Mouse and Keyboard

Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows

Most of what you know about using a mouse and keyboard with Windows has stayed the same, especially in the desktop. Here are a few ways to use the new Windows 8 and Windows RT features with a mouse and with keyboard shortcuts—and how to find some familiar things in new places.

Mouse and Keyboard Commands and Resulting Outcome(s)

To do this	With a mouse	With a keyboard
Open the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices, and Settings).	Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner to see the charms. (Try moving so far into the corner that the mouse pointer disappears.) When the charms appear, move up or down the edge to click the one you want.	All charms: Windows logo key +C Search charm: Windows logo key +Q Share charm: Windows logo key +H Start charm: Windows logo key Devices charm: Windows logo key +K Settings charm: Windows logo key +I
Search your pc (apps, settings, and files), the web, or within an app.	Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner to see the charms. (Try moving so far into the corner that the mouse pointer disappears.) When the charms appear, move up or down the edge, click Search, and then enter your search term. If you want to search settings, files, or another app, click that option.	If you’re on Start, just start typing your search term. If you want to see a list of all apps on your pc, right-click the Start screen, and then click All apps. Search within apps or find an app: Windows logo key +Q Search settings: Windows logo key +W Search files: Windows logo key +F
Go to Start.	Point to the lower-left corner. When Start appears, click the corner. Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner to see the charms. (Try moving so far into the corner that the mouse pointer disappears.) When the charms appear, move up or down the edge, and then click Start.	Press the Windows logo key on your keyboard.
Get to commands and context menus.	Right-click to see commands and context menus. Right-clicking on items often brings up options specific to that item.	Windows logo key +Z Use Tab or arrows keys to highlight things, and then press the space bar or Enter.
Switch between recently used apps.	To switch to your most recently used app, point to the upper-left corner. (Try moving it so far into the corner that the mouse pointer disappears.) When the previous app appears, click the corner. To switch to a different app, point to the upper-left corner and then move down slightly. When the other apps appear, click the one you want.	Windows logo key +Tab
Snap an app to use two apps side by side. Note: Your screen resolution must be at least 1366 x 768 to snap apps. To check this setting: Open Screen Resolution by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), enteringDisplay in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clickingDisplay. The desktop is treated as a single app.	Move your pointer into the upper-left corner until the second app appears, and then drag that app to the left or right side of the screen until an opening appears behind it. You can also point to the upper-left corner and then move the pointer down to see the apps you've used recently. Click and drag the app you want to snap. Keep the app that size, or resize it to fill two-thirds or the full screen.	Windows logo key +Period
Open the desktop.	Go to Start, and then click the Desktop tile.	Windows logo key +D
Zoom in or out	On Start, use the zoom icon in the lower-right corner or Ctrl+Scrollwheel.	Ctrl+Plus sign to zoom in Ctrl+Minus sign to zoom out
Close an app	Point to the top edge of the screen, and then click and drag the app to the bottom of the screen. You can also close apps you've used recently by pointing to the upper-left corner and then pulling down. Right-click the one you want. and then select Close.	Alt+F4
Shut down	Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner to see the charms. (Try moving so far into the corner that the mouse pointer disappears.) When the charms appear, move up or down the edge, and then click Settings. Click Power, and then select a shutdown option.	Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Use the Tab key to move to the Power icon. A list of shutdown options appears. Use the up or down arrow keys to get to the option you want. Press Enter.

How to use the touch keyboard

You can use different keyboards with Windows to fit your needs. The most common is a physical, external keyboard that you plug into your pc. Windows 8 and Windows RT also include a touch keyboard for pcs with touch.

Watch a video about using the touch keyboard (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/using-touch-keyboard/).

To use the touch keyboard, tap in a text field or other area where you can type. The keyboard appears automatically.

In some places that you type, the touch keyboard suggests words so you can correct misspellings with a tap. And, the keyboard layout automatically adjusts to the language you choose for Windows.

If you're using a tablet, you might want to switch to the thumb keyboard, which splits the keys on either side of the screen, making it easier and more comfortable to use.

If you want to open the touch keyboard manually (without tapping in a text field or other area where you can type), here's how:

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
2. 2. Tap the Keyboard icon.
3. 3. Tap Touch keyboard and handwriting panel.
4. 4. Tap where you want to type.

Touch: swipe, tap, and beyond

If you want to know what we mean when we mention swipe, tap, or other ways to interact with Windows 8 or Windows RT when you’re using a touchscreen, take a look at this table.

Touchscreen Commands (Swipe, Tap) and Resulting Outcome(s)

What we say	How to do it	What it does
Tap	Tap once on the item.	whatever you tap. Similar to clicking with a mouse.
Press and hold	Press your finger down and leave it there for a few seconds.	Shows info to help you learn more about an item. Opens a menu specific to what you're doing. Similar to right-clicking with a mouse.
Pinch or stretch to zoom	Touch the screen or an item with two or more fingers, and then move the fingers toward each other (pinch) or away from each other(stretch).	Shows different levels of info. A good place to explore this is the Start screen. Visually zooms in or out, like with pictures or maps.
Rotate	Put two or more fingers on an item and then turn your hand.	Rotates things in the direction you turn your hand. Only some items ca be rotated.
Slide to scroll	Drag your finger on the screen.	Moves through what’s on the screen. Similar to scrolling with a mouse.
Slide to rearrange	Press and drag an item in the opposite direction you would scroll. (For example, if you would scroll left or right, drag the item up or down.) When you've moved the item to the new location, release it.	Moves an item. Similar to dragging with a mouse. A good place to explore this is the Start screen.
Swipe to select	Slide an item a short distance in the opposite direction compared to how the page scrolls. (For example, if you would scroll left or right, slide the item up or down.) A quick, short movement works best.	Selects an item, like a photo or tile on Start. This often brings up app commands.
Swipe from edge	Starting on the edge, swipe in.	• Right edge: Opens the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices, Settings). • Left edge: – Brings in open apps. – Snaps apps. Swipe in from the left edge and drag the app until a divider appears, and then move the app where you want it. Slide the divider to adjust app size. – Shows your recently opened apps. Swipe in from the left edge without lifting your finger, and then push the app back toward the left edge. – Closes apps. Swipe an app from the list without lifting your finger, and then drag it to the bottom of the screen. • Top or bottom edge: – Shows commands, like Newand Refresh. – Closes apps. Swipe down from the top without lifting your finger, and then drag the app to the bottom of the screen.

To learn about how to do similar tasks using a mouse and keyboard, see Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows. For more on using the new features, see Get to know Windows.

Touch and pen settings: Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions about touch and pen settings.

How do I check if my pc has a touchscreen?

Try using your finger to tap a tile on Start. If it’s a touchscreen, the app will open. You can also check your current system settings with your mouse:

From Start, click the Desktop tile.

1. 1. Point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.
2. 2. Click pc info.
3. 3. Under System, check the Pen and Touch setting. If your pc’s screen is a touchscreen, it will describe what input it supports.

Touch input is on by default and can’t be turned off. If you expect your laptop or monitor to respond to touch and it doesn’t, check the manufacture’s website to make sure it supports touch and that you have the correct drivers installed.

How do I calibrate my pen and touch settings?

To adjust how accurately your screen senses when you use a pen or finger:

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. Enter calibrate in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input to open Tablet pc Settings.
3. 3. Check that the monitor shown in the Display field matches the screen you want to calibrate.
4. 4. Tap or click Calibrate, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

How do I get my touchscreen to go to the correct screen?

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. Enter calibrate in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input to open Tablet pc Settings.
3. 3. Tap or click Setup, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

How do I change my pen and touch actions?

To change how fast, far, or long an action takes:

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. Enter pen and touch in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Pen and Touch.
3. 3. Tap or click the action you want to configure, and then click Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Change keyboard settings

If you want to make the keyboard easier to use, you can change the settings to suit your needs.

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. In the search box, enter Change how your keyboard works, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Change how your keyboard works.
3. 3. Select the options that you want to use:
   • − Turn on Mouse Keys. If using a mouse is awkward or hard to use, you can turn on Mouse Keys so you don’t need to use the mouse. Instead, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard or use the numeric keypad to move the pointer. For more info, type Move the pointer with the keypad using Mouse Keys, in the search box, then tap or click Settings.
   • − Turn on Sticky Keys. With Sticky Keys turned on, you won’t have to press complicated key combos. For example, instead of pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys at the same time, you can press keys one at a time.
   • − Turn on Toggle Keys. Toggle Keys play an alert each time you press the Caps Lock, Num Lock, or Scroll Lock keys. These notifications can help prevent the frustration of inadvertently pressing a key and not realizing it.
   • − Turn on Filter Keys. When you turn on Filter Keys, Windows will ignore keystrokes that occur in rapid succession, or keystrokes that are held down for several seconds unintentionally.
   • − Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys. This option makes keyboard access in dialog boxes easier by highlighting the access keys of the controls. For more info about keyboard shortcuts, see Keyboard shortcuts.
   • − Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen. With this option, you can prevent windows from automatically resizing and docking along the sides of your screen when you move them.

Change the keyboard layout

You can add a keyboard layout to a language and switch to using that if you want to use the same layout to type in different languages or don't want to use the default one that Windows provides.

To change the keyboard layout for a language

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. Enter language, choose Settings, and then tap or click Add a language.
3. 3. Select the language that you want to add a keyboard layout to.
4. 4. Tap or click Options next to the language name, and then under Input method, tap or click Add an input method .
5. 5. Browse the input method list or use the search box to find the keyboard layout you want to use.
6. 6. Double-tap or double-click the keyboard layout, and then tap or click Save.

Change mouse settings

If you want to make the mouse easier to use, you can change the settings to suit your needs.

To change the mouse settings

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. In the search box, enter Change how your mouse works, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Change how your mouse works.
3. 3. Select the options that you want to use:
   • − Change the color and size of mouse pointers. You can use these options to make the mouse pointer larger, or change the color to make it easier to see.
   • − Turn on Mouse Keys. You can use this option to control the movement of the mouse pointer by using the numeric keypad. For more info, type Move the pointer with the keypad using Mouse Keys, in the search box, then tap or click Settings.
   • − Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse. This option makes it easier to select and activate a window by pointing at it with the mouse rather than by clicking it.
   • − Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen. This option prevents windows from automatically resizing and docking along the sides of your screen when you move them there.

Use the numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer

When you turn on Mouse Keys, you can move the mouse pointer using the numeric keypad on your keyboard instead of using a mouse.

To turn on Mouse Keys

1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)
2. 2. Tap or click Settings.
3. 3. In the search box, enter Change how your mouse works, and then tap or click Change how your mouse works.
4. 4. Under Control the mouse with the keyboard, select the Turn on Mouse Keys check box, and then or click OK.

Moving the pointer using Mouse Keys

After you turn on Mouse Keys, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse.

Selecting a mouse button

Before you use Mouse Keys to click items on your screen, you’ll first need to select which mouse button you want to be the active button: the left button, the right one, or both.

Clicking items using Mouse Keys

After you choose a button, you can click items on your screen.

Dragging items using Mouse Keys

You can use the numeric keypad to press and hold the active mouse button and to release it. This is helpful if you want to drag an item.