You can stop your mouse from selecting when hovering in Windows 10 by trying the solutions below but before that, check if booting your system with the bare minimum solves the problem. Moreover, check if connecting the mouse directly (without any adapter/dongle) to the computer solves the problem.
Solution 1: Update the BIOS, Windows, and Drivers of Your System to the Latest Build
The mouse pointer issue may be caused by the incompatibility between the OS modules as the modules are not updated to the latest build. In this context, updating the BIOS, Windows, and drivers of your system to the latest builds may solve the problem.
Solution 2: Edit the Ease of Access Settings
The mouse pointer may show the current behavior if it is configured to behave in this way in the Ease of Access Settings of your system. In this context, editing the relevant Ease of Access settings may solve the problem. If, at step3, the said option is already disabled, then checkmark it and click on the Apply button (do not click on the OK button or close the window). Wait for a minute and then uncheck the option. Then apply your changes and check if the hovering issue is resolved. If this doesn’t work, then enable the Hovering Over option again and reboot your PC. Upon reboot, check if the issue is resolved; if not, disable the Hovering Over option and check if the issue is resolved.
Solution 3: Disable ‘Scroll Inactive Windows When I Hover Over Them’
The mouse auto-selecting issue may arise if the setting of Scroll Inactive Windows When I Hover Over Them is enabled. In this case, disabling the said option may solve the problem. If the issue persists, then check if changing the Cursor Pointer (Settings» Ease of Access» Mouse Pointer) solves the problem.
Solution 4: Edit Visual Effects in the Advanced System Settings
The auto-selecting issue could be a result of a system bug and the bug can be cleared by editing the Visual Effects in the Advanced System Settings (a solution reported by the users).
Solution 5: Set the File Explorer to Use Double-Click to Open an Item
You may encounter the hovering issue due to different File Explorer configurations (for example Single Click to Open Item). In this case, editing the relevant File Explorer Options may solve the problem. If the issue is resolved but you want to use the single-click option, then navigate to the View tab of the File Explorer Options and enable Use Check Boxes to Select Items.
Solution 6: Remove the Conflicting Applications
The mouse pointer may show the auto-selecting behavior if another application on your system is hindering/controlling (like Ultranav utility) the operation of the mouse. In this context, removing the conflicting application (or editing its relevant settings) may solve the problem. You can find if a 3rd party application is causing the issue by ending the irrelevant tasks in the Task Manager of your system or booting your computer into the safe mode (or clean booting it). For illustration, we will discuss the process for the Logitech Setpoint application (reported by the users to create the issue). If you do not want to uninstall the problematic application, then check if you can disable the mouse hovering feature in the application’s settings. For example, launch the RSIGuard application and uncheck the AutoClick option to sort out the issue. If the setting is not working or applying, then make sure to update the utility that is causing the issue.
Solution 7: Reinstall the Touchpad/Mouse Driver
The auto-selecting behavior by the mouse may be triggered by a corrupt installation of the mouse/touchpad driver. In this case, reinstalling the mouse/touchpad driver may solve the problem. If you are using a touchpad, then make sure to keep a mouse nearby (as you may need it). If the issue persists, then check if using an older touchpad/mouse driver sorts out the hovering issue.
Solution 8: Edit the Touchpad Settings (Laptop Users Only)
The mouse may show auto-selecting behavior if the touchpad of your system is hindering the operation of the system’s mouse. In this case, making the relevant changes to the touchpad settings may solve the problem. Launch the touchpad application (e.g., Dell Touchpad) or use the Touchpad in Devices of Windows Settings (if applicable). Then make the following changes (one by one) to check if the issue is resolved but keep in mind these options may vary from user to user.
Solution 9: Edit the Registry of Your System
If none of the solutions has worked for you, then you may edit the system’s registry to solve the problem. Warning: Proceed with care as editing the system’s registry requires a certain level of skill and if not done accurately, you may cause everlasting damage to your PC/data. Before moving further, make sure to create a backup of your system’s registry.
Set the Value of MouseHoverHeight and MouseHoverWidth to 0
But this may disable thumbnail previews on the system’s taskbar.
Disable ForegroundLockTimeout
Keep in mind that whenever you want to revert the above setting to default, set the value of ForegroundLockTimeout to 200000.
Set the HoverSelectDesktops Value to 0
If the issue persists, then you may try another mouse with the system ( from a different manufacturer).
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