How to Change Your Mouse Speed

Does your mouse pointer seem to zoom out of control when you move the mouse to point and click, or do you run out of desk space because it's too slow? In either case, use this procedure to change the mouse speed. The following procedures apply to Windows 98 for the PC and OS 8 for the Macintosh. Mouse settings may vary in older versions.

Things You'll Need

• Computer Mice
• Mouse Pads

Instructions

Macintosh

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen and hold the mouse button down. A drop-down menu appears.

2. Select Control Panels. A submenu (another drop-down menu) appears, or the Control Panels window may open on your desktop.

3. Select Mouse to display the mouse settings.

4. Select Mouse Tracking. This setting determines the speed of your pointer on the desktop as you move the mouse.

5. Select the desired speed, and then exit by clicking the close box in the upper-left corner of the window.

6. Test your mouse pointer. If you want it to move faster or slower, return to Step 1 to adjust the speed.

Windows

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen. A menu appears.

2. Highlight Settings to display a second menu and click Control Panel.

3. Double-click the Mouse icon to display the Mouse Properties screen.

4. Click the Basics tab to display the speed options.

5. In the Pointer Speed area, drag the slider to select a speed.

6. Click Advanced.

7. Click to select an acceleration speed, if you want. Higher settings make the pointer move faster if you move the mouse faster.

8. Click OK to accept the setting and exit the window.

9. Test your mouse pointer. If you want it to move faster or slower, return to Step 1 to adjust the speed.