer Mouse for Beginners

For most beginners, the mouse is the primary tool for controlling a home PC. It moves the onscreen pointer (also called the cursor), and you use it to open programs, click links, and navigate Windows.

Here’s a quick overview of the mouse buttons and what they do:

  • Left click – the button you’ll use most. A single left click selects something; a double left click opens it.
  • Right click – opens a menu of extra options for whatever you’ve clicked on.
  • Scroll wheel – roll it up or down to scroll through web pages and documents.

The most common frustration for beginners is the double-click. If you click too slowly, Windows doesn’t register it. The fix is simple — and we’ll walk you through it below

How to Change the Double-Click Speed on Your Mouse (Windows 10 and 11)

The double-click speed setting controls how quickly you need to press the left button twice for Windows to count it as a double-click. For most beginners, this is set far too fast out of the box, which means double-clicks get “missed” and nothing opens.

The good news is you can slow it right down — and it takes less than two minutes.

Step 1: Open Mouse Settings

Click the Start button and type “mouse settings“. As you type, Windows will start showing results. When you see Mouse Settings (System Settings) at the top of the list, left click it once.

Opening Mouse Settings in Windows 10 to change the double click speed.
Windows 10.
Opening Mouse Settings in Windows 11 to adjust the double click speed.
Windows 11.

Step 2: Open Mouse Properties

On the Mouse Settings page, scroll down to find the Related Settings section.

  • Windows 10 users: click Additional Mouse Options
  • Windows 11 users: click Additional Mouse Settings
Additional mouse options-Windows 10
Windows 10.
Additional mouse settings-Windows 11
Windows 11.

Step 3: Change the Double-Click Speed

The Mouse Properties window will open. Click the Buttons tab if it isn’t already selected.

In the middle of the page, you’ll see the Double-Click Speed slider.
To slow it down, click and drag the slider to the left.

Moving it all the way to the left gives you the most time between clicks — ideal for beginners.

The Double-Click Speed slider is highlighted.
Move the slider left to slow down the double click speed. This’ll give you more time between clicks.

Are You on a Laptop?

If you’re using a laptop, your Mouse Properties window may look slightly different because it includes touchpad settings too.

If you’re using a laptop, your Mouse Properties window may look slightly different because it includes touchpad settings too.
Don’t worry — just click the Buttons tab at the top of the popup window and you’ll find the same double-click speed slider.

The Mouse Properties window may look different for laptop users. Just click the Buttons tab and you will be able to change the double click speed.
A typical laptop Mouse Properties box. They nearly always open at the touchpad settings screen. Just click the buttons tab to get to the double click speed screen.

How to Make the Mouse Pointer (Cursor) Bigger in Windows 10 & 11

Another common problem for beginners is not being able to find the mouse pointer on screen. On modern high-definition screens the pointer can appear very small, and you’ll often find yourself shaking the mouse vigorously just to spot it.

The simple solution is to make the mouse cursor bigger. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Mouse Settings

Click Start, type mouse settings, and click Mouse Settings (System Settings).

Step 2: Find the Pointer Size Setting

In the Related Settings section:

  • Windows 10 users: click Adjust Mouse & Cursor Size
  • Windows 11 users: click Mouse Pointer and Touch (Pointer Size & Colour)
Change pointer size in Windows 10
Windows 10.
Change pointer size in Windows 11
Windows 11.

Step 3: Resize the Cursor

You’ll see a size slider. Drag it to the right to make the pointer larger. There’s no single “correct” size — it’s personal preference and depends on your screen. If you want a recommendation, size 2 or 3 is a good starting point. You don’t want it so large it covers what you’re trying to click on

Close the window when you’re happy and your new pointer size is saved automatically.

Using the pinter size slider in Windows 10 to make the pointer larger.
Drag the slider to the right to increase the size of the pointer.
Moving the cursor size slider button to the right to increase the pointer size.
Windows 11 looks a little different but the principle is the same. Drag the slider to the right to make the pointer larger.

Keyboard Basics for Beginners

Most beginners feel comfortable enough with the alphabet and number keys — those are the same as a typewriter. But there are eight essential keyboard keys that every beginner should know, because they make using Windows much faster and easier.

Find each of these on your keyboard:

Keys indicated by call outs. Tab, Shift, Control (CTRL), Windows, Alt, Enter/Return, Arrows and Backspace.
  1. The Tab Key – Usually marked with two arrows pointing in opposite directions, or the word Tab. Used to move between fields in forms and to indent text.
  2. The Shift Key – Shown as an upward-pointing arrow or the word Shift. Hold it down while pressing a letter to type a capital. Hold it while pressing a key to type the symbol above it.
  3. The Control Key (Ctrl) – Usually labelled Ctrl. This is used in combination with other keys to perform keyboard shortcuts — quick commands that save you reaching for the mouse.
  4. The Windows Key – Shows the Windows logo (it has changed design over the years). Press it on its own to open or close the Start menu. A very handy key to know.
  1. The Alt Key – Always labelled Alt. Used in combination with other keys. The most useful for beginners is Alt + F4, which closes the window you’re currently using.
  2. The Enter / Return Key – May be labelled Enter, Return, a curved arrow, or a combination of all three. It confirms actions— similar to clicking OK — and moves to a new line when you’re typing.
  3. The Arrow Keys – The four arrow keys (up, down, left, right) let you move around documents and menus without using the mouse.
  4. The Backspace Key – Usually shown as a leftward-pointing arrow or labelled Backspace. Deletes the character to the left of your cursor when you’re typing. Press and hold to delete quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

These small changes to your mouse settings can make a huge difference to how comfortable and confident you feel using a PC. Slowing the double click speed makes things work first time and finding where the pointer is on the screen quickly takes out the frustration. You’re in control now.

Take a moment or two to find the 8 keys on your keyboard. Trust me on this you’ll be glad you did.

Lesson 2

Organise Your Start Menu

Set up your Start menu so it works the way you do — easy to navigate, easy to find things. Takes about 10 minutes.

Next Lesson

Course Progress – 1 of 35

Part of the At Home Basic Computer Course — free computer guides for beginners.

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