Tip #2516 - Mouse ClickLock
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Mouse
ClickLock
The computer mouse,
in all possible ways, like the touchpad for laptops and the graphical
pen, has been an inseparable part of every computer user throughout the
world. In fact, thinking about starting up your computer and doing all
your tasks with the pure keyboard is like a nightmare! Especially when
it comes to working in some complex environments like the Internet or
getting busy handling some heavy computer operations.
A friendly companion
of mouse usage is its capability to make our computing lives more fruitful
by letting us do some mouse related tasks with ease. All of you are probably
familiar with the dragging and dropping process. It’s no new phenomenon
and we do it nearly everyday; for making shortcuts, for moving our files
or for making copies of some applications and data types inside some other
folders.
Your first and best
guess for dragging your files to different locations is through clicking
on a file and holding down your left mouse button (or right mouse button
for right handed people) and moving your files from one place to another.
During this process, you know that you shouldn’t let go of your
mouse button until you find your proper new place for your file. You can
then release your finger and it’s done.
For example, you have
just dragged and dropped a file from a folder to your desktop. Now, is
there any way that you can have more control over the drag and drop? Is
it possible to tell Windows to hold a file for you with the mouse while
you go drink a cup of coffee and then return to finish the process? Is
there a way to do this without the routine holding down and pressing your
mouse button as you do all the time?
You may not be expecting
it, but the answer is yes. Please read on to explore. There is a feature
on the Windows XP mouse panel that allows you to click on a file for a
second or so (in fact, you can decide on its time), then release your
finger and your file is automatically locked, selected and ready to move
as if you are still holding down your mouse button. Then, by simply moving
your mouse, the dragging is done. So, whenever you find your desired place
for the file to be placed, you can just finish your process with a single
click. Can you believe that?!
To begin this technique,
start by clicking on Start and going to the Control
Panel. Please make sure that you are using the Classic
View of your Control Panel. Then select the Mouse
icon.
Now, your Mouse Properties
window has appeared. Take a look at the top of the window to make sure
the first tab, the Buttons Tab, is selected.
Now, look at the lower
section of the window. This is where you will find the ClickLock
properties area. Check the box that reads "Turn On ClickLock."
Upon checking this box, the Settings button becomes vivid.
Click on it to pop
up a small window with the ClickLock Settings feature.
As you can see in
the image, there is a bar extended from the short to long period. With
this, you can select the amount of time you want Windows to hold down
your mouse button for you when you're transferring a file from one location
to another. With whatever time period you choose, just remember that you
won't have to continuously hold down your mouse button by yourself. Windows
will do it for you. So, if you think you want it held for a long time,
choose the long end of the scroll bar. Please note that Windows XP does
this through software and your mouse button is not held down physically.
For an experiment,
select the shortest time for now. Once you do that, you can experience
the results right at this very moment. Just click on the blue header of
the small window for nearly a second and then release your finger. What
has happened? Without any clicking on any mouse button, just move your
mouse to see your window moving.
You see, it’s
a really comfortable method. You are dragging a window, but without your
routine, repetitious holding down of your mouse button. Then, when you
make a single click, it actually unselects your window. Try it! Move your
ClickLock window to a corner of your desktop and then make a single click
to drop your window there.
If you choose longer
ranges, you should press your mouse button down longer before letting
go. It’s really up to you to find the most convenient time for your
needs.
Now, click OK
and OK again to exit. The ClickLock feature is a very
handy method that simply enables us to drag our files without having to
continuously hold down our mouse buttons. It is also certainly more enjoyable
and comfortable.
~ Hamid Reza
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