Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2017 August 28

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August 28

How to disable "mouse editing" in Windows 7

1) Occasionally while moving the mouse over text it cuts part of that text and maybe deposits it elsewhere. I suspect I hit some buttons on the mouse accidentally to do this, as it has "hair trigger" buttons. I don't want this to ever happen, intentionally or not. I would prefer to use the keyboard exclusively, so highlight what I want first with the mouse, then CONTROL X to cut and CONTROL V to paste. How do I disable the other way ?

2) Similarly, it seems to want to highlight more than what I want, grabbing the entire sentence, line, paragraph, etc., probably from having hit some mouse button I didn't intend to or double clicking where I meant to single click. How do I disable this so it will only highlight what I run the mouse over (click and hold button down to start, move mouse button over desired text, release mouse button) ? StuRat (talk) 12:28, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

I would suggest starting with disabling those extra mouse buttons. (((The Quixotic Potato))) (talk) 12:50, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

It's not extra buttons, just the regular 2. StuRat (talk) 18:09, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

If you are using a wireless mouse, you can likely fix it by using a wired mouse. We have both. In more public areas, we have wired mice to prevent theft. In more secure areas, we have wireless mice for "convenience". The wireless variety are sloppy. They generally do what you want them to do, but it often lags on movement and button clicks. I find that if I release the mouse button and then quickly move the mouse, the button release lags and I begin a drag function. That simply doesn't happen with a wired mouse. Our IT tells me to just slow down. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 17:37, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

It's a wired mouse. StuRat (talk) 18:08, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

What browser do you use? Ruslik_Zero 20:40, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

Google Chrome, mostly. StuRat (talk) 21:41, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

Does the mouse have a central scroll wheel on top? I had problems because I was inadvertently rotating the wheel without being aware I was doing so. Since I never scrolled with the wheel, the solution was to open up the mouse and remove it. Akld guy (talk) 20:45, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

It does have a mouse wheel, but I use that to scroll. I don't think that causes the symptoms I described. StuRat (talk) 21:41, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

For 1, it seems to me what's going on is you're accidentally selecting text using your normal click (I presume left click) then clicking again to drag it somewhere. (Well unless the text is already selected intentionally then you're just dragging it.) I don't believe there's any way to disable this on an OS basis since it isn't an OS feature per se, just a feature of the program. Some document editors may allow you to disable it but I'm not sure about browsers [1] [2] [3] [4]. I've done this by accident occasionally but normally only when I'm selecting things. I would suggest if you don't even know you're selecting and also dragging, you need a new mouse. Or a new user for the computer. As for 2, again this isn't an OS feature. Some programs may allow you to disable it at various levels but otherwise you're just goign to have to choose a different program or put up with it or again get a new mouse or new user [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]. If the problem comes from double clicking, adjusting the double click speed may help but may also have other consequences. Nil Einne (talk) 05:32, 29 August 2017 (UTC)

I rather like the hair-trigger mouse buttons for other applications, like video games which require repeated clicks. On a regular mouse, my finger would get sore and I would do worse in the game. But, for editing it's a pain. I guess I may need to swap mice every time I do something different. StuRat (talk) 17:58, 29 August 2017 (UTC)