Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse For Mac

• Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse For Mac Desktop
• Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse Review
• Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse Driver For Mac

Mar 22, 2016 Hi, I'm a longtime Mac user, but just got the Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic key board and am trying to assess whether or not it's workable for me. I'm struggling a bit with the re-mapping process. I think I've successfully done it such that the ctrl c and ctrl v again functions like copy/paste as it does on a Mac keyboard. Overall the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Desktop is a decent mouse and keyboard combo, that does the job well, is solidly built and has a few nice features, but plays it a bit too safe. Online shopping from a great selection at Electronics Store. The ultimate Windows Comfort Mouse The blue, customizable Windows touch tab on Sculpt Comfort Mouse revolutionizes the relationship between hardware and software, providing quick and easy access to the Start Menu, Cortana (availability may vary), OneNote, Task View or virtual desktops. Sculpt Comfort Mouse features Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily pair your device with your PC or tablet and not worry about using cords or transceivers. As well, its BlueTrack technology works on virtually any surface. The right-handed thumb scoop design and tilt wheel allow you to quickly and comfortably scroll left, right, up and down.

tl;dr: Everything works properly, except the Windows Button. But you can remap it to Mouse Button 4 using KeyRemap4MacBook.

I just got a new mouse: Microsoft Sculpt Mobile Mouse. And because I only use Mac OS X, I didn't expect that all the features are available on OS X. The reason I choose Microsoft's mouse over Logitech's is because that many people reported that horizontal scrolling, or 'spin', is not working at all on OS X.

Here is the test result for those who want to get one but don't know whether it works on your Mac.

Horizontal Scrolling (Tilt Button)

Works out-of-the-box. But don't expect that it is as smooth as built-in Trackpad or the Magic Mouse.

Windows Button

Does not work properly. It is not recognized as Mouse button 4, but it can be remapped by KeyRemap4MacBook.

Interestingly, if you use an app that can inspect keyboard inputs, the Windows button actually sends Command key to OS X, which is equivalent to Windows key on Windows. That's why it is possible to open Start Menu on Windows 7 without any driver.

Here is the log when I record events in EventViewer of KeyRemap4MacBook. The operations are:

1. Click and hold Windows button - it is recognized as Command_R with Cmd flag.
2. Release Windows button - it is recognized as Command_R but no Cmd flag (key up?)
3. Click and hold Windows button and press i on the keyboard - it sends Cmd+i

And it actually works like a Command key: if you select a Finder item and try step 3, it will open 'Info' window, just like pressing Cmd+i on keyboard.

Disabling the Windows Button

If you don't want it work anymore, you can disable that button in Keyboard system preferences. The downside is that, if you have a Microsoft keyboard connecting to that receiver, then your Windows key on that keyboard will be disabled too. (I don't have one so I don't care about that)

Remapping the Windows Button

Because the Windows button simply sends Command_R, to remap that button without affecting the actual Right Command from keyboard, the remapping must be assigned solely to the mouse. Fortunately it is possible to do this with KeyRemap4MacBook. After read the document of private.xml I figured out how to remap the Windows button to Mouse button 4:

Now you can assign Mouse Button 4 to whatever you want! (for example, Exposé)

Again, if you've also connected a Microsoft keyboard with the same receiver, your right Command will be overridden to Mouse Button 4.

IntelliPoint (The Driver)

I downloaded 8.2.0 (v305) from Microsoft's website. Unfortunately the mouse is not recognized by IntelliPoint, and I cannot map any button to whatever I want.

BTW I tried Windows version too, and it is also not possible to remap the Windows button.

Note: it seems that there is a bug in IntelliPoint for Mac: the remapping is not activated immediately after boot, until Microsoft Mouse system preferences is opened. There is a workaround for that.

Conclusion

Since there is a way to use Windows button on OS X, I'll use it.

Update note: Unfortunately, Karabiner does not work well with MAC OSX Sierra or High Sierra. They are working on Karabiner-Elements which has been released, but does not support this button. See below for a sort-of workaround.

My trusty Microsoft Blue Wheel Mouse started playing up recently and a friend suggested I go for the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic mouse:

Cute lil fella, ain't it?

I read a bunch of reviews and people DO love it, however there was some concern about it working with Apple's Mac OSX operating system. (I have El Capitan).

I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. I could always return it for a refund if I had issues.

After plugging it into my MacBook Pro, it seemed everything worked fine (including the tilt scrollwheel functionality) except for the blue Windows button on top.

A bit of researching showed it can work nicely with the Karabiner software for OSX, but you need to edit the private.xml file. (There's tutorials on how to do that. I won't go into it here).

The main thing to know is what to add to the file to activate this button. My requirement was for it to work as a FORWARDS button, particularly in a browser as that's my main use for it. Below is my code for private.xml:

BTW I tried Windows version too, and it is also not possible to remap the Windows button.

Note: it seems that there is a bug in IntelliPoint for Mac: the remapping is not activated immediately after boot, until Microsoft Mouse system preferences is opened. There is a workaround for that.

Conclusion

Since there is a way to use Windows button on OS X, I'll use it.

Update note: Unfortunately, Karabiner does not work well with MAC OSX Sierra or High Sierra. They are working on Karabiner-Elements which has been released, but does not support this button. See below for a sort-of workaround.

My trusty Microsoft Blue Wheel Mouse started playing up recently and a friend suggested I go for the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic mouse:

Cute lil fella, ain't it?

I read a bunch of reviews and people DO love it, however there was some concern about it working with Apple's Mac OSX operating system. (I have El Capitan).

I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. I could always return it for a refund if I had issues.

After plugging it into my MacBook Pro, it seemed everything worked fine (including the tilt scrollwheel functionality) except for the blue Windows button on top.

A bit of researching showed it can work nicely with the Karabiner software for OSX, but you need to edit the private.xml file. (There's tutorials on how to do that. I won't go into it here).

The main thing to know is what to add to the file to activate this button. My requirement was for it to work as a FORWARDS button, particularly in a browser as that's my main use for it. Below is my code for private.xml:

Don't forget to enable it by clicking the new checkbox once you restart Karabiner:

Unfortunately, Karabiner and Karabiner-Elements don't support the Windows key. The best I could come up with as a replacement is using the TILT on the Scroll-wheel to go Forwards/Backwards. This can be configured with the help of USB Overdrive.

Download and install USB Overdrive. and throw a few bucks to the developer for this awesome application, if you wish. Use the following settings to make your Scroll-wheel Tilt work :

Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse For Mac Desktop

Tilt Left

Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse Review

The left button on the mouse will work to go backwards. You just need the above for going forwards (and backwards if you wish) with tilting the scroll-wheel left/right.

Microsoft Sculpt Comfort Mouse Driver For Mac