How to Change the Mouse Sensitivity

Since your mouse is the main component you use to navigate around your computer, getting the mouse sensitivity and other settings working to your preferences can improve your experience. Many people may overlook the option of adjusting their mouse settings, and it doesn't help that you have to go looking for the settings specifically to access the option on either Windows or Mac. However, if you know what to look for, it's easy enough to adjust the mouse's speed, precision and other options.

As Windows Central explains, the easiest way to adjust your mouse sensitivity in Windows 10 is to use the "Settings" dialogue. Open the "Start" menu and click the "cog icon" to go to "Settings." Choose "Devices" from the options in the window that appears and then choose "Mouse" from the options on the left of the screen. This gives you access to the most basic options for adjusting the mouse settings, including which side is the primary mouse button (left or right), adjusting the cursor speed by moving a slider left or right, and some options relating to scrolling.

This window also has options to adjust the mouse pointer and cursor size, as well as a link to access more detailed mouse settings, which you can find in Control Panel.

Access more detailed mouse settings through Control Panel, as detailed by Microsoft. Type "control panel" into the search field in the bottom and choose the "Control Panel" option that appears. Click the option for "Hardware and Sound," and then select the "Mouse" option located in the "Devices and Printers" section of the window. This brings up a small dialog box that contains all the mouse sensitivity and other settings you could realistically need.

The "Buttons" tab appears first, which gives you options to switch the primary and secondary buttons and change the speed you need to double-click for it to register. However, the options you're likely to be looking for are in "Pointer Options." In particular, you can use the slider in the "Motion" section to change the speed of the mouse when you move it, which is basically the sensitivity to your motions. You can also check or uncheck the "Enhance pointer precision" option to allow fine movements when you move the mouse slowly.

There are other options available here too, including Snap To, which automatically moves the pointer to the default option when a dialog box appears. You can also add pointer trails, select to hide the pointer when you type, or use the Ctrl key to show the position of the cursor.

If you're on a Mac, you adjust the mouse settings using the method described by Apple. Go to the "Apple" menu and select "System Preferences." Choose "Mouse" from the preferences that appear to bring up the options you have for customizing the mouse. Adjust the appropriate sliders to change Tracking Speed (the sensitivity of the mouse), Double Click (how quickly you need to double-click), and Scrolling (how quickly the screen scrolls when you scroll on the mouse).

If you have a trackpad, click the trackpad icon in "System Preferences" to adjust trackpad-specific settings, as explained by Rocket Yard. This includes some options for how you perform a secondary click, as well additional click styles and gestures. This window also contains the usual options for adjusting the tracking speed, as well as how firmly you have to click for it to register.