MS Optical Mouse 4000 Review - Let's talk software

The mouse can be used immediately. Plug the USB transceiver into an open port, and Win XP will automatically detect it as a three-button scroll wheel mouse.  If you want to use the left and right scroll features or the thumb switch, though, you will have to install the included software.  The CD included with my mouse has Microsoft IntelliPoint software version 5.30.606.0 for cordless mouse and keyboard; however, a quick jump online revealed that v6.1 is available for download.

The IntelliPoint software is pretty comprehensive. Each of the buttons is programmable, with the exception of the side scroll buttons, it seems.  If you want to use the middle button in its standard middle button configuration, you can, but you have to open Microsoft Mouse Properties and change it from the default "Next Window" which is, again, counter-intuitive, but it seems every mouse maker has to make their mark somehow.  As with the Logitech mouse, one can program key combinations into a button as well as being able to launch a specific program with it.  Also useful is the Program-specific applications menu, which allows you to program the mouse to act a little differently when using certain programs (i.e. playing games).

One major issue I have with the IntelliPoint Software is that it changes the way the scroll button on my IBM T-23 laptop works in a number of annoying ways.  To start with, if one accidentally hits the scroll button alone, the machine goes into a preview mode, which shows an image of each of the windows on the task bar so you can choose which one to bring forward.  I have yet to figure out how to turn this off without uninstalling the mouse software, but that's my current plan of attack.

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