How to Control the Mouse with the Keyboard in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Built-in feature

Numpad movement keys

Third-party tools required

Overview

What Is Mouse Keys in Windows?

Mouse Keys is a built-in Windows accessibility feature that lets you control the mouse pointer with the keyboard. Instead of moving a physical mouse or touchpad, you use the numeric keypad to move the cursor around the screen and perform mouse actions.

This feature is useful when your mouse is broken, your touchpad is disabled, you need precise pointer movement, or you prefer keyboard-based navigation for accessibility reasons. It works in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and does not require additional software.

Important: Mouse Keys is different from keyboard shortcuts such as Tab, Enter, and arrow keys. Standard keyboard navigation moves between interface elements, while Mouse Keys directly moves the mouse pointer itself.

Feature	What It Does	Best For
Mouse Keys	Moves the mouse pointer with the numeric keypad	Replacing or supplementing a mouse
Tab navigation	Moves focus between buttons, fields, and links	Forms, dialogs, and menus
Keyboard shortcuts	Runs commands without using the pointer	Opening apps, switching windows, copying, pasting

Preparation

Before You Start: What You Need to Control the Mouse with the Keyboard

For the best experience, you need a keyboard with a numeric keypad. Mouse Keys uses the numpad keys 1 through 9 for pointer movement and the keys /, *, -, +, and 0 for mouse button actions.

Desktop keyboard: Usually includes a full numeric keypad on the right side.
Laptop keyboard: May require Fn plus embedded numpad keys, or an external USB/Bluetooth keyboard.
Num Lock: Depending on your settings, Mouse Keys may work only when Num Lock is on or off.

Tip: If numbers appear instead of moving the pointer, press Num Lock or check the Mouse Keys option that controls whether the feature works when Num Lock is on.

Windows 11

How to Enable Mouse Keys in Windows 11

In Windows 11, Mouse Keys is located in the Accessibility section of the Settings app. This is the recommended method because it also lets you adjust speed, acceleration, and shortcut behavior.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Select Accessibility in the left sidebar.
Scroll down and open Mouse.
Turn on Mouse keys.
Adjust the pointer speed and acceleration if the cursor moves too slowly or too quickly.

After enabling the feature, try moving the pointer with the numeric keypad. Use 8 to move up, 2 to move down, 4 to move left, and 6 to move right.

Windows 10

How to Enable Mouse Keys in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the feature is available through Ease of Access settings. The layout is slightly different from Windows 11, but the result is the same.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Ease of Access.
Open the Mouse section.
Enable Control your mouse with a keypad.
Change pointer speed and acceleration if needed.

You can also access older Mouse Keys settings through Control Panel:

Press Win + R.
Type control and press Enter.
Open Ease of Access Center.
Select Make the mouse easier to use.
Check Turn on Mouse Keys and click Apply.

Fast Method

How to Turn Mouse Keys On or Off with a Keyboard Shortcut

Windows also supports a quick shortcut for enabling Mouse Keys:

Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock

When you press this combination, Windows may show a confirmation dialog asking whether you want to turn on Mouse Keys. Press Enter to confirm.

If the shortcut does not work, open Mouse Keys settings and make sure the option that allows the keyboard shortcut is enabled. Some laptops also require the Fn key to activate Num Lock.

Controls

Mouse Keys Controls: How to Move, Click, Double-Click, Drag, and Drop

Once Mouse Keys is enabled, the numeric keypad becomes a mouse controller. The keys are arranged like directions on a compass.

Move up

8

Moves the pointer upward.

Move down

2

Moves the pointer downward.

Move left / right

4 6

Moves the pointer horizontally.

Move diagonally

7 9 1 3

Moves the pointer diagonally.

Action	Key	Result
Select left mouse button	`/`	Sets the left button as the active click button
Select both buttons	`*`	Sets both left and right buttons as active
Select right mouse button	`-`	Sets the right button as the active click button
Click	`5`	Clicks with the currently selected mouse button
Double-click	`+`	Performs a double-click
Hold mouse button	`0`	Holds the selected mouse button down for dragging
Release mouse button	`.`	Releases the held mouse button

Example: How to Drag an Item with the Keyboard

Move the pointer over the item using the numeric keypad.
Press / to select the left mouse button.
Press 0 to hold the left button down.
Move the pointer to the target location.
Press . to release the button and drop the item.

Optimization

Best Mouse Keys Settings to Adjust in Windows

The default Mouse Keys speed may feel slow, especially on large monitors. Open Mouse Keys settings and review these options:

Pointer speed: Controls how fast the mouse pointer moves when you hold a numpad key.
Pointer acceleration: Controls how quickly the pointer gains speed while a key is held.
Use Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on/off: Choose the behavior that fits your keyboard habits.
Show Mouse Keys icon on the taskbar: Makes it easier to see whether the feature is active.
Keyboard shortcut: Allows Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock to enable or disable Mouse Keys quickly.

Recommended setup: Increase pointer speed first, then fine-tune acceleration. If the cursor overshoots small buttons, lower acceleration and use short key presses for precise movement.

Laptop Keyboards

How to Control the Mouse with the Keyboard If You Have No Numeric Keypad

Many compact laptops do not have a separate numeric keypad. In that case, you still have several options:

Use an external keyboard: A USB or Bluetooth keyboard with a numeric keypad is the simplest solution.
Check for an embedded numpad: Some laptops map numeric keypad functions to letter keys and require Fn or Num Lock.
Use standard keyboard navigation: Press Tab, arrow keys, Enter, Space, Esc, and Alt shortcuts to operate many apps without moving the pointer.
Use the On-Screen Keyboard: You can open it with Win + Ctrl + O, but it is usually better for typing than for pointer control.

If you need full mouse replacement for daily use, an external keyboard with a real numpad is much more comfortable than an embedded laptop numpad.

Fixes

Mouse Keys Not Working in Windows: Common Problems and Fixes

Problem	Likely Cause	Fix
Numpad types numbers instead of moving the pointer	Num Lock behavior does not match Mouse Keys settings	Press `Num Lock` or change the Num Lock option in Mouse Keys settings
Shortcut does not enable Mouse Keys	Shortcut option is disabled	Enable the Mouse Keys keyboard shortcut in Accessibility settings
Pointer moves too slowly	Low pointer speed or acceleration	Increase speed and acceleration in Mouse Keys settings
Pointer does not move at all	Mouse Keys is disabled, wrong keyboard mode, or laptop Fn layer issue	Re-enable Mouse Keys, test `Num Lock`, and try an external keyboard
Right-click does not work	Wrong mouse button selected	Press `-` to select the right button, then press `5`

Additional Fixes to Try

Restart the computer to clear temporary input problems.
Check whether the keyboard works correctly in another app.
Disconnect and reconnect an external keyboard.
Update keyboard and chipset drivers through Windows Update or the device manufacturer.
Temporarily disable third-party keyboard remapping utilities if they intercept numpad keys.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Controlling the Mouse with the Keyboard in Windows

Can I control the mouse without installing any software?

Yes. Windows 10 and Windows 11 include Mouse Keys as a built-in accessibility feature. You can enable it in Settings and use the numeric keypad to move the pointer and click.

What is the shortcut to enable Mouse Keys?

The default shortcut is Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock. If it does not work, enable the shortcut option in Mouse Keys settings.

Can I right-click using Mouse Keys?

Yes. Press - on the numeric keypad to select the right mouse button, then press 5 to right-click.

Can I drag and drop with the keyboard?

Yes. Move the pointer over the item, press 0 to hold the selected mouse button, move to the destination, and press . to release it.

Does Mouse Keys work without a numeric keypad?

Usually, Mouse Keys requires numeric keypad keys. Some laptops provide an embedded numpad through the Fn key, but an external keyboard with a full numpad is more reliable.

Why does my numpad stop typing numbers after enabling Mouse Keys?

When Mouse Keys is active, Windows may use the numeric keypad for pointer control instead of number entry. Change the Num Lock option in Mouse Keys settings or turn Mouse Keys off when you need to enter numbers.

Summary

Conclusion: The Best Way to Move the Mouse Pointer with the Keyboard

The easiest way to control the mouse with the keyboard in Windows is to enable Mouse Keys in Accessibility settings. For occasional use, the shortcut Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock is the fastest option. For daily use, open Settings and adjust pointer speed, acceleration, and Num Lock behavior so the feature feels comfortable.

🖱 Bottom Line

If your mouse or touchpad stops working, Mouse Keys can help you regain control immediately. Use the numeric keypad to move the pointer, 5 to click, + to double-click, and 0 plus . to drag and drop. No extra software is required.