How to change mouse speed on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the mouse is an essential tool for navigating and performing actions with ease. To ensure the best experience, it’s important to optimize its settings to match your preferences.

If the default mouse pointer speed feels too fast or too slow (perhaps you need quicker movement across a multi-monitor setup or slower pacing for better precision), Windows 11 provides several methods to adjust this feature. You can use the Settings app, Control Panel, or Registry Editor to fine-tune the speed to your liking.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to change the mouse speed on your computer.

How to change mouse speed using Settings on Windows 11

To adjust the mouse pointer speed on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.
3. Click the Mouse page on the right side.

4. Use the "Mouse pointer speed" slider to adjust the pointer speed.

Once you complete the steps, the mouse movements will reflect the speed you selected on the settings page.

How to change mouse speed using Control Panel on Windows 11

To change the mouse speed with Control Panel, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound.
3. Click the Mouse option under the "Devices and Printers" section.

4. Click the Pointer Options tab.
5. Under the "Motion" section, use the slider to increase or decrease the speed of the mouse pointer.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will apply the new speed for the mouse pointer on your computer.

How to change mouse speed using Registry on Windows 11

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended to make a full backup of your computer.

To change the mouse speed through the Registry Editor, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
3. Browse the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse
4. Double-click the MouseSensitivity key and set the value to any number from 1 to 20 to set the desired speed.

• Quick tip: The default value is "10," which means you should use a smaller number to slow the mouse or a higher number to speed up the mouse pointer.

5. Click the OK button.
6. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, the mouse pointer should work at the speed you specified in the "MouseSensitivity" key.

If you want to reverse the changes, follow the same instructions outlined above, but in step 4, change the value to 10 to reset the speed to its default value.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know