- Download and install the software.
- It will scan your computer for problems.
- The tool will then fix the issues that were found.
The mouse pointer is one of those things you just take for granted. You don’t think about it much unless something goes wrong. Then suddenly, you notice that the cursor is blinking everywhere—on every window, menu, and button. It’s annoying, especially since you’re trying to work. So what do you do? If you’re like me, you probably try to ignore it. But sometimes, it gets out of hand.
So let’s start with the basics. What exactly happens when the mouse highlights everything? Well, it depends on what you mean by “everything.” For example, if you’re talking about the desktop, it could be anything from the background image to icons. Or maybe it’s just a single application window.
There are three ways this can happen. First, you might have a virus/malware program on your computer that’s causing the problem. Second, you could have a hardware malfunction, such as a broken trackpad or faulty USB port. Third, you could have a software glitch. This includes both Windows and Mac applications.
If you suspect that your system has a virus, you’ll want to run a scan. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to make sure that you clean up the remnants of whatever you removed. If you’re having trouble identifying the cause of the problem, you can always contact a tech support specialist.
Now, let’s talk about fixing the problem. As mentioned above, there are a number of ways to go about doing this. My favorite method is to uninstall programs that aren’t necessary simply. For instance, if you’re constantly getting popups, you can disable your browser’s popup blocker. Likewise, if you’re having trouble accessing certain websites, you can change your internet settings to allow access to those resources.
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Is there a reason why my mouse highlights everything?
When looking at something online, it’s common to see the mouse highlight every single thing on the screen. This happens because most browsers use “sticky keys.” If you’ve ever used a laptop keyboard, you know how sticky keys work. They make it easy to move focus around the browser window. But sometimes, the mouse highlights things that aren’t visible on the screen. This can confuse people trying to read text on a web page.
The problem seems to happen mainly on Mac computers. However, some Windows users are reporting similar issues. We found several sites where the issue appears to be widespread. We tested our site, and we noticed the same behavior. So what causes this weird mouse highlighting effect?
There’s no real solution yet. However, there are a few things you can try to minimize the problem.
How to fix your mouse that highlights everything?
Install the latest mouse driver
Your mouse driver ensures that your OS is compatible with the mouse you’re using. If your mouse doesn’t work correctly, you’ll notice problems with the cursor moving around the screen or laggy performance. You might even experience random crashes. To ensure that everything works smoothly, make sure that your mouse driver is up to date.
Here are the steps to update the driver:
1. Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Mice and Other Pointing Devices.
3. Right-click on your mouse and select Update Driver.
Updated: March 2025
This tool is highly recommended to help you fix your error. Plus, this tool offers protection against file loss, malware, and hardware failures, and optimizes your device for maximum performance. If you already have a problem with your computer, this software can help you fix it and prevent other problems from recurring:
- Step 1 : Install the PC Repair and Optimizer Tool. (Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista).
- Step 2 : Click Start Scan to determine what problems you are experiencing with your computer.
- Step 3 : Click Repair Allto resolve all problems.
Install the mouse driver in compatibility mode again
If you are having trouble running specific programs or seeing everything on your screen, it could be because of an outdated or corrupt mouse driver. A mouse driver allows your computer to communicate with your mouse, and if it gets damaged or outdated, you might see problems like blurry text or missing icons. To solve this issue, reinstall your mouse driver in compatibility settings.
If you don’t see “Mouse,” try opening Device Manager. You’ll find your mouse listed under Other devices. Click on it and then select Properties. In the properties window, scroll down to the bottom and look for the Driver tab. Select the dropdown menu next to “Driver:” and choose “Compatibility.” Then restart your PC.
Reboot your computer cleanly
The main reason behind performing a clean boot is that you want to know whether some application might be causing issues with your computer. You might have installed some programs such as antivirus software, browser extensions, etc., and now you want to make sure that none of those programs are interfering with the way Windows works.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type cmd into the Search box and press Enter.
3. A black window appears.
4. Right-click on the Command Prompt icon and select Run As Administrator.
5. Now type “cleanmbr” and hit Enter.
6. Wait while the process runs.
7. When finished, restart your PC.
Change the speed of your mouse’s double click
You’ve probably noticed that some programs allow you to adjust how quickly you double-click on things. For example, if you use Microsoft Word, you’ll notice that there are different settings for opening documents, highlighting text, etc. If you want to change those settings, you can do so by following these steps.
From the Start menu, search for “control panel.” Once you find it, open it. Now, look under View by and select Large Icons. This will make your desktop icons larger, making it easier to see what you’re clicking on.
Now, scroll down to double-Click Options. There are several options here, including the option to turn off the ability to double-click on items. To do that, simply uncheck the box next to Turn Off Double-Clicks. Now, whenever you double-click something, you won’t accidentally highlight what you’re clicking on—you’ll just move forward.
Launch the SFC scanner
1. Type “cmd” into the Search Bar
(Note the space between sfc)
(The command should be entered w/o quotes)
2. Then type: “sfc /scannow”
This will start the Windows System File Checker (SFC). This tool checks for missing files, corrupt registry entries, invalid shortcuts, etc. If you see errors, it could mean issues with your hard drive.
If you don’t want to run the full scan, you can choose what areas to check. For example, you can just check the system folder. Or you can select specific folders such as Program Files, My Documents, Desktop, etc. You can even choose to skip some of the steps.
You’ll notice that the scan takes several minutes. Once complete, you’ll receive a report detailing any problems found.
APPROVED: To fix Windows errors, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make the mouse not highlight everything?
Find "Control Panel" in the Start menu and go there. While in the Control Panel, click on View by and set it to Large Icons. Now select Mouse. On the Buttons tab, uncheck the Enable Button Lock checkbox.
Why is my cursor always highlighting everything?
This problem occurs when the cursor blink rate is set to a minimum or 0. You can reset this setting as follows. a) Press "Windows Logo" + "X" on your keyboard and select "Control Panel" from that menu.
Why does my mouse select everything when I click?
There may be several reasons everything is selected when I click, such as a broken or outdated mouse/touchpad driver—faulty mouse or touchpad on your laptop. The sticky Keys function is activated.