4 Quick Ways to Change Mouse Sensitivity on a Computer

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A beginner's guide to adjusting your cursor speed on a computer

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: April 23, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using Windows
|
• Using Mac
|
• Using Chromebook
|
• Using a Gaming Mouse
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Is your mouse moving too quickly? You can easily change how precise your cursor moves from your computer's settings. If you're using a gaming mouse and want to change the DPI, you'll need to download and use the manufacturer's program. Here's how to change your mouse sensitivity using a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook computer.

Quick Steps

1. On Windows, open Settings.
2. Click Devices.
3. Click Mouse.
4. Click Additional mouse options.
5. Click Pointer Options.
6. Drag the slider to adjust the speed.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows

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1. 1
   Open Start

   

   . This is in the bottom-left or bottom-center of the screen.
2. 2
   Click

   

   . This is the gear icon.
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3. 3
   Click Devices. It's near the top of the menu next to the speaker and keyboard icon.

   • On Windows 11, click Bluetooth & devices in the left column.
4. 4
   Click Mouse. It's the third option from the top on the left column under the "Devices" heading. This opens the Mouse settings on the right side of the window.

   • On Windows 11, this will be in the right panel.
5. 5
   Click Additional mouse options. It's just under the "Related Settings" section of the Mouse options. This opens the Mouse Properties window.

   • On Windows 11, this will look like Additional mouse settings. You can find it in the right panel, underneath Related settings.
6. 6
   Click Pointer Options. It's a tab at the top of the Mouse window.
7. 7
   Adjust your mouse pointer's speed. A fast pointer speed has high mouse sensitivity, while a slow pointer speed has low mouse sensitivity.

   • To increase your mouse sensitivity, click and drag the Motion slider to the right.
   • To decrease your mouse sensitivity, click and drag the Motion slider to the left.
   • Test out your pointer speed. If the mouse pointer moves too quickly, reduce the Motion slider; if it moves too slowly, increase the Motion slider.
   • If you play FPS games, you may want to disable Enhance pointer precision for more consistent movement.
8. 8
   Click Apply, then click OK. Both options are at the bottom of the window. Doing so will save your settings and close the Mouse window. Your mouse pointer should now move at your determined speed.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Mac

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1. 1
   Open the Apple menu

   

   . Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
2. 2
   Click System Settings. It's near the top of the drop-down menu.

   • On older devices, this will look like System Preferences.
3. 3
   Click Trackpad or Mouse. If you're using a MacBook laptop, you'll click Trackpad, while desktop users will click Mouse.
4. 4
   Click and drag the "Tracking speed" slider. This is on the right side.

   • Test out your mouse. If it moves too quickly, drag the "Tracking speed" slider to the left; if it's too slow, drag the slider to the right.
   • The setting will be saved automatically.
   • Pointer acceleration makes the cursor move more quickly with fast movements. To turn this off, click Advanced and toggle it off.
   • You can also change the scroll direction on your Mac.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Chromebook

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1. 1
   Open the Settings. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner, then click the cog icon.
2. 2
   Click Touchpad. This may also look like Touchpad and mouse. You can find this in the Device section.
3. 3
   Drag the "Touchpad speed" slider. This may also look like Mouse speed.

   • Your changes will save automatically.
   • You can also change the size and color of your cursor.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Gaming Mouse

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1. 1
   Install the mouse's program on your computer. With most gaming mouses, you'll need to download a separate application to fully customize settings like sensitivity. This can be found on the manufacturer's website.

   • Some popular brands include:
     • Logitech
     • Razer
     • Corsair
     • HyperX
2. 2
   Open the program and sync your mouse. Some programs will automatically recognize your mouse, while others require the serial number to sync fully. Once it's added to your program, you can adjust the DPI to increase or decrease mouse sensitivity.
3. 3
   Change the mouse settings. This should be in a side panel or menu. You'll be able to change the DPI (dots per inch), colors (if you have an RBG model), and the actions of the physical buttons.

   • If you have extra physical buttons on your mouse, you can set the buttons to lower or increase your mouse sensitivity.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  What program do I use to set mouse sensitivity?

  

  Community Answer

  If your mouse came with its own software, install it and use that to control its settings. Otherwise, download the software from the manufacturer or use the Mouse settings in your Control Panel or System Preferences.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 15 Helpful 10
• Question

  How do I get the cursor to show up on Word documents?

  

  Community Answer

  Assuming you're using Windows, open the Mouse and Touchpad Settings (you can search for it in Windows Search and click it in the search results) and click "Additional mouse options." Then go to the "Pointer Options" tab and remove the check from "Hide pointer while typing."

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 9 Helpful 3
• Question

  I have Edge with Windows 10. How can I change the "wheel" in front of my pointer?

  

  Community Answer

  Open the Mouse and Touchpad Settings (you can search for it in Windows Search and click it in the search results) and click "Additional mouse options." Then go to the "Pointers" tab. Here you'll find various cursor schemes to choose from. You can also change an individual cursor by selecting it from the list and clicking "Browse." All available options will appear in the list.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 7 Helpful 5

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Video

== Tips ==.

• If you are still having difficulty with the mouse after adjusting the sensitivity settings, it could be due to dirt build-up on the bottom of the mouse. You may be able to resolve this issue by cleaning your mouse.

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Warnings

• Attempting to use your mouse on a glass, mirrored, or uneven surface will result in tracking issues.
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