Remapping your mouse’s extra buttons can boost your productivity, especially for repetitive tasks like copy and paste. If you use an iClever Bluetooth Mouse MD172 or a similar mouse with customizable side buttons, here’s a step-by-step guide to reconfigure those buttons on Windows using a free tool called Mouse Manager.
Why Remap Mouse Buttons?
Many modern mice—such as the iClever MD172—include extra buttons on the side, commonly mapped to forward and backward actions in browsers and file explorers. By remapping them, you can assign frequently used actions (for example, “Copy” and “Paste”) for editing or office work, making your workflow faster and more efficient.
What You Need
- A mouse with extra (side) buttons: e.g., iClever MD172.
- A Windows PC with administrator privileges.
- Mouse Manager software (free): This lets you reassign mouse buttons easily.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remap Mouse Buttons
- Download Mouse Manager
- Go to the Mouse Manager site.
- The site may look basic, but the tool is trustworthy and widely used.
- Download and install the software. If you get a warning (such as “Don’t run”), click “More info” and “Run anyway” to continue installation.
- Install and Open the Software
- Once installed, search for “Mouse Manager” in the Windows Start menu.
- Run it as administrator or as a normal user.
- Configure the Buttons
- On the Mouse Manager interface, you will see your mouse buttons labeled, typically as buttons 3, 4, and 5.
- Click on the button you want to remap (e.g., Button 4 or 5).
- Click “Add” to choose a new function. For example, set Button 4 to Ctrl+V (“Paste”) and Button 5 to Ctrl+C (“Copy”).
- After selecting your desired shortcuts, click “Add” and then “Save.”
- Enable Mouse Manager
- Make sure Mouse Manager is enabled.
- Also, set it to “Start with Windows” so your remapping works right from boot-up.
- Test Your New Setup
- Open any application (such as Notepad).
- Press the newly-configured side buttons to check if they work as intended.
Important Notes
- Per-Computer Configuration: Remapping is done at the system level, not in the mouse itself. If you plug the mouse into another PC or mobile device, the default functions (forward/back) will remain unless you set up Mouse Manager there too.
- Corporate or Restricted PCs: On work or school laptops, you may not have permission to install Mouse Manager, and this method won’t work without installation rights.
Conclusion
That’s all you need to quickly remap your mouse’s extra buttons for greater efficiency! The process is fast, simple, and reversible, helping you customize your working style without buying extra hardware.
Useful Links
- iClever MD172 quick review and overview: https://youtu.be/l_gWBXUCtCY
- Download Mouse Manager: https://realityripple.com/Software/Applications/Mouse-Manager/