Multiple mouse settings

Question

I use a different mouse at home and at work. Every time I switch locations, I have to adjust the mouse settings because one moves the pointer too fast and the other too slow.

Is there a way Windows can recognize different mice and apply the preferred settings accordingly?

Answer 1

Unfortunately Windows does not natively store separate pointer speed and sensitivity profiles per mouse. The main pointer speed setting is global, so when you switch mice, Windows applies the same speed to both devices. However, there are a few workarounds you can try.

One is to use each mouse manufacturer’s software if available. Logitech Options+, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG, Corsair iCUE, and similar tools can detect the specific mouse and automatically apply its DPI or sensitivity settings when connected. In many cases, the DPI is stored directly in the mouse’s onboard memory, so the mouse “feels right” regardless of the Windows pointer speed.

Another approach is to leave Windows pointer speed fixed and instead adjust DPI on each mouse itself. For example, set the work mouse to 800 DPI and the home mouse to 1600 DPI until both feel similar. This is often the cleanest solution because Windows no longer needs changing.

If your mice do not support onboard DPI profiles, you can automate Windows settings changes with AutoHotkey or PowerShell by detecting which mouse is connected and applying different registry values. This is more advanced, but it works.

Windows stores mouse speed in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse. The key value is MouseSensitivity. You can create two .reg files or PowerShell scripts with different values and run them when switching locations.

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Control Panel\Mouse" -Name MouseSensitivity -Value 6

Then log out and back in, or restart Explorer for the change to fully apply.

There are also third-party tools like Raw Accel or X-Mouse Button Control that offer more device-specific behavior, though they are mainly aimed at gamers and power users.

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hth

Marcin