How to Reset Mouse & Keyboard Settings

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Reset your mouse and keyboard.

If your mouse and keyboard have been operating erratically or the system is not detecting one device or the other, the drivers on both devices may be corrupt. To reset the devices you need to either reinstall or update their drivers. You can accomplish this task by launching the Windows Device Manager utility. The Device Manager displays all the hardware on your computer and allows you to configure their settings, such as by updating a device's driver.

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Step 1

Click "Start" and then type "Device Manager" in the Search box.

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Step 2

Click "Device Manager" from the results list. The Device Manager window opens.

Step 3

Click the small arrow next to "Keyboards," and then right-click the name of the keyboard displayed. The keyboard's name will have the word "Keyboard" in it.

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Step 4

Select "Properties" from the pop-up menu, and then click the "Driver" tab on the Keyboard Properties window.

Step 5

Click the "Update Driver" button, and then click "Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software" in the pop-up window. The system automatically finds the latest driver for the keyboard and installs it. Close the Keyboard Properties window.

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Step 6

Click the small arrow next to "Mice and Other Pointing Devices" in the Device Manager window, and then right-click the name of the mouse. The name usually contains the words "Mouse" or "TouchPad."

Step 7

Select "Properties" from the pop-up menu, and then click the "Driver" tab.

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Step 8

Click the "Update Driver" button, and then click "Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software" in the pop-up window. The system automatically finds the latest driver for the mouse and installs it. Close the Mouse Properties window.

Step 9

Restart your computer.

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