Using a computer mouse is one of the first steps to properly operating a computer. The mouse allows you to move the cursor and click on the programs. The following steps will teach you how to use a regular computer mouse and a Mac mouse, regardless of whether it is connected to the computer via cable, wirelessly, or via Bluetooth.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a mouse on a PC
Step 1. Get familiar with the mouse
The front of the mouse is pointing away from you and has two buttons that you can press: one on the right side and one on the left side. These buttons allow you to open programs and menus. In the middle of these buttons is a small wheel that allows you to scroll the pages up and down.
- You can use your index finger to click the left button and your middle finger to click the right.
- At the bottom of the mouse is a sensor that lets the mouse know where to move.
- Wireless mice may have a compartment for inserting a battery and also an on / off button.
Step 2. Place the mouse on a clean, smooth surface, preferably on a mouse pad
This allows the mouse to scroll without interference. You may have a problem with the mouse if you don't put it on a mouse pad, for example, you may not be able to slide smoothly.
Step 3. Grab the mouse gently with your dominant hand
It is not convenient to hold the mouse tightly or click with great force. Keep your fingers relaxed and keep the mouse at the elbow. If your fingers get tired, put the computer down for a moment.
Step 4. Plug in the mouse with its USB connector
Your mouse will either have a cable that extends out or it will come with a small USB connector if it is wireless. USB ports are located in different areas depending on the computer model, but in general, laptops come with USB ports on the right or left side of the keyboard. Most desktop computers have USB ports on the front or back of the case or tower, or on either side of the monitor.
- Find a small square port the size of the USB connector.
- Insert the USB connector. Flip the USB connector over if it doesn't fit the first time, but never force the connector when inserting it.
Step 5. Connect the mouse via Bluetooth if necessary
Plug the Bluetooth transceiver into a USB port, then press and hold the connect button on the USB transceiver for 5 seconds. The connection wizard will then appear, so simply follow the wizard's instructions to connect your device.
Step 6. Make sure the mouse works
Your computer should be on and you should see a cursor on the screen that you can control by moving the mouse. If the mouse doesn't work, try connecting it to another USB port or disconnecting and reconnecting it. If your mouse is wireless, make sure it is turned on and has batteries as well.
Step 7. Practice clicking the mouse
The left button is the main button for right-handed users and the right button is the main button for left-handed users. Click the main button once to click something and twice to "double-click" a program or menu. Clicking the non-primary button is called "right-clicking."
- A simple click generally selects an item or opens a menu.
- Double clicking often opens items or folders.
- Right-clicking usually displays a list of things you can do with a selected item.
Step 8. Practice sliding and dragging items with the mouse
Roll the mouse wheel with your index finger to scroll pages up or down. To drag an object, hover over it, then press and hold the main button and move to a new location. When you're done, release the main button.
Step 9. Customize the mouse according to your needs
You can change the speed with which the pointer moves on the screen, change the main button if you are left-handed, or even change the appearance of the pointer. To do this, go to the mouse settings on your computer.
Method 2 of 2: Use a Mouse on a Mac
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the "Magic Mouse", or magic mouse
The Mac mouse is called the "Magic Mouse" and it does not have the same buttons as a common computer mouse. It has no divisions and does not work with buttons, but through a chip. It has an on / off button and a sensor at the bottom.
Step 2. Configure the mouse via Bluetooth
First, charge the batteries with the installer that the mouse came with. Install the Magic Mouse batteries by inserting them into the mouse. Once finished, use your computer's touch panel to open the mouse preferences menu by clicking "System Preferences" from the Apple menu and then clicking "Mouse."
- Then click on "Configure Bluetooth Mouse" in the lower right corner. Then turn the mouse on by sliding the power switch to the "On" option.
- Once this is done, the mouse should start working.
- If the light on the bottom of the mouse doesn't glow or blink when you turn it on, make sure the batteries are charged and installed correctly.
Step 3. Click the mouse
With the Mac mouse, you can click anywhere on the surface to select a program or menu. Click in the upper right corner if you want to "right click" with this mouse. If you are left-handed, you can customize your mouse so that the "right click" is in the left corner.
- Go to "System Preferences," which has a gray wheel icon at the bottom of your Mac screen, and then click "Mouse" to customize your mouse settings.
- You can even disable the multitouch feature on your mouse if you want to use it like a regular computer mouse.
Step 4. Glide by rubbing the mouse vertically with your finger
This way the pages will slide up and down. If you move your finger horizontally, the pages will slide to the right or left. If you move your finger in circles, you can slide in a circular way around a document or image.
Step 5. Swipe left or right with two fingers to navigate between pages
Using two fingers, slide them to the left or right. This way you will change the pages in Safari, the images in iPhoto or the songs in iTunes.
Step 6. Zoom in with the mouse
By holding down the Control key on your keyboard and swiping up, you can zoom in on your desktop. By holding down the Control key on your keyboard and sliding down, you can zoom out again.
Advice
- The Mac Magic Mouse connects via Bluetooth and does not need to be plugged in.
- Seek help from the troubleshooter if your mouse is plugged in, installed, and not working.
- If the mouse is not working properly, you may need to clean the mouse ball, although this type of technology is no longer used today.