Is Instant Viewer only available for Microsoft mice?

Question

I need to replace my discontinued mouse. I'm looking at non-Microsoft brands (like Razer), but I think the lack of Instant Viewer might be a show-stopper for me.

Is this a Microsoft Mouse only feature?

I'm asking because I suspect it's actually a feature of Windows, that's invoked with some special key-combo signal.

I doubt that it's a feature of Windows. More like a software that is installed with the mouse driver. If it's actually a feature of Windows, wouldn't it make more sense to be able to use it on all mouses? or at lease on all Microsoft mouse.

chmod · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-11 06:43:36Z

up vote 5 down vote accepted

+50

Try Switcher http://insentient.net/

Free software that allows you to do what instant viewer can. You can also config which mouse button activate it.

Just found out that Instant Viewer is a software install with the mouse driver. Good news is you can use it with any mouse. Just install IntelliPoint and config it. Here's the download link

x64: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/confirmation.aspx?id=12772

x86: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=14229

You need version 7 not 8 for it to work. Download link updated

edited Mar 11 '12 at 6:43

answered Mar 8 '12 at 14:12

chmod
1,559217

That's neat. Will keep it in mind. – Louis Mar 8 '12 at 14:30

@chmod, were you able to get IntelliPoint to work with a non-Microsoft mouse? I just tried, but was unsuccessful. See my answer for more details. – iglvzx Mar 11 '12 at 5:33

Yup I just got it working. My mouse is basic logitech optical mouse – chmod Mar 11 '12 at 6:44

1

I also try with another logitech mouse but it didn't work, so I had to update the driver to microsoft driver and it works. Method of updating the driver is the same as iglvzx mentioned. – chmod Mar 11 '12 at 7:01

@chmod Dexpot seems to be actively maintained, as opposed to Switcher. I'm using it on a trial license now, and it's been great, even across multiple monitors. – prlawrence Aug 17 '12 at 18:12

iglvzx · Answer 2 · 2012-03-11 05:32:09Z

Instant Viewer is a feature of Microsoft's IntelliPoint mouse software drivers. If I remember correctly, it was possible to use non-supported hardware with IntelliPoint after a little bit of ingenuity. So, in the name of science, I decided to try the latest Intellipoint software with my generic HID-compliant USB mouse! ... Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in getting IntelliPoint to recognize my mouse, but I will detail my procedure below in the case that it does in fact work for some mice or with older versions of IntelliPoint.

Download and install Microsoft IntelliPoint.
Open the Microsoft Mouse settings from the Start menu.
Go to the Hardware tab and click Properties.
Click Change Settings.
Go to the Driver tab and click Update Driver...
Click Browse my computer for driver software
Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer
Uncheck Show compatible hardware, scroll down to Microsoft and select a model with (IntelliPoint).
Click Yes if you are warned about possible incompatibility.
After the driver is install, close the window.
Note: you may be prompted to restart the computer.