Accessibility Turn On or Off Activate Window by Hovering Over with Mouse Pointer in Windows 11


mouse_pointer_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse pointer for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

By default in Windows, you need to click/tap on a window to make it active and bring it into focus.

If wanted, you can turn on to activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse pointer for a half second (500 ms).

Starting with Windows 11 build 26120.3671 (Beta 24H2), build 26200.5518 (Dev), and build 27842.1000 (Canary), as part of Microsoft's ongoing work to improve settings experiences, Microsoft starting to make more mouse related settings available directly under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch without needing to go into Control Panel. This includes the settings for mouse indicator, mouse pointer trails, and further mouse behavior and pointer customization. As part of this work, Microsoft has also added the ability to adjust the amount of time needed to hover over a window to activate it, if you have activated on hover enabled. Finally, Microsoft updated the icon used for Mouse pointer speed in Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse and added an icon to the Enhance mouse pointer precision option.

The Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse setting is stored in the UserPreferencesMask binary value in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop registry key for the current user.




Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Activate Window on Hover by Mouse Pointer in Settings
  • Option Two: Turn On or Off Activate Window on Hover by Mouse Pointer in Control Panel




Option One

Turn On or Off Activate Window on Hover by Mouse Pointer in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Accessibility on the left side, and click/tap on Mouse on the right side under Interaction. (see screenshot below)


Mouse_Settings.webp

3 Turn on or off (default) Activate on hover for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Activate_on_hover.webp

4 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Turn On or Off Activate Window on Hover by Mouse Pointer in Control Panel


1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Ease of Access Center icon.

2 Click/tap on the Make the mouse easier to use link. (see screenshot below)

Hover_to_activate-1.png

3 Check (on) or uncheck (off - default) Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Hover_to_activate-2.png

4 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
Another useful tutorial. Thank you sir!
 

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Okay, so now the window focus follows the mouse, but it also pops the focus window on top of all the other windows. Is there a way to make the window focus follow the mouse without it popping the focus window on top of all the other windows? We're now in the year 2023. Why can't Microsoft get this right?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Thank you for this, Shawn.
The timing seems too immediate for me. Is it possible to modify the trigger to, e.g., 1.5 seconds, before a window is opened on hover?
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2
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    PC/Desktop
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    Dell XPS8950
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    i7-12700K
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    Z690 : 9D2HH Foxconn, R6PCT Foxconn 2nd
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    Win 23H2
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    Dell Vostro 5620
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    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P
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    NVMe 512 GB
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    Aluminum
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    Touchpad
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    Vivaldi
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    Windows Defender (native)
safron said:
Thank you for this, Shawn.
The timing seems too immediate for me. Is it possible to modify the trigger to, e.g., 1.5 seconds, before a window is opened on hover?
Click to expand...

Hello safron, :alien:

There sure is. You can change the ActiveWndTrkTimeout DWORD value below to how many milliseconds (ms) timeout you want.

www.elevenforum.com

Change Time to Activate Window by Hovering Over with Mouse Pointer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the timeout to activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse pointer for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. By default in Windows, you need to click/tap on a window to make it active and bring it into focus. If you turn on Activate a...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    Logitech wireless K800
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    Logitech MX Master 3
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    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
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    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
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    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
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    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
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    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
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    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    15" HDR
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    2496 x 1664
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    1 TB SSD
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    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Thank you Shawn. Perfect!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS8950
    CPU
    i7-12700K
    Motherboard
    Z690 : 9D2HH Foxconn, R6PCT Foxconn 2nd
    Memory
    16GB (2 x 8)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 770 with shared graphics memory
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer CBL282K Smiiprx
    Screen Resolution
    4K UHD (3840 x 2160) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital PC SN810 512 GB M.2 NVMe SSD, PCIe
    PSU
    750W
    Cooling
    2G44F Asetek 125W CPU liquid cooler
    Keyboard
    Arteck Wireless
    Mouse
    Victsing-mm057 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 6
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender (native)
  • Operating System
    Win 23H2
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    Dell Vostro 5620
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P
    Memory
    2 x 8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    NVMe 512 GB
    Case
    Aluminum
    Mouse
    Touchpad
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender (native)

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
"Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse" is absent on my 22621.1702

1684908042295.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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    PC/Desktop
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    6600k@4.6
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    Gigabyte Z170M-D3H
    Memory
    16 GB Samsung EB0-CK0@ 2300 1.49v 11-13-12-28
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    Radeon 470
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    Prodigy HD2
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    LG 34"
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    MSI Spatium M470 1 TB
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    Corsair RM650x
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    Chieftec Aegis CX-05B-BM
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    Deep Cool AK620
    Keyboard
    RED SQUARE Tesla RGB
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    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    60Mb/s
    Browser
    Cent
WindR said:
"Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse" is absent on my 22621.1702
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome. :alien:

It looks like you needed to click on the Make the mouse easier to use link instead of Make the keyboard easier to use link at step 2.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
@Schlermie, use 'x-mouse controls' to enable true focus follows mouse. However, windows apps are not designed for this mode, some may still raise themselves unexpectedly when they have focus. Also menus will disappear when the mouse pointer exits the menu area, which they don't on x11, due to the mouse grab. That said, I do see an improvement in usability of ms windows in this mode recently. Most noticeable is the fact that mouse scroll applies to the pointed window recently instead of the window that has keyboard focus like it used to. Microsoft does get more and more things right s_l_o_w_l_y.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Android 13
    Computer type
    Tablet
@Brink I am trying to toggle on/off the Activate Window by Hovering function with a script. I've created a powershell script to change the registry, but the registry change doesn't take effect until reboot. Any idea for a work around?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
sstreets said:
@Brink I am trying to toggle on/off the Activate Window by Hovering function with a script. I've created a powershell script to change the registry, but the registry change doesn't take effect until reboot. Any idea for a work around?
Click to expand...
Hello, and welcome. :alien:

I'm not aware of which process or service that could be restarted to apply this registry value change without either a sign out/in or restart.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Tutorial updated to add option one for Settings. :alien:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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