Middle Click Scrolling in Windows

So I can't find any mention of this on, so maybe someone here knows.

I hate the middle click to scroll feature in Windows. I have Firebird setup to open links in new tabs when I middle click, but half the time I end up with that round scrolling cursor and I've scrolled my link away.

Is there any way to disable this? The mouse control panel doesn't mention it at all.

I can scroll with the wheel, thank you. I have no need to middle click and then move the entire mouse!

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

What kind of mouse do you have?  Have you downloaded the latest drivers for it?  Most mice I've seen update "Mouse" in the Control Panel and allow you to change the settings there.  (I have my middle button set to minimize windows.)

Kyralessa
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

It's some generic USB mouse. It doesn't have any special drivers, it just works.

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Yeah, have a look here to get the latest Intellipoint software that lets you customise the wheel button:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouse/download_ns.asp

John C
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Microsoft wants me to select my mouse hardware before downloading, but I don't have a MS mouse. It's just some generic USB mouse with no brand name.

Should I just pick one and go with it?

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Microsoft mice have incredibly light scroll wheels. I found it absolutely unusable and got a new one.

Anyone at all using a MS mouse and pleased with it?

Alex.ro
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

I love their hardware.  I don't use the intellimouse explorer's, just the regular scroll wheel, some have the forward/back buttons, non contoured, optical mice.  I've tried logitech mice, but somehow they just don't feel right in my hand. 

Elephant
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

This mouse I have is some generic no-name from a local computer shop, but it's the best mouse I've ever used. Great feel, perfect scroll wheel, and $15.

I do love MS keyboards though, the original Natural is right up there with my model M. I use the M at work and the Natural at home.

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

The Firebird all-in-one gestures extension allow you to specify whatever you want with the middle mouse button.

In my case I have setup the middle mouse button to initiate gestures and open links in a new tab.

Jan Derk
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

The middle click scrolling is not just in Firebird. Try it in notepad or IE.

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Is this Firebird or Firefox?  I tried Firebird a while ago, and apparently I'm the only one on the planet (or at least this forum) that uses the middle click scrolling in addition to the mousewheel scrolling.

Anyway, with Firebird, it (middle click scrolling) didn't work out of the install, so I stopped using it.  If Firefox has it, I'll be grabbing the bin right away.

Dignified
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

I have MS optical mice and keyboards both at home and work (for work I had to buy them myself and bring them in). I adore both. The mouse is perfect for the hand. I had to buy a logitech for the laptop, and it is not the same.

I have no trouble clicking the wheel for the middle click for a new tab, and rotating it for scrolling.

Stephen Jones
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

trying sifting through reams of data in Excel. Then you will truly appreciate the middle click and scroll.

Tapiwa
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Weird. The wheel was so light, in 1 case out 10 it would snap up or down one notch *after* I took the finger off. Very disturbing.

I replaced it, same glitch. I've been touching MS mice around, all have very light wheels.

Whatever.

Alex.ro
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

"Anyway, with Firebird, it (middle click scrolling) didn't work out of the install, so I stopped using it.  If Firefox has it, I'll be grabbing the bin right away."

So, a solution for both of you. It's configurable in Firefox.

Tools | Options | Advanced
Browsing >> Use Autoscrolling

Check to turn on, uncheck to turn off.

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Thanks!

Joe
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Thanks Brad, after I replied, I downloaded it anyway just to see for myself.  I think I'm finally replacing IE 6.0.

The only difficulty I see now is how anyone can possibly memorize all of the mouse gestures that come with the extension.  I think the first 100 digits of pi might be easier. :)

Dignified
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

You only need a few: close tab, open in new tab...

Alex.ro
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Sorry for the naming confusion. I meant the latest version of the browser with the every changing name, which currently is Firefox 0.8.

Jan Derk
Tuesday, February 17, 2004

About not ever using IE: it's used anyways as a control in many programs, so you should jack the security settings way up, for all zones.  Switch it to 'high', then go even higher manually.

So just realize that you may have switched away for your browsing, but what happens when you open an HTML email, i.e. spam?  Or use some other program that uses the IE framework?

And no, I haven't figured out the perfect solution for this either.

pds
Wednesday, February 18, 2004

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