How to increase or decrease the mouse double-click speed

Microsoft Windows users can increase or decrease their mouse double-click speed settings through the Mouse Properties window. Below are the steps required to access these Windows settings and how to adjust the double-click speed.

Windows Vista and later

The following steps apply to Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and press Enter.
2. In the Control Panel window, click Hardware and Sound.

3. On the Hardware and Sound screen, in the Devices and Printer section, click Mouse.

4. In the Mouse Properties window, click the Buttons tab (A), if it has not already selected.
5. In the Double-click speed section (B), drag the slider left to increase the double-click window. Moving closer to the "Slow" end means your double-clicks can be spaced out more (i.e., there is more time between the two clicks) and still register as a double-click.
   
   Conversely, moving the slider to the right (faster) shortens the double-click window, meaning you must double-click quickly to activate objects like folders or executable programs.

5. To save the settings change and test the double-click speed sensitivity, click the Apply button(C).
6. When you're satisfied with the click speed, click the OK button (D).

Windows XP and earlier

The following steps apply to Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows XP.

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Mouse icon. If you're having difficulty double-clicking this icon, highlight the icon by clicking it once and press Enter.
3. In the Mouse Properties window, click the Activities tab, or if you're using an earlier version of Microsoft Windows, such as Windows 98, open the Buttons tab, if not already open.
4. Once you are in the appropriate location, there is a setting for Double-click speed. Dragging the indicator to the left (toward Slow) increases the time between double-clicks (i.e., more time between the two clicks). Dragging the indicator to the right (toward Fast) decreases the double-click window, meaning you must double-click quickly.
5. To test the double-click speed, try double-clicking in the Test Area, a folder or a jack-in-the-box. Double-clicking the folder opens and closes it, and double-clicking the jack-in-the-box causes the jack to pop out of the box.
6. Once you have the double-click speed set to a usable setting, click the Apply button and click OK.