Hold down left mouse key

Sterlingtimes

Is there a keyboard function that will hold down the left mouse key (without the use of a mouse) until released?

lammy82

Yes, assuming you are using Windows, turn on MouseKeys by pressing Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock together. If you're using a laptop you might need to press an additional "fn" button to activate the Num Lock button, so you're pressing 4 keys together. This should pop up a window asking you if you want to turn on MouseKeys. Select Yes.

Now you can simulate a left-mouse click by pressing 5 on the numeric keypad on the right of your keyboard. If you don't have a separate keypad (e.g. on a laptop) then look for the additional numbers overlaid on the main QWERTY keys. On my HP laptop the 5 is the same key as "I", and I have to ensure that Num Lock is switched on (lit up) and then press alt + I together to simulate a left-mouse click. You can hold it down to simulate holding the mouse button down.

Simples!

John_Gray

Go on, humour me! Why on earth would you want to hold down the left mouse button for an extended period of time?!

were

just stick some masking or painters tape over the left mouse button. possibly as soon as you press another button the left button ststus is cancelled on mine.

As John Gray said, why?

Sterlingtimes

Thank you, Lammy82. I am already using Mousekeys and a modified Cherry numeric pad. Yes, key 5 operates as a left mouse key from the point of view of clicking but it cannot be held down in the way that left mouse key can.

Sterlingtimes

John_Gray wrote: »

Go on, humour me! Why on earth would you want to hold down the left mouse button for an extended period of time?!

Okay, I'll humour you. I have a disability which gives me limited use of my hands. It is perhaps difficult to fully appreciate the awkwardness of using a computer handsfree. I am using voice computing many workarounds. An example of an application benefiting from a left mouse key being held down is the tuning of a remote software defined radio receiver. I can drag a mouse but I can't click it.

Sterlingtimes

were wrote: »

just stick some masking or painters tape over the left mouse button. possibly as soon as you press another button the left button ststus is cancelled on mine.

As John Gray said, why?

Actually, this could be quite a helpful comment. I could possibly plug-in a secondary mouse with the left key glued down but I would need some means of switching the secondary mouse in and out. Thank you. Something like a USB switch if such a thing exists.

John_Gray

That strikes me as an excellent reason, which never occurred to me! Good luck!

lammy82

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

Thank you, Lammy82. I am already using Mousekeys and a modified Cherry numeric pad. Yes, key 5 operates as a left mouse key from the point of view of clicking but it cannot be held down in the way that left mouse key can.

After further research: Try pressing the '0' (zero) button on the numeric keypad. You don't have to hold it down, but it simulates holding the mouse button down. Press '.' (decimal point - again, the one on the numeric keypad) to release the mouse button. This seems to work for me!

Jackmydad

Don't know if something like this is any use
http://amzn.to/2DkCtCx
(No affiliation)
Good luck!

Sterlingtimes

Thank you, Joe.