Microsoft's Free PowerToys Fixes Your Mouse Annoyances
Selecting long text and hiding your cursor just got way easier.
Microsoft just released an update to PowerToys, its free toolbox for Windows, that adds two new mouse features to make your computer less annoying. The first, Mouse Button Lock, lets you select large blocks of text without holding down the mouse button the whole time. Instead, you hold the button for a moment, release, then move your mouse to highlight—no more hand cramps. The second, CursorHide, makes your mouse cursor disappear while you're typing or after a few seconds of inactivity, so it stops blocking your view.
These might sound like small tweaks, but they can save you daily frustration and make you more productive. If you often select long passages or get annoyed by the cursor getting in the way, these tools are for you. PowerToys is completely free, and you can install it from the Microsoft Store or GitHub. The update also includes other mouse utilities like Find My Mouse, which helps you locate a lost cursor.
The catch? You have to install PowerToys to use these features, and some of them—like Mouse Button Lock—overlap with existing Windows settings (ClickLock). However, the PowerToys versions offer more customization, like choosing which mouse button to use and adjusting timing more precisely. If you're on Windows and want a smoother experience, it's worth a try.
- Mouse Button Lock lets you select long text without holding the mouse button down—just click, release, and move.
- CursorHide makes your cursor disappear while typing or after inactivity, so it doesn't block your screen.
- Both are part of the free PowerToys app, available from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
Why It Matters
Saves time and reduces hand strain during everyday computer tasks like editing documents or typing.