Treat mouse input as touch input

supercilious

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3
Hi,

Happy new user of my first Windows 8 device (Dell XPS 12 i7 running Windows 8.1 Pro). I like the touch input when it is flat in tablet mode, but when I plug a USB mouse into it when I am at my desk, I want the mouse inputs to be treated exactly like finger inputs on the touch screen. For example, scrolling by touching/clicking anywhere in a window or the ability to flick things using my mouse like I can with my finger. Simply using the mouse makes everything behave like it did in Windows 7: Clicking and dragging selects things instead of scrolling in Office 2013. I don't want this, I want it behave like Android does when I plug a mouse into it: Just like a finger was there.

I have looked everywhere for such a setting, but I cannot find one. How can I achieve this? I want all mouse inputs to be treated exactly like touch inputs.

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Why attach a mouse if you want it to act like touch? I don't get it.
People expect Windows to work with a mouse as a mouse even on a tablet. Some apps do treat the mouse as if on touch, but most of the time using a mouse with a touch display, it is better to use desktop rules. I haven't looked for a setting, but I don't believe it is possible nor wanted.
If isn't natural to move a mouse the same way you move your finger to navigate a screen. Plus I find the scroll wheel on my mouse suffices just fine for what would be swipe gestures on touch.
 

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Why attach a mouse if you want it to act like touch? I don't get it.
Because holding my arms with a 12 inch tablet in front of me gets very tiring very quickly. Its a stupid way to interact with an excel spreadsheet for 8 hours. So I plugged in a mouse. What does that have to do with my question? What difference does it make why I want it?

People expect Windows to work with a mouse as a mouse even on a tablet. Some apps do treat the mouse as if on touch, but most of the time using a mouse with a touch display, it is better to use desktop rules. I haven't looked for a setting, but I don't believe it is possible nor wanted.
People who expect that have already got that. I'm asking for the setting or option, not changing any defaults. It does not hurt anyone. How can you say its not wanted? I posted asking about it because it is wanted, by me!

If isn't natural to move a mouse the same way you move your finger to navigate a screen. Plus I find the scroll wheel on my mouse suffices just fine for what would be swipe gestures on touch.
It suffices for you perhaps. But some of us don't like schizophrenic operating systems that can't decide whether they behave like touch screens or not. In android or iOS when I plug a mouse into it, it behaves consistently and fluidly, rather than turning into a 90's era beige box.

All I want is for my mouse input to be treated the same as my touch input. Instead I get told that you don't know how, and because it works fine for your purposes, nothing more is ever needed. Thats a fine way to answer a simple question. Thank you for that.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
for firefox you can use the "grab and drag" addon, and could use it in office if you use office nline/office365/office cia skydrive integration.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for your help, but it doesn't matter anymore. I returned the XPS 12 back to Dell. Windows 8 is an awful operating system, and I got fed up with trying to make it work. I instead got myself a proper 12 inch laptop from Lenovo and installed windows 7 on it, and I got myself a galaxy note 10.1 for casual use and apps. I'm MUCH happier with android for touch and a real windows machine for work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
For others that read this thread and feel the same, investigate the large touchpads; ie, Logitech T-650 and a few others. I use Win 8.1.1 on an older desktop and this pad helps provide nearly the full touch experience with gestures.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1
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