I was looking for an application that gave me lots of freedom when configuring the actions of the buttons of my Logitech mouse. I’m not a huge fan of bloated software packages that are supplied by the hardware manufacturers. I was looking for something small, resource friendly and fast.
X-Mouse Button Control was that application. It runs on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, 2003 and Windows Vista and is using roughly 2 Megabytes when running in the background. The main purpose – better my purpose – of using that software is to add functions to a fourth and fifth mouse button. It would not make much sense to change the left, middle or right mouse button because they are already reserved for important Windows functions.
You can configure buttons to launch applications, issue specific Windows commands or simulate keystrokes. It could be configured to open the email application, web browser or a text document but also to switch to windows or cut, copy and paste text.
It’s very versatile and can simulate almost everything on the computer. Another excellent feature is the ability to create mouse layouts for specific applications. This would make it possible to use customized actions for selected applications. You could set copy and paste to the fourth and fifth mouse button in a text editor and load a playlist or video in your favorite media player. One thing that’s missing is the option to set actions for the mouse wheel as well but that’s the only criticism that I have.
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I use rather ancient MX500 (the very first model) and it runs under MouseWare. Eats around 1.7Mb of memory and is rock stable (not a single issue in years).
Such a pity MouseWare was discontinued in favor of SetPoint. I wonder is it possible to use it with newer mice, never tried.
On subject of X-Mouse – manages only two extra buttons?.. Seems too little, even my ancient one has 5 extras.
Seems interesting. I have a logitech wireless mouse keyboard set. Is there any software (an alternative to setpoint software by logitech) to assign those extra function keys that come with my logitech keyboard?
Great find! I too have a 5button logitech mouse, and hateee installing Setpoint just for the sole reason to customize a button.
From the FAQ:
“Can you add support for more buttons?
Unfortunately, XMouse is not a driver. It is only capable of responding the messages sent by the mouse driver. As far as I can see, the basic MS driver sends only messages for the first 5 buttons.
The new Logitech drivers for x64 also only send the first 5 buttons so I suspect, even with proper drivers, XMouse will only ever support 5 buttons.”
Using Autohotkey is easier. Though i guess it is only applicable for people with basic scripting aptitude (it’s easy). see example below
; Hotkeys for outlook to move between messages
#IfWinActive ahk_class rctrl_renwnd32 ;Outlook Message window
XButton2::^ ; Makes the MouseButton4 (back) go down, but only in Outlook Message window.
#IfWinActive ; This puts subsequent remappings and hotkeys in effect for all windows.
#IfWinActive ahk_class XLMAIN ; Excel – move across sheets
XButton2::^PgUp
XButton1::^PgDn
#IfWinActive ; This puts subsequent remappings and hotkeys in effect for all windows.
#IfWinActive WinMerge
XButton2::!Up
XButton1::!Down
#IfWinActive ; This puts subsequent remappings and hotkeys in effect for all windows.
I have been using and do not find any wrong things yet.
Great!
OK. So far this IS the next best thing since sliced bread! I, too, hate bloatware and the problems setpoint was giving my multi-monitor setup HP laptop (also running Synaptic for the touch-pad). I use Logitech MX600 series laser mouse (the one with volume and mute buttons that always worked). Now I can assign both my useless Xtra buttons (physically, both on the left side of my right handed model) to features in Photoshop like “fit to screen” (assigned via ctrl-0 shortcut to menu item in the app and mapped in Xmouse). Folks, just remember to look for the “simulated keystrokes” alphabetically sorted in the dropdown list of configurable options; I took me a bit to find this choice. Love it. *****
It is nice, but it doesn’t support mice with more than 5 buttons, which is understandable. You may try HydraMouse, it’s the only program I’ve seen that supports mice with more than 5 buttons, regardless of manufacturer (plus it’s very configurable, application/game specific settings, macros etc.)
would it be possible to configure this:
simultaneous left an right click instead a double left click (to open a folder).
I used to have such a feature on a logitech mouse years ago..
I loved it !