General Questions
What is Mouse Shortcuts?
Mouse Shortcuts is a free Windows desktop application that maps your most commonly used keyboard shortcuts to mouse gestures and clicks. Instead of reaching for the keyboard to copy (Ctrl+C), paste (Ctrl+V), select all (Ctrl+A), take a screenshot, or navigate browser tabs, you can do all of these actions directly from your mouse using simple gestures like double-clicks, triple-clicks, and button combinations.
Who is Mouse Shortcuts for?
Mouse Shortcuts is designed for anyone who spends significant time on a Windows PC and frequently uses copy-paste workflows. It is especially useful for:
- Students who work with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) and constantly copy-paste text between applications.
- Writers and content creators who move text between documents, notes, and publishing tools.
- Developers who copy code snippets between files, terminals, and documentation.
- Office workers who transfer data between spreadsheets, emails, and reports throughout the day.
- Anyone who wants to use their PC faster without memorizing keyboard shortcuts.
Is Mouse Shortcuts free?
Yes, Mouse Shortcuts is completely free to download and use. There is no paid tier, no subscription, no trial period, and no feature limitations. The app is supported by advertising on this website and planned affiliate partnerships within the app. You will never be asked to pay to use Mouse Shortcuts.
What versions of Windows does it support?
Mouse Shortcuts works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is a desktop-only application — there is no Mac version currently available, though a macOS version is planned for the future.
Installation and Setup
How do I install Mouse Shortcuts?
Visit the download section on the home page and click the download button. This downloads the installer (.exe file). Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Once installed, Mouse Shortcuts will start automatically and appear in your system tray (the small icon area near the clock in your taskbar).
Do I need to create an account?
Yes, Mouse Shortcuts requires a free account to use. You can sign up using Google OAuth or email through Supabase authentication. The account is used for basic user management and does not collect any data about your shortcuts, mouse movements, keystrokes, or clipboard contents.
Chrome says the download is dangerous. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal and not a cause for concern. Google Chrome shows a security warning for any new application that has not yet built a large download reputation, regardless of whether the app is safe. Mouse Shortcuts is code signed with an Extended Validation (EV) certificate, which means a Certificate Authority has verified the publisher's identity. To proceed with the download, click "Keep" or "Download anyway" when Chrome shows the warning.
Does Mouse Shortcuts require an internet connection?
No. Once installed, all mouse gesture shortcuts work completely offline. The core functionality — copy, paste, select all, screenshot, clipboard, browser back, and tab management — does not require any internet connection. An internet connection is only needed for the initial account sign-up and for the app to fetch affiliate marketing content (which is displayed in a non-intrusive panel within the app).
Safety and Security
Is Mouse Shortcuts safe to install?
Yes. Mouse Shortcuts is code signed with a legitimate Extended Validation (EV) certificate, which is the highest level of software publisher verification available. This means a Certificate Authority has verified the identity of the developer and the integrity of the software. The app does not collect keystrokes, mouse movements, clipboard contents, screen data, or shortcut configurations. Your shortcut data is stored entirely locally on your machine.
Why might antivirus software flag the app?
Mouse Shortcuts uses an AutoHotkey-powered helper process that operates at the operating system's input-hook level to detect mouse gestures. Some antivirus programs flag any software that uses input hooks as potentially suspicious, because the same technique can theoretically be used by malicious software. This is a false positive — Mouse Shortcuts is not malware. If your antivirus flags the app, you can safely whitelist it. The app's code signing certificate confirms it has not been tampered with since it was published.
What data does Mouse Shortcuts collect?
Mouse Shortcuts collects only the minimum data required to maintain your account: your name and email address (provided during sign-up via Google OAuth or Supabase). The app does not collect:
- Keystroke data
- Mouse movement patterns
- Clipboard contents
- Screen captures or screen data
- Shortcut configurations (stored locally)
- Browsing history or activity
For full details, see our Privacy Policy.
How the App Works
Does Mouse Shortcuts interfere with normal mouse behavior?
No. The AutoHotkey scripts that power Mouse Shortcuts are specifically designed to distinguish between normal mouse actions and the deliberate gestures that trigger shortcuts. For example, a normal double-click (like opening a file in File Explorer) continues to work exactly as expected. The app detects the specific timing, button combination, and context of each gesture to avoid conflicts with standard Windows mouse behavior. You can use your mouse normally for everything — the shortcut gestures only activate when you perform the specific, deliberate actions.
Can I customize which gestures trigger which shortcuts?
The current version of Mouse Shortcuts ships with a fixed set of gesture-to-shortcut mappings that cover the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts (copy, paste, select all, screenshot, clipboard, browser back, and tab management). Custom gesture mapping is not available in this version, but it is being considered for future updates based on user feedback.
Does Mouse Shortcuts work in all applications?
Mouse Shortcuts works in virtually all standard Windows applications — browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), text editors, word processors, email clients, chat applications, file managers, and more. Because it operates at the OS input-hook level, the gestures work system-wide, not just in specific apps. However, some specialized software with custom input handling may behave differently.
Does Mouse Shortcuts use a lot of system resources?
No. Mouse Shortcuts is designed to be lightweight. The app runs quietly in the system tray and uses minimal CPU and memory. You will not notice any performance impact during normal use, even on older hardware.
Uninstallation
How do I uninstall Mouse Shortcuts?
Mouse Shortcuts is uninstalled the same way as any other Windows application:
- Open Windows Settings (Win+I).
- Go to Apps → Installed apps (or "Apps & features" on Windows 10).
- Find Mouse Shortcuts in the list.
- Click the three-dot menu (or "Uninstall" button) and confirm.
The uninstaller will remove the app and all associated files from your system. If you also want to delete your account and associated data, you can do so via the app's Settings before uninstalling, or by contacting mouseshortcuts@gmail.com after uninstalling. Account data is removed within 30 days of a deletion request.
Still Have Questions?
If your question is not answered here, reach out to us at mouseshortcuts@gmail.com or visit the Contact page for more details on how to get in touch. We typically respond within 1 to 7 business days.