When the computer mouse does not work because it is broken or if you have a laptop, it can be useful to know how to move the mouse cursor with the keyboard . Moving the arrow without a mouse and then with the keyboard is a function that can easily be done on Windows using an accessibility feature (the support features for those with physical problems).
To activate the keyboard pointer control, in cases where you do not want or cannot use the mouse, just press the combination of keys ALT - SHIFT / SHIFT left - Num lock .
You can also find these options by going to Control Panel > Accessibility > Change mouse behavior .
From here you can also activate, in Windows 10, the option that activates the pointer control using the number pad on the right of the keyboard.
A warning will say that, by pressing OK, the mouse control via the keyboard is activated by moving the arrow with the numeric keypad .
In Windows 10 you can also find the same option in Settings> Accessibility> Mouse, where you can activate the " Activate pointer control using the numeric keypad " option.
The directional keys 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 are those that move the mouse pointer, the click is done with 5, the right click is done with 5 while holding down * while, to select the text on a page 0 must be kept pressed.
The / key sets the 5 key to be the left mouse button, while the - key sets the number 5 to be the right mouse button (so as to quickly change function).
By pressing the icon that appears next to the clock, you access the pointer control settings and you can choose the speed of movement of the arrow which, by default, is very slow.
To deactivate the keyboard pointer control, finally just press the combination of keys ALT - SHIFT / MAIUS left - Num lock .
If you prefer a more effective and more flexible solution, you can instead download and install a small program called Mouse Fighter .
With Mouse Fighter the mouse arrow can be moved with the keyboard using the arrows and not the numeric keypad which, on portable PCs, is difficult to use.
If you are using a netbook or laptop without a numeric keypad and you feel badly with the touchpad, you can move the mouse with the arrows and click with the A and S keys that act as right and left keys.
Mouse Fighter can be activated, when needed, by pressing the Caps Lock / Caps Lock key, which is generally never used.
The small tool shows a certain intelligence and recognizes when you are writing text thus allowing the user to write even with the A and S keys without moving the cursor.
Everything is however configurable, you can control the mouse by choosing other keys and you can set the movement speed and acceleration according to your preferences.
Another excellent similar program to move the mouse with the keyboard is NeatMouse, a portable tool for Windows.
It allows you to scroll up and down a page, simulate the clicks of the left and right mouse buttons and move the pointer with different speeds.
Each key can be customized according to your needs and, by default, the movement and the keys are mapped on the numeric keypad while the Scroll Lock key functions as an activator.
The application can be used both as a normal installation and in a portable form, which allows you to carry it around in a USB stick for any emergency.
NeatMouse works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10 and Windows 7.
A similar program is also Mouse Emulator, a practical software for pressing the mouse keys via the computer keyboard and also for moving the mouse cursor from the numeric keypad.
The number 3 functions as the middle mouse button.
Here is therefore solved the problem for those who remain with a PC without a mouse.
If, on the other hand, the keyboard breaks, you can use the on-screen keyboard to write by clicking on the keys.
Whoever owns the joystick or the joypad can use it as a mouse or keyboard.
For those who want something more delicious, I can recommend reading how to use the computer without hands, moving only the head.
READ ALSO: How to use the computer without ever touching the mouse
