How to Change the Mouse Type in Windows

Changing the mouse means updating hardware drivers.

Mouse drivers determine the type of mouse installed on your computer. Drivers allow a hardware device to "speak" to the operating system, which makes it usable on your computer. To change the mouse type, you must change the drivers for the mouse. This is beneficial when you connect a new mouse to the computer. The Device Manager in the Windows Control Panel manages the type of hardware listed on the computer.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button. Type "device manager" into the text box and press "Enter." This opens the Device Manager for your Windows machine.

2. Click the arrow next to the "Mouse" group. This lists your mouse installed on the computer. Right-click the mouse in the expanded list and select "Properties."

3. Click the "Details" tab. Click "Update Driver." This opens a new window. Click "Browse my computer for driver software." Point to the location of your driver and click "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• If you installed a new mouse, you can also delete the old mouse in Device Manager by right-clicking it and selecting "Uninstall." Click "Refresh" and Windows automatically detects and installs a new driver.

References

• Tech Talkz: How to use Device Manager in Windows 7