I use a three-button cordless Logitech T400 mouse with my Windows 10 work PC, even though Logitech says it’s “not supported on Windows 10.” The middle button opens the Windows Start Menu, but I want it to work for pasting, which is important for the software I use.
On older operating systems, I could install Logitech drivers to configure the middle button differently, but the Windows 10 SetPoint and Unifying software from Logitech didn’t have the options I needed.
After researching online, I found two possible solutions.
The first, a Windows utility program called “Mouse and Keyboard Center 12,” gave me an error message when I tried to install it.
The second option was X-Mouse Button Control 2.18.8, which I installed and configured to translate the middle button to right-clicking.
This worked for most applications, but for some reason, the Logitech middle button still opened the Start Menu.
I suspect that some process or setting is intercepting the middle-click event before X-Mouse Button Control can handle it, but I’m not sure what it could be.
2 Answers
Introduction
The middle mouse button is an essential tool for many computer users, especially for those who frequently use Unix remotely, X-server, and terminal emulation software like Putty. However, on a Windows 10 system, the middle mouse button is often pre-assigned to open the Windows Start Menu. This can be frustrating for users who need to use the middle mouse button for other purposes. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to reassign the middle mouse button in Windows 10 to make it work with other software.
Using Logitech SetPoint and Unifying Software
Logitech is a popular brand of computer peripherals, including mice. If you’re using a Logitech mouse, you may be able to reassign the middle mouse button using the SetPoint and Unifying software. These programs are available for download from the Logitech website.
After installing the software, you should be able to access a configuration panel that allows you to customize the mouse buttons. Look for an option to reassign the middle button to a different function. However, keep in mind that not all Logitech mice are compatible with Windows 10. If your mouse is not supported, you may need to try a different solution.
Using X-Mouse Button Control
X-Mouse Button Control is a third-party utility that allows you to remap mouse buttons to different functions. This software is available for download from the Highrez website.
After installing X-Mouse Button Control, you should be able to access a configuration panel that allows you to customize the mouse buttons. Look for an option to remap the middle button to a different function. You can choose from a variety of pre-defined functions, or create your own custom function.
One advantage of using X-Mouse Button Control is that it works with a wide variety of mice, not just Logitech models. Additionally, this software allows you to create different profiles for different applications, so you can have different button assignments for different programs.
Using AutoHotkey
AutoHotkey is a powerful scripting language that allows you to automate tasks and customize your Windows environment. One of the things you can do with AutoHotkey is to remap mouse buttons to different functions.
To use AutoHotkey to remap the middle mouse button, you’ll need to create a script. Here’s an example script that remaps the middle button to the letter “p”:
MButton::pAfter creating the script, save it with a .ahk file extension. Then, double-click the file to run it. The script will run in the background, and the middle mouse button will now send the “p” key instead of opening the Windows Start Menu.
Using Registry Editor
If you’re comfortable editing the Windows Registry, you can use this method to remap the middle mouse button to a different function. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop.
4. Look for a key called “WheelScrollLines”. If it doesn’t exist, create it as a DWORD value.
5. Set the value of “WheelScrollLines” to 0.
6. Close the Registry Editor.
After making this change, the middle mouse button will no longer scroll the screen. Instead, it will send a standard button click event, which you can remap using other software.
Conclusion
Reassigning the middle mouse button in Windows 10 can be a bit tricky, but there are several methods you can try. Whether you use Logitech SetPoint and Unifying software, X-Mouse Button Control, AutoHotkey, or the Registry Editor, you should be able to find a solution that works for you. With a little bit of tweaking, you can make your mouse work the way you want it to, and streamline your workflow in the process.
My suggestion is to start by following this flow map. If it doesn’t work, please provide as much detail as possible and we’ll go from there.
Here are the steps:
Go to Settings, > Devices, > Mouse, and finally Additional Mouse Options (under related settings).
In Device Settings, you should see your peripheral’s software. Click on it and then click settings.
You should now see a BUTTONS tab which you can expand to edit the functions of each interactive part of your device.
I hope this helps. If it doesn’t work, we can work on another solution.