Swapping Mouse Buttons for Left-Handed Users

by Barry Dysert
(last updated November 27, 2017)

Like it or not, we live in a world geared towards right-handed people. This means that the default mouse configuration is for right-handed people. Thus, a "normal" mouse click means clicking the left mouse button with your index finger, and it's explicitly called out if a right-click (typically done using your middle finger) is intended. Fortunately (for left-handed people), this is easy to change so that from your left hand you can perform a "normal" mouse click by using your index finger and when a right-click is called for, you can use your middle finger.

To swap the mouse buttons, start at the Control Panel and click Hardware and Sound. Under the "Devices and Printers" category click the Mouse link. Windows displays the Mouse Properties dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Mouse Properties dialog box.

Select the Switch Primary and Secondary Buttons check box. This immediately swaps the mouse buttons so that now you must right-click OK to dismiss the window. From this point on, your primary mouse button is the right one and the secondary button is the left one.

You can, of course, swap them back just as easily by again going to the Mouse Properties dialog box and right-clicking (since the right button is now your primary button) the Switch Primary and Secondary Buttons check box.

 This tip (12070) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Editing a Media Player Playlist

Windows Media Player lets you create, edit, and delete playlists over time. This tip explains how to add and delete items ...

Discover More

Changing How Event Log Overruns are Handled

By default, the event logs are implemented in a circular buffer, i.e., when its maximum size is reached, the oldest ...

Discover More

AutoRuns

Would you like to have one place to go in order to see what all programs are starting when your system starts or when you ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding ReadyBoost

ReadyBoost promised to provide a hot-swappable addition of memory that could end up improving system performance. Whether ...

Discover More

Changing the Start Screen's Theme

You'll spend a lot of time viewing the Start screen in Windows. If you want to change up things, you can modify which ...

Discover More

Left-Handed Mouse

If you're left-handed, using a computer that by default is setup for right-handed users can be tricky. With Windows 10, ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.