Windows 10 – Using your keyboard to control the mouse

Most people think that a computer has to be operated with the mouse and that, if you cannot use a mouse, you cannot use your computer. This is not the case. In fact, not only can your computer be operated entirely from the keyboard, but doing so can often be faster and easier than using the mouse.

Method 1: Using the ‘Ease of Access Centre’

This method has more configuration options than Method 2, but it is recommended for users with a keyboard and/or a mouse – the interactive elements are small and therefore difficult to tap. If you are using a tablet or a phone, you will probably prefer Method 2.

To open the ‘Ease of Access Centre’

From a computer with a keyboard and a mouse

  • Open ‘Ease of Access Centre’ by pressing the ‘Windows’ logo key + ‘U’ or click into ‘Search the web and Windows’ in the bottom left of the screen and enter ‘Ease of access centre.’
  • You can also press the ‘Windows’ logo key and type ‘Ease of access centre,’ and press ‘Enter.’ See fig 1.

From a touch enabled device

  • Tap into ‘Search the web and Windows’ in the bottom left of the screen and enter ‘Ease of access centre.’

Fig 1

To control the pointer with the keyboard

From the ‘Ease of Access Centre’

  • ‘Tab’ to and ‘Enter’ or click to select ‘Make the keyboard easier to use,’ under ‘Explore all settings.’
  • Check the option ‘Turn on Mouse keys’ to use the numeric keypad on a standard keyboard as a three button mouse. Fig 2 shows how this works.

Fig 2

  • ‘Tab’ to and ‘Enter’ or click ‘Set up Mouse Keys’ to customise this feature, see fig 3.
  • Turn on ‘Mouse Keys’ by pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘M’ or checking the box.

Fig 3

  • You can turn on the keyboard shortcut ‘Alt’ + ‘left SHIFT’ + ‘NUM LOCK’ to allow you to turn on and off the ‘Mouse keys’ as you need to use them.
  • To use this option, select the checkbox, see fig 4, or press ‘Alt’ + ‘K.’
  • You can ‘display a warning message when turning on a setting’ by checking the box or pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘A.’
  • You can ‘make a sound when turning a setting on or off’ by pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘U’ or checking the box.

Fig 4

  • ‘Pointer speed’ when using ‘Mouse Keys’ can be tailored to suit your needs by slowing down or speeding up the rate which it moves, see fig 5.
  • Press ‘Alt’ + ‘W’ or click to select the option to alter these settings, by using the ‘Ctrl’ key to speed up and ‘Shift’ to slow down the mouse pointer.
  • ‘Top speed’ is the maximum speed of the pointer when the mouse key direction key is held down.
  • ‘Acceleration’ is how quickly the mouse pointer accelerates to its maximum speed.

Fig 5

  • Under ‘Other Settings’, see fig 6, click to select to ‘Use Mouse Keys when the NUM LOCK is On’ by pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘N.’ You can then use the ‘Up/Down’ arrow keys to move to ‘Off.’
  • Press ‘Alt’ + ‘Y’ to ‘Display the Mouse Keys icon on the task bar.’
  • Press ‘Alt’ + ‘O’ to save your settings.

Fig 6

Method 2: Using the Ease of Access Centre in the PC settings

This method is recommended for users with touch enabled devices such as tablets or phones.

To open the ‘Ease of Access’ section in PC settings.

From a computer with a keyboard and a mouse

  • Click on the ‘Windows’ logo Key.
  • Click ‘Settings.’
  • Click ‘Ease of access.’ See fig 8.

From a touch enabled device

  • Swipe in from the right hand edge of the screen to reveal the ‘Action Centre.’
  • Tap on ‘All settings’ – see fig 7.
  • Tap ‘Ease of access’ – see fig 8.

Fig 7

Fig 8

  • On the Ease of Access screen, tap on or click on ‘Mouse’ on the left hand side and then Tap or click on the following ‘Mouse buttons’ options you wish to turn on or off (see figs 9, 10).
  • Use Numeric keypad to move mouse around the screen
  • Hold down Ctrl to speed up and Shift to slow down
  • Use mouse keys when Num Lock is on

Fig 9

Fig 10

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies – contact your local IT support for further help.