Windows Drag and Drop Without Mouse Button: A How-To Guide
Simplify Text Selection and Dragging in Windows with ClickLock
Individuals who utilize a touchpad, trackpad, or experience difficulties with mouse operation – such as those with arthritis – may encounter challenges when needing to hold down the primary mouse button while simultaneously moving the mouse for text selection or item manipulation.
Windows incorporates a built-in utility known as ClickLock, designed to address this issue. This feature enables a brief initial press of the primary mouse button, followed by mouse movement to select text or reposition items, and a subsequent click to finalize the action.
Activating the ClickLock Feature
To begin, access the Power User menu by pressing the “Windows key + X” simultaneously. From the displayed menu, choose “Control Panel.”
It’s worth noting that alternative methods exist for accessing the Win+X menu.
Within the “Control Panel” interface, select “Hardware and Sound.”
Navigate to the “Devices and Printers” section within the “Hardware and Sound” screen, and then click on “Mouse.”
The “View by” option allows you to alter how “Control Panel” items are displayed, choosing between large or small icons for a consolidated list.
If utilizing the large or small icon view, simply click on “Mouse” from the list.
Within the “Mouse Properties” dialog box, ensure the “Buttons” tab is selected. Locate the “ClickLock” area and check the “Turn on ClickLock” box to activate the feature. Then, click the “Settings” button.
The “Settings for ClickLock” dialog box will appear, allowing you to define the duration for which the primary mouse button must be held down before the click is registered as “locked.” Adjust the slider to modify this time interval. Confirm your selection by clicking “OK” to close the “Settings for ClickLock” dialog box.
Click “OK” on the “Mouse Properties” dialog box to save your changes and close it.
Close the “Hardware and Sound” window by clicking the “X” in the upper-right corner.
Using ClickLock
Now, to select text or move an item, simply click and briefly hold the primary mouse button, then release it. Move the mouse to perform the desired selection or movement. A subsequent click of the primary mouse button will complete the action.
To disable ClickLock, uncheck the “Turn on ClickLock” box within the “Mouse Properties” dialog box. This functionality is also available in older Windows versions, including Windows 7, Vista, and XP.