Ultimate guide to mousing your way across multiple Windows 10 desktops with ease for an instant productivity boost

Posted by Paul Braren on Jan 16 2016 (updated on Feb 4 2016) in
  • Windows
  • Productivity
  • HowTo
  • Train your Logitech mouse to do new tricks!

    Logitech SetPoint can allow mouse button controls instead of awkward multi-key shortcuts, for instantly navigating among multiple desktops

    See how to use this almost hidden but very useful Windows 10 productivity feature at Microsoft at:
    Multiple desktops in Windows 10
    Windows 10 Tip: Use Multiple Desktops

    To navigate across multiple desktops, also known as virtual desktops, you can use the keyboard shortcuts keystroke combinations: Ctrl+Win+Left/Right arrow keys. But even better would be from the mouse. Imagine a super-easy, single button press (or mouse wheel tilt) to move to another desktop at will, instantly.

    The thing is, Setpoint 6.67.83 doesn't allow you to teach your Logitech mouse any keystroke combinations that include the Windows key. This article is about the workaround.

    PRO TIP:
    Did you know this mouse can work with one battery? If you like a lighter feel, either battery can be removed. This will halve your battery life, but won't affect your wireless range or operation in any way, because the batteries are wired in parallel, not series. Thus, the voltage is unchanged when you remove one.

    B00DR8LB4Q
    Logitech Wireless Marathon Mouse M705 mouse at Amazon for smooth browser scrolling. The button near the LED allows you to toggle easily between smooth scroll modes: either the wheel spins until you stop it, or ratchets in line-by-line mode like other mice. Estimated 3+ year life with the two included AA alkaline batteries is actually realistic. For a lighter mouse, runs fine with either of the two [parallel circuit] batteries removed, halving battery life, not range.

    Prerequisites

    • An experienced Windows User with intermediate PC troubleshooting skills
    • Windows 10 (any version)
    • Logitech Mouse (I tested with model M705)
    • Logitech SetPoint Version 6.x (I tested with 6.67.83)

    If a new version of Logitech SetPoint gets released, it's possible you won't need these instructions any more. Hopefully a new release will include the capability to learn desktop navigation combo shortcut keystrokes that include the Windows key. For now, we have this article, a workaround that's done by simply altering a few lines of the mouse preferences file called user.xml. No messing around in the Windows registry required.

    Short Instructions - Experts Only

    If you already know this SetPoint thing, here to configure another PC in seconds, just:
    a) exit SetPoint
    b) make a backup copy of your user.xml file that's in this Windows 10 directory:

    C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint

    c) right click and "Save link as.." on the user.xml file you want to use:
    Mapping 1 user.xml
    Mapping 2 user.xml
    and download it to that same directory
    d) start SetPoint by pressing Win+R and typing "setpoint" then hit Enter

    Brief overview showing easy navigation across multiple desktops. Also known as virtual desktops, which required 3rd party software. Today, multiple desktop abilities are baked right into all Windows 10 versions. [29 seconds, no sound.]
    Task-View-Brings-Up-Multiple-Desktops
    Get started with multiple desktops by clicking on the Task View icon in your taskbar.

    Table of Contents

    To jump past this explanation section, right to one of the two mouse button layout change procedures down below, use these links:

    Mouse wheel/button Mappings #1:

    Mouse wheel/button Mappings #2:

    I personally recommended the first layout that one of my sons recommended I try, as seen in the video above. He's a PC and a Mac user, and has used multiple desktops for years on OS X where he trained his Razer Orochi mouse to swiftly move among them. Figured I'd give it a go with my mouse on my Windows 10 PC. Glad I did. This is a big step forward to me, given how much I do with so many windows open on any given day. Moving to a single-button-click to change among my desktops at will is something you have to try for yourself for a few days to really know how it all feels. Pairing single click easy movement between multiple desktops with the silky smooth variable speed web page scrolling you get with the Logitech Smooth Scrolling extension, and you have all the fixings of a more productive workstation environment, at little cost.

    For more information on Logitech Mice and mouse pads, see also:

    Mouse Mapping Diagrams

    TinkerTry-drawing-of-m705-mouse-mappings1
    Mappings #1 seen above.
    TinkerTry-drawing-of-m705-mouse-mappings2
    Mappings #2 seen above.

    Explanation

    Yes, the Logitech M705 mouse is supported under Windows 10, as are many other Logitech mice. But unlike it's relative, the Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse, you can't train this animal to do those multiple desktop navigation tricks that Logitech boasts about here:

    Who doesn't feel the need for more monitors. Using the new Windows 10 multiple desktops feature that's built-in helps you feel like you have more elbow room to work, by giving you more easy to access space to work with. Whether you have one or more physical monitors, it's beneficial to have separate desktops for your stuff.

    But wow, it sure is clumsy to use those crazy Ctrl+Win+Left/Right arrow keyboard shortcuts, just to do the basic navigation between them. What if I could do these switches with my mouse?

    TaskView2560x1440
    Windows 10 Task View [Win+Tab], at 2560x1440 resolution.

    What was holding us back is that the current Logitech SetPoint 6.67.83 can't be convinced to learn keystrokes that include the Windows key (aka WINKEY). If you press the Windows key when focus is on the Keystroke box, it just won't learn this new trick. Instead, your Windows Start menu comes up. Oops. Too bad, because Button 8 (that left thumb button, down low) already does a great job of bringing up Task View (Win+TAB), which is a bit like OS X/Yosemite's Mission Control for the multiple spaces overview.

    Read more about how many keyboard shortcuts there are at Microsoft and in Paul Thurrott's Windows 10 Tip: Use Multiple Desktops.

    I use a legacy Windows 7 VM over RDP a lot during the workday. With multiple monitors, and Windows 10 on my primary workstation since summer of 2015, I've always thought it'd sure be great to be able to instantly toggle between these OSs at will, with a single click. Each space in it's own world, with all its windows staying right where I left them, typically spread across the two monitors.

    If you regularly toggle among multiple VMs or RDP sessions throughout your workday, wouldn't it be great to mouse click to bring up those sessions, instantly? Just follow these mouse button/wheel re-mapping instructions, set up a VP or RDP session in each of your multiple desktops, making sure and you're in business. Getting work done faster.

    Pro Tip #1 - Remote Desktop Connection

    If an RDP session is using one of your desktops in fullscreen mode, you will need to be sure that session's configuration is set so the "Local Resources" tab has the "Keyboard" "Apply Windows key combinations" set to "On this computer."

    Pro Tip #2 - Button 3 and the Zoom function

    I'm not a fan of pushing the wheel in, sometimes invoke accidentally zooming. I tend to re-assign it, Select Function / Other / Select Task / Do Nothing.

    Now that I got this all working, I don't have to wait to see if Logitech updates Setpoint again for full Windows 10 support. Here's what Logitech Support had to say, back on July 17 2015, before their Sept 8 2015 6.67.83 release that supports Windows 10, but still did not resolve the shortcoming:

    Hi AndyCalling,

    Our product specialists are currently in the process to start and finish a Windows 10 compatibility project and not restricted to any product line, however, we do not have any update yet on its release date.

    I suggest you subscribe to the Newsletter and check the Logitech Blog and Press Center to get updates on the new product and software release.

    Please feel free to post back for other concerns.

    Logi_Greiz
    Support Specialist

    In that thread, I came up with the below procedure by following along with the advice of MyGoMyGo and oliver253, taking notes on the steps as I was trying to make it easier for me to do this tweak on other systems in the family I'll be configuring the same way. I have a bunch of these same comfortable/affordable/widely available M705 mice since, June 2014, when I wrote:


    MAPPING 1

    • Wheel for Browser Navigation
      Smooth Scroll Up/Down, Tilt Right Forward, Tilt Left Back

    • Left Side Buttons for Navigating Multiple Desktops
      Left-side front button for Next Desktop
      Left-side rear button for Previous Desktop
      Left-side bottom button left as-is, brings up Task View (All Desktops)

    MAPPING 1 - Easy Implementation Method

    If you haven't done any customizations in SetPoint, then you might not mind simply downloading my XML file for use on your system. Understand that I can offer you no free support, and Logitech Support might not be able to help you either, so it's your responsibility to be sure you keep a backup copy of your original user.xml file, just in case.

    1. Exit Logitech SetPoint

      right-click-system-tray-setpoint-icon-choose-exit
      In your Windows 10 system tray, right-click on the SetPoint icon, choose Exit.
    2. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to your SetPoint settings folder
      Here's the path for your SetPoint user.xml file:
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\user.xml
      So we'll need to get your Windows Explorer to that folder by copying the following line into your Windows clipboard

      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint
      RunDialogueSteps3and4
      Press Win+R, paste, hit Enter
    3. Make a backup copy of your existing user.xml file

      right-click-copy-step5
      Right-click on your existing user.xml file, select "Copy"
      right-click-paste-step-6
      Right-click on a blank area in the folder, select "Paste"
    4. Save the already-customized user.xml file into your SetPoint folder

      save-link-as-dialogue-with-border
      In your Browser, right-click on user.xml, choose "Save link as..." and navigate to save this file into your SetPoint settings folder, say yes to overwrite.
    5. Launch SetPoint
      Best-match-chosen-9-10
      Click the Windows icon at the bottom left, type "setpoint", and choose "Mouse and Keyboard Settings".

    You're done! Go ahead and test things out. If after a few hours or days some or all of the custom mappings to those buttons and/or the wheel seem to stop working, no need to reboot, just exit SetPoint and start it up again, that seems to do the trick.


    MAPPING 1 - Manual Implementation Method - manually edit user.xml

    For advanced PC users only. These instructions assume you have the skills, thus, no detailed screenshots.

    The basic idea is to reset SetPoint to defaults, then remap using the SetPoint UI to these settings
    Name="6" is Wheel tilt left
    Name="7" is Wheel tilt right
    Name="4" is Forward button Right Desktop
    Name="5" is Back button Left Desktop

    the way we get there is by leaving a breadcrumb of sorts, a Tab character to find (and replace) in our user.xml file.

    Here we go, step-by-step, done completely at your own risk, with no official support from me or Logitech:

    1. Right click on SetPoint in your system tray, choose exit
    2. Navigate to the user.xml folder by pressing Win+R, then paste in the following path sentence
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\
    3. Right-click on user.xml, choose Copy, then choose Paste, to be sure you have a backup, in case things don't work out, so you can then easily revert.
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\user.xml
    4. Launch SetPoint (Win+R, type setpoint)
    5. Train SetPoint buttons to the following new settings:
      (Button 4) "Forward" to "Keystroke Assignment (Tab)"
      (Button 5) "Back" to "Keystroke Assignment (Tab)"
      (Button 6) "Left Scroll" to "Back"
      (Button 7) "Right Scroll" to "Forward"
    6. Click Apply
    7. Click OK
    8. Exit SetPoint
    9. Here's the edits you'll need to now manually make to your user.xml file.

      FORWARD BUTTON NEXT DESKTOP TO THE RIGHT

      CTRL+F FOR

      <Button Number="5" Name="4">

      a few lines down, REPLACE

                       <Handler Class="KeystrokeAssignment">
                          <Param DisplayName="Tab" LParam="983041" Modifier="0" VirtualKey="9"/>

      WITH

                       <Handler Class="KeyStroke">
                          <Param KeyName="^*{RIGHT}"/>

      BACK BUTTON NEXT DESKTOP TO THE LEFT

      CTRL+F FOR

      <Button Number="4" Name="5">

      a few lines down, REPLACE

                       <Handler Class="KeystrokeAssignment">
                          <Param DisplayName="Tab" LParam="983041" Modifier="0" VirtualKey="9"/>

      WITH

                       <Handler Class="KeyStroke">
                          <Param KeyName="^*{LEFT}"/>

    10. Start SetPoint
    11. Test that everything works as expected.

    MAPPING 2

    • Wheel spin for Browser Scrolling
      Smooth scroll Up/Down

    • Wheel tilt for Navigating Multiple Desktops
      Tilt Left for Next Desktop to Left
      Tilt Right for Next Desktop to Right

    • Left side Front and Back buttons for Browser Navigation (Logitech Defaults)
      Front button for Forward
      Rear button for Back

    MAPPING 2 - Easy Implementation Method

    If you haven't done any customizations in SetPoint, then you might not mind simply downloading my XML file for use on your system. Understand that I can offer you no free support, and Logitech Support might not be able to help you either, so it's your responsibility to be sure you keep a backup copy of your original user.xml file, just in case.

    1. Exit Logitech SetPoint

      right-click-system-tray-setpoint-icon-choose-exit
      In your Windows 10 system tray, right-click on the SetPoint icon, choose Exit
    2. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to your SetPoint settings folder
      Here's the path for your SetPoint user.xml file:
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\user.xml
      So we'll need to get your Windows Explorer to that folder by copying the following line into your Windows clipboard, to paste into "Run" then press Enter

      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint
      RunDialogueSteps3and4
      Press Win+R, paste, press Enter
    3. Make a backup copy of your existing user.xml file

      right-click-copy-step5
      Right-click on your existing user.xml file, select "Copy"
      right-click-paste-step-6
      Right-click on a blank area in the folder, select "Paste"
    4. Save the already-customized user.xml file into your SetPoint folder

      save-link-as-dialogue-with-border
      In your Browser, right-click on user.xml, choose "Save link as..." and navigate to save this file into your SetPoint settings folder, say yes to overwrite.
    5. Launch SetPoint
      Best-match-chosen-9-10
      Click the Windows icon at the bottom left, type "setpoint", and choose "Mouse and Keyboard Settings".

    You're done! Go ahead and test things out. If after a few hours or days some or all of the custom mappings to those buttons and/or the wheel seem to stop working, no need to reboot, just exit SetPoint and start it up again, that seems to do the trick.


    MAPPING 2 - Manual Implementation Method - manually edit user.xml

    For advanced PC users only. These instructions assume you have the skills, thus, no detailed screenshots.

    The basic idea is to reset SetPoint to defaults, then remap using the SetPoint UI to these settings
    Name="6" is Forward button Right Desktop
    Name="7" is Back button Left Desktop
    Name="4" is left at defaults (browser forward)
    Name="5" is left at defaults (browser back)

    the way we get there is by leaving a breadcrumb of sorts, a Tab character to find (and replace) in our user.xml file.

    Here we go, step-by-step, done completely at your own risk, with no official support from me or Logitech:

    1. Right click on SetPoint in your system tray, choose exit
    2. Navigate to the user.xml folder by pressing Win+R, then paste in the following path sentence
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\
    3. Right-click on user.xml, choose Copy, then choose Paste, to be sure you have a backup, in case things don't work out, so you can then easily revert.
      C:\Users\%USERNAME%\appdata\Roaming\Logitech\SetPoint\user.xml
    4. Launch SetPoint (Win+R, type setpoint)
    5. Train SetPoint buttons to the following new settings:
      (6) "Left Scroll" to (6) Keystroke Assignment (Tab)
      (7) "Right Scroll" to (7) Keystroke Assignment (Tab)
    6. Click Apply
    7. Click OK
    8. Exit SetPoint
    9. Here's the edits

      LEFT TILT WHEEL NEXT DESKTOP TO THE LEFT

      CTRL+F FOR

      <Button Number="7" Name="6">

      REPLACE

                       <Handler Class="KeystrokeAssignment">
                          <Param DisplayName="Tab" LParam="983041" Modifier="0" VirtualKey="9"/>

      WITH

                       <Handler Class="KeyStroke">
                          <Param KeyName="^*{RIGHT}"/>

      RIGHT TILT WHEEL NEXT DESKTOP TO THE RIGHT

      CTRL+F FOR

      <Button Number="8" Name="7">

      REPLACE

                       <Handler Class="KeystrokeAssignment">
                          <Param DisplayName="Tab" LParam="983041" Modifier="0" VirtualKey="9"/>

      WITH

                       <Handler Class="KeyStroke">
                          <Param KeyName="^*{LEFT}"/>
    10. Start SetPoint
    11. Test that everything works as expected.

    Jan 25 2016

    1) Known Issue:
    I've noticed that the Ctrl+Win+Left/Right arrow keyboard shortcut works fine if Outlook 2016 is the current window. But I've also noticed that the mapped Logitech mouse buttons don't work when Outlook 2016 is the current window. This is a strange bug. Currently, the only known workaround is to give any other window focus, then use the mouse buttons, which then work fine again for moving across multiple desktops.

    2) Notice a new post I made in the Logitech forum

    3) Here's the list of mice that SetPoint supports, from the SetPoint download site:
    http://support.logitech.com/en_ch/software/setpoint
    (using the "Works with these products" button found there)

    Anywhere Mouse MX
    B100 Optical USB Mouse
    Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810
    Bluetooth Mouse M555b
    Bluetooth Mouse M557
    Comfort Keyboard K290
    Compact Keyboard K300
    Corded Keyboard K280e
    Corded Mouse M500
    Cordless Click! Plus Rechargeable Optical Mouse
    Cordless Click!™ Optical Mouse
    Cordless Desktop EX 100
    Cordless Desktop LX 300
    Cordless Desktop LX 501
    Cordless Desktop LX 700
    Cordless Desktop LX 710 Laser
    Cordless Desktop MX 3000 Laser
    Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser
    Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser
    Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution
    Cordless Desktop S 510
    Cordless Desktop S520
    Cordless Desktop Wave
    Cordless Desktop Wave Pro
    Cordless Desktop® Comfort Laser
    Cordless Desktop® MX™ 3100
    Cordless Mini Optical Mouse
    Cordless TrackMan Optical
    Cordless TrackMan Wheel
    Couch Mouse M515
    Deluxe Keyboard
    Desktop MK120
    Flower Mouse
    G5 Laser Mouse
    Illuminated Keyboard
    Illuminated Keyboard K740
    LS1 Laser Mouse
    LX5 Cordless Optical Mouse
    LX6 Cordless Optical Mouse
    LX7 Cordless Optical Mouse
    LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse
    Leopard Mouse
    Logitech Cube
    MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse
    MX 620 Cordless Laser Mouse
    MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse
    MX Revolution
    MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse
    MX1100R Rechargeable Cordless Laser Mouse for Business
    MX400 Performance Laser Mouse
    Marathon Mouse M705
    Marble Mouse
    Media Keyboard
    Media Keyboard
    Media Keyboard 600
    Media Keyboard Elite
    MediaPlay Cordless Mouse
    Mini Optical Mouse Plus
    Mouse M100
    Mouse M105
    Mouse M525-C
    Notebook Kit MK605
    Optical Mouse USB
    Other Trackballs Not Listed
    Performance Mouse MX
    Pilot Optical Mouse
    RX1000 Laser Mouse
    RX250 Mouse
    RX650 Cordless Optical Mouse
    Racer Mouse
    Spot Mouse
    Tiger Mouse
    Touch Lapdesk N600
    Touch Mouse M600
    Touch Mouse T620
    TrackMan Wheel
    Trackman Marble
    Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630
    V100 Optical Mouse for Notebooks
    V150 Laser Mouse for Notebooks
    V200 Cordless Notebook Mouse
    V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks
    V250 Cordless Mouse and Number Pad
    V270 Cordless Optical Mouse for Bluetooth
    V400 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks
    V450 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks
    V450 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
    V470 Cordless Laser Mouse for Bluetooth
    V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse
    V550 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
    VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
    VX Revolution™
    Wave Keyboard
    Wireless All-in-One Keyboard TK820
    Wireless Combo MK270
    Wireless Combo MK345
    Wireless Combo MK520
    Wireless Combo MK620
    Wireless Desktop MK700
    Wireless Desktop MK710
    Wireless Illuminated Keyboard K800
    Wireless Keyboard K230
    Wireless Keyboard K270
    Wireless Keyboard K340
    Wireless Keyboard K350
    Wireless Keyboard K360
    Wireless Mini Mouse M187
    Wireless Mouse M175
    Wireless Mouse M185
    Wireless Mouse M205
    Wireless Mouse M238
    Wireless Mouse M305
    Wireless Mouse M305
    Wireless Mouse M310
    Wireless Mouse M315
    Wireless Mouse M317
    Wireless Mouse M325
    Wireless Mouse M345
    Wireless Mouse M505
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Wireless Mouse M525
    Wireless Mouse M545
    Wireless Mouse M560
    Wireless Number Pad N305
    Wireless Performance Combo MX800
    Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650
    Wireless Solar Keyboard K750
    Wireless Touch Keyboard K400
    Wireless Touch Keyboard K400
    Wireless Touchpad
    Wireless Trackball M570
    Zebra Mouse
    Zone Touch Mouse T400
    diNovo Cordless Desktop for Notebooks
    diNovo Edge
    diNovo Keyboard for Notebooks
    diNovo Media Desktop
    diNovo Media Desktop 2.0
    diNovo Media Desktop Laser


    See also at TinkerTry

    Another demonstration, with buttons seen closer-up. [19 seconds, no sound.]

    See also

    Finding your mouse wheel is accidentally zooming in Chrome? Here's a workaround:

    Interested in some great feedback another fan has given Logitech?

    • Marathon Mouse m705 Refresh?

      by GeorgeParker6476
      Dear Logitech,

      It's great that you're always updating your more popular lineups of mice. Recently we saw an update to the Performance MX and Anywhere MX, as well as most of your gaming-grade mice. However, for many of us (including myself) who want a wireless productivity option, the Performance MX line is too big (palm-grip) and the Anywhere MX is too small (fingertip-grip). This begs the question - when will we see an update to some of your medium-sized claw-grip mice, specifically the Marathon m705? As I'm sure you're aware, the m705 has received critical acclaim for its ergonomics, topping several "best-of" wireless mice lists. I would personally agree that it is THE BEST shape for the average-sized hand, and the inclusion of the hyper-scroll wheel, long battery life, and additional buttons make it one of, if not the best, options for this market demographic. The popular m705 has been out for many years now, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that believes it is long overdue for a refresh. Things that I'm sure many would like to see in the update...