For beginners, the computer mouse is probably the most important tool for controlling their PC. It’s so easy, just point and click. But there are two issues that can be a nuisance.
Firstly the mouse click speed (or double click speed to be precise). It’s often set much too high. Then there’s the size of the pointer (cursor). That can often be too small. We’ll fix both issues.
Generally speaking the keyboard will just work, there’s not usually anything that you’ll need to do as regards its settings.
However there are a few keyboard basics that you’re going to want to learn.
Change The Mouse Double Click Speed.
The click speed is the setting that controls how quickly you need to double click in order for the computer to register it.
You can slow down the double click speed to make it more comfortable to use. It’s easy to do and can be undone at any time.
To change the mouse click speed, left click on the Start button and then type “mouse settings“ without the quotes.
As you type, Windows will try to guess what you’re looking for. You’ll see the suggestions appearing and disappearing in the results panel as you add more letters.
Left-click once on Mouse Settings (System Settings), which will eventually appear at the top of the list.
Windows 10 Users.
If this is the first time that you’ve searched for something from the Start menu, then you might be wandering where do you type?
In Windows 10, when you click the Start button, there isn’t a box to type into and that can through some people off.
The search box appears as soon as you begin typing. Try it for yourself. Just click on the Start button and then begin typing, you’ll see the search box will appear.
The Mouse Settings Page.
On the Mouse Settings page, look for the Related Settings section.
You might need to scroll down a little, or if you’ve got a wide screen monitor, it might be over on the right-hand side of the screen.
When you find the Related Settings, in Windows 10 left-click Additional Mouse Options.
And in Windows 11, left-click Additional Mouse Settings (Pointer Icons & Visibility).
Adjust Mouse Double Click Speed.
The Mouse Properties window will open. Click on the Buttons tab (if you’re not on the Buttons tab already).
In the middle of the Buttons tab window, you’ll see the Double-Click Speed section.
To slow down the click speed, put your pointer onto the slider, hold down the left mouse button and move your mouse to the left.
Personally, I’d go all the way to the left, as far as it can go. It’ll give you more time and make the mouse easier to use.
When you’re done, click the OK button and close all the open windows.
Try double clicking on a few items. You’ll find that they will open first time every time. It’s much easier to use a mouse when the click speed has been slowed down.
Mouse Properties On A Laptop.
If you’re using a laptop, then the Mouse Properties box will look a little different.
However, it’s the same window but with additional settings for your touchpad.
Across the top of the window, you’ll see some tabs.
To change the double click speed, just click on the Buttons tab and then use the double-click slider to slow it down.
How To Change The Mouse Pointer Size.
Another thing that can be annoying is the size of the mouse pointer (or cursor). It can often appear as being very small, too small. The pointer becomes difficult to find on the screen.
But as with the double click speed, you can easily adjust the size of the mouse pointer to suit yourself.
To change the size of the mouse pointer, open the Mouse Settings page just as you did above
- Click the Start button
- Type “mouse settings”, without quotes.
- Click Mouse Settings (system settings).
When the Mouse Settings page opens, go to the Related Settings section again.
In Windows 10, click Adjust Mouse & Cursor Size.
And in Windows 11, click Mouse Pointer and Touch (Pointer Size & Colour).
Adjusting The Pointer Size.
To change the size of your mouse pointer (cursor), drag the slider left or right. To the left makes the pointer smaller and to the right makes it larger.
In case you’re wandering, there isn’t a “correct” size for a mouse pointer. It really is a personal choice.
It’ll depend very much on the screen that you’re using, and of course, your own eyesight. But if you want a recommendation, then I’d set the size to either 2 or 3.
When you’re happy, there isn’t an OK button to click. Just close the window by clicking on the X in the top right corner.
You Can Change Your Mind At Any Time.
Changing the double click speed and or the pointer size isn’t a “set once and that’s it” decision.
You can always change your mind later if you don’t like the new mouse settings. In fact you can experiment as often as you like with these settings.
Windows is very customisable, by that we mean it can be changed to suit your own needs and preferences.
Keyboard Basics.
We all pretty much know how to use a computer keyboard. The alphanumeric keys, along with the punctuation marks are fairly obvious.
However there are a few keyboard basics that you should know.
Although at the moment you probably do most everything on your computer with the mouse, using the keyboard does actually make it easier and quicker.
Find these keys on your keyboard.
- The Tab key – often marked with two opposing arrows but sometimes has Tab written on it.
- The Shift key – an upward-facing arrow or the word Shift.
- Control Key – often marked as CTRL.
- The Windows key – marked with the Windows logo, but that has changed over the years. See below.
- The Alt key – always marked Alt.
- Enter or Return key – could be marked with either a crooked arrow, Enter or Return or a combination of the three.
- Arrow keys – marked with the direction arrows.
- The Backspace key – marked with an arrow pointing left or the word Backspace.
Summary.
Don’t be afraid to slow down the mouse double click speed and change the size of the pointer. It’ll make using the computer so much easier to do.
Also take a few moments to find the keys on your keyboard. In particular find the Windows key, Shift, CTRL and Alt keys. They’re so useful and if you can go straight to them, they’ll really speed up whatever you’re trying to do.
On the next page of the Beginners Course we’ll take a look at the screen. In particular, changing the resolution to make things easier to see.
At Home Basic Computer Course.
Make Everything Bigger.
Change a quick setting and everything becomes easier to see.
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