How do I move my cursor without a mouse?

Answered by Willie Powers

To move your cursor without a mouse, you can use a feature called Mouse Keys. This feature allows you to control the mouse pointer using the numeric keypad on your keyboard. Here are the steps to enable and use Mouse Keys:

1. Open the Ease of Access Center by clicking the Start button, then Control Panel, then Ease of Access, and finally Ease of Access Center. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + U to directly open the Ease of Access Center.

2. In the Ease of Access Center, click on “Make the mouse easier to use” or “Change how your mouse works” option. This will open the mouse settings.

3. Under the “Control the mouse with the keyboard” section, you will find an option called “Turn on Mouse Keys”. Check the box next to this option to enable Mouse Keys.

4. Once enabled, you can customize the Mouse Keys settings by clicking on the “Set up Mouse Keys” link. This will allow you to adjust the speed and acceleration of the mouse pointer movement using the numeric keypad.

5. To use Mouse Keys, make sure the Num Lock key on your keyboard is turned on. By default, the numeric keypad will be used to control the mouse pointer.

6. The keys on the numeric keypad correspond to different directions of movement. For example, the “8” key moves the cursor up, the “2” key moves it down, the “4” key moves it left, and the “6” key moves it right. The “5” key is used to click the mouse.

7. To move the cursor diagonally, you can combine two directional keys. For instance, pressing “7” and “8” together will move the cursor diagonally up and to the left.

8. You can also use the “+” and “-” keys on the numeric keypad to adjust the speed of the mouse pointer. Pressing the “+” key will increase the speed, while pressing the “-” key will decrease it.

9. To click or select an item, move the cursor to the desired location using the numeric keypad and press the “5” key to click. You can also adjust the click speed by using the “+” and “-” keys.

Using Mouse Keys can be a bit challenging at first, but with practice, it can become a convenient way to control the mouse pointer without a physical mouse. It is particularly useful for individuals with limited mobility or those who prefer using the keyboard for navigation.

I hope this detailed explanation helps you understand how to move your cursor without a mouse using Mouse Keys. If you have any further questions or need assistance with any other accessibility features, feel free to ask.