This wikiHow teaches you how to use a computer without a mouse. You can do this using the " Mouse Keys " feature on supported Windows computers and all Mac computers. You can also use a combination of keyboard shortcuts and arrow keys to use your computer.
Step
Method 1 of 2: On Windows Computer
Step 1. Use basic keyboard shortcuts
You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard and the Enter key to move the selector in an open window and select content. If you press the letter key while you are on the desktop or a Windows application (eg File Explorer), the selector will be “thrown” at the first content/file with a name starting with the selected letter. Additionally, there are some basic keyboard shortcuts you can use:
- Alt+Tab - Switch between open program windows.
- Alt+F4 - Closes the currently open window or application.
- Win+D - Hides all open windows and shows the desktop.
- Ctrl+Esc - Opens the "Start" menu.
- Win+E - Opens File Explorer.
- Win+X - Opens the advanced settings menu (“Advanced settings”).
- Win+I - Opens the “Settings” window.
- Win+A - Opens the “Action Center” window.
Step 2. Make sure the computer keyboard has a numeric pad
If you don't have a row of numeric keys on the right side of the keyboard (other than the standard number row at the top of the keyboard), you cannot follow this method.
You can still use the keyboard shortcuts mentioned in the first step
Step 3. Open the “Start” menu
Press the Win key (the key with the Windows logo) to open it. The “Start” menu window will open after that.
You can also press Ctrl+Esc to open the “Start” menu window
Step 4. Type in ease of access
The computer will look for the “Ease of Access Center” setting.
Step 5. Select Ease of Access Center
Use the arrow keys to select this option at the top of the “Start” menu window if necessary, then press Enter. The “Ease of Access Center” window will open after that.
Step 6. Select Make the keyboard easier to use
This link is in the middle of the window. Press the button until the option is selected, then press Enter to open it.
Step 7. Select Set up Mouse Keys
It's a blue link at the top of the page. Scroll to the link using the key, then press Enter.
Step 8. Enable the “Mouse Keys” feature
Press the key until you reach the " Turn on Mouse Keys " box and a line of text is selected, then press +.
Step 9. Scroll to the "Pointer speed" segment
Press the button until the " Top speed " slider in the " Pointer speed " segment is selected.
Step 10. Adjust the cursor speed
After adjusting one aspect, you can press the Tab key to move to the next aspect:
- “Top speed” - This aspect determines the cursor movement at its highest speed. Press the → button to increase the cursor's top speed, or press to decrease it. Set this aspect to a relatively high level (eg 75 percent or higher).
- “Acceleration” - This aspect determines how fast the cursor reaches its top speed. Press the → button to increase the acceleration, or the button to decrease it. Set this aspect to the 50 percent range.
Step 11. Select OK
It's at the bottom of the window. The “Mouse Keys” feature will be activated and the window will be closed.
Step 12. Use the numeric keys to move the cursor
You can use the 4, 8, 6, and 2 keys to move the cursor left, up, right, and down.
- Use the 1, 7, 9, and 3 keys to move the cursor at a 45-degree angle.
- If the cursor doesn't move, press the Num key (or Fn+Num on some computers) and try moving the cursor again.
Step 13. Press button
Step 5. to click
It's in the center of the numeric keyboard.
If a drop-down menu appears after you press the 5 key, press / on the numeric keyboard to disable the feature. After that, you can click on the option using the 5 button
Step 14. Show right-click menu
Every Windows computer has a context menu button that resembles a “☰” symbol surrounded by a box. Once the option/content (eg icons) is selected, press the button to display the right-click menu.
Keep in mind that without first clicking the content/file using the 5 button, the right-click menu will only display as a general drop-down menu in the corner of the screen
Method 2 of 2: On Mac Computer
Step 1. Try using basic keyboard shortcuts
You can use the arrow keys and the Return key on your computer keyboard to move the cursor and selector in the currently open window. However, you can also take advantage of the following shortcuts to perform more complex tasks:
- Command+Q - Closes the application (or currently open window).
- Command+Space - Opens the Spotlight search bar in the center of the screen.
- Command+Tab - Move to the next window.
- Command+N - Opens a new Finder window (if you are on the desktop).
- Alt+F2, then Command+L - Opens the System Preferences window.
- Ctrl+F2 - Selects the Apple menu (press Return to open it).
Step 2. Open the “Accessibility Options” window
Follow these keyboard shortcuts to do this, depending on the model of Mac computer you're using:
- MacBook with Touch Bar - Quickly, triple-tap the Touch ID button.
- MacBook without Touch Bar - Press Fn+⌥ Option+⌘ Command+F5 simultaneously.
- iMac (Mac desktop) - Press Option+⌘ Command+F5 at the same time.
Step 3. Enable the “Mouse Keys” feature
Triple-tap the Touch ID button (MacBooks with Touch Bar) or press Command+⌥ Option+F5 (all other Macs) to do so.
You can also use the arrow keys to select the " Enable Mouse Keys " box and press Return (or Spacebar on some computers) to check it
Step 4. Keep the “Accessibility Options” window open
This way, you can disable the “Mouse Keys” feature using the keyboard shortcut that was previously used to activate the feature.
Unfortunately, you cannot type text if the “Mouse Keys” feature is enabled
Step 5. Move the cursor
Use the U, 8, O, and K keys to move the cursor left, up, right, or down.
Press the J, 7, 9, or L button to move the cursor 45 degrees to the bottom left, top left, top right, and bottom right
Step 6. Click the content/entry with the button
Step 5.
Key 5 basically acts as a left-click button when you use the “Mouse Keys” feature.
You can also hold down the Control key while clicking the 5 button to simulate a right-click
Step 7. Hold down the mouse
Hover and place the cursor over the icon, then press the M key to simulate an option “holding” action so you can drag the icon under the cursor using the movement keys.
- This step is useful when you want to activate a menu that is sensitive to content holding actions/procedures, such as the “Trash” menu.
- You can press the button. to release the file/icon.