Point-N-Click virtual mouse 

Point-N-Click is a FREE stand-alone on-screen virtual mouse designed for anyone with a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to click a physical computer mouse. As long as they can move a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, they can send mouse clicks to virtually any Windows application or DOS application that can run within a window and even many that are full screen.

Do you only need a little help?  Maybe you just have difficulty double clicking or switching to right clicking?  Try ClickAid mouse helper designed for anyone who has difficulty switching between mouse buttons or double clicking on a physical computer mouse. It will work with all mouse systems including head mice, tablet PCs, and touch screen devices.

Point-N-Click also acts as a companion product to Lake Software’s Click-N-Type.  It uses AutoMouse a feature similar to AutoClick for those who find clicking the mouse button difficult or impossible. 

Point-N-Click was designed with ease of use foremost in mind. Yes, it's FREE. No charge and no strings attached. 

The combination of Point-N-Click and Click-N-Type or other virtual keyboard will give the user complete freedom to use a computer. Accessing features like starting and closing programs, context menus and browser "Address:" fields, Email "To:" addresses, Email "Subject:" fields, dialog boxes like "Open" and "Save As...", and many other problematic applications. The user will even be able to play many games even if they run in full screen mode.  The main window is icon based and does not require reading skills or language translation. Even a young child can use it.

Point-N-Click is a 32 bit Windows^® application and runs on the following operating systems: Windows^® 95/98/NT4.x/Me/2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7.

Please contact us at Polital Enterprises (Point-N-Click@polital.com) with your comments or questions.  We are interested in what you have to say.

Notice, the buttons are big so you can hit them.  Of course, when not in use Point-N-Click can be hidden so it's out of your way but ready to pop up with the sweep of the mouse pointer.   The form is user configurable so that if you don't need a function you don't have to see the button.  Don't like the size?  Just resize it to what YOU need.  [Download latest version NOW!]

Version 2.6.7

Fixes hiding to icon on Windows 7

Fixes Exit Delay not being used

New Feature:  Full Vista support and Windows 7

Known Issues:

Currently Point-N-Click is unable to send keys to programs that have been started by the User Account Control.  There are several work-arounds for this problem.  You may use any of them:

• Close Point-N-Click and restart it by Right-Clicking its shortcut and choosing "Run as administrator."
• Or -
• Set Point-N-Click to always run as an administrator.  Caution: This will prevent it from being able to Run at Startup. - Right-Click the Point-N-Click shortcut.  Then choose "Properties".  Under the "Compatibility" tab, check "Run this program as an Administrator".
• Or -
• Disable User Account Control temporarily. - Use the Control Panel and Click "User Accounts and Family Safety".  Click "User Accounts" and select "Turn User Account Control on or off".  Uncheck "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer."  Click "Ok" and reboot.

Site Index

Why Point-N-Click:	Available Language Packs	Downloading and Installing Point-N-Click:
Removing Point-N-Click	New Features	License
Some Links to checkout	Can You Help?

Why Point-N-Click
The creator of Click-N-Type is a long time friend and when we were told about the program and why it was written  . . .

"A friend has a sister who is a quadriplegic with some very limited use of her right hand and wrist.  That was just about enough to operate a Trackball and click her way through Internet browser links.  When it came time to type anything in, she was stuck.  Well, I spent more than a week searching for "Virtual keyboards."  After all, someone had to have written one that suited her needs.  Sure -  There were free ones, Shareware ones of all prices, and some commercial "Buy it now, see if it works later" programs.  With the exception of one Hardware solution that came in at not much less than $1K, they all had one thing in common.  Under most situations, they just didn't work!  After investigating a little more about how Win32 really worked, I decided to just write the darned thing and stop wasting time.  I also found it appalling to see how many people were trying to Stick-It-To the disabled for a product that would cost little or nothing if it wasn't targeted to people who really needed it."

. . . We agreed to do some testing.  While testing Click-N-Type on various Windows Operating Systems and seeing the obvious value of the AutoClick feature we decided to follow a good example and carry the concept one step further creating an AutoMouse feature making the computer even more accessible to the disabled.  Why should a severely disabled person be limited to only one program that someone else has to open for them?  Point-N-Click was born.

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Available Language Packs

Translate Menus and Messages:
Although the unmodified Point-N-Click was designed for a decidedly English speaking user community, the ability to change the displayed text of Menus and Messages, makes its use in other languages possible.  Translating all the text displayed by Point-N-Click is beyond the capability of Polital Enterprises.  This task should also not be left for the end user, but rather delegated to a "Translator."  Once the Translator has completed their job, a single resource file may be placed in the Point-N-Click Install Folder, and Point-N-Click will "speak" the new language.  Translators should read and follow the Help file instructions to translate the Messages-English.txt template provided with Point-N-Click.

Hopefully the lack of a language pack for a particular language will not present serious problems for the user since the main user interface is icon based and only the configuration program text needs translation.  The average user should have little reason to run the configuration program after the initial getting started configuration of AutoClick, AutoMouse, and Mouse Sensitivity.

Download Instructions For Language Packs: After downloading the language pack run it. It will install the Messages.txt in your Point-N-Click directory.  That's all there is to it.

We encourage anyone using the Message Translation feature to donate the files they've worked on, so others may benefit from an edition of Point-N-Click that functions in their language.  Below you will find:

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Downloading and Installing Point-N-Click:
 

Download the PNCzip.exe installation file.

The PNCzip.exe download is now a self contained setup program created by Installer2Go.  This is the latest Point-N-Click Version.   We now use the Microsoft Windows Installer to keep the installation as small and robust as possible.  If you have a very old system that doesn't have the Windows Installer, it will be downloaded and installed for you before proceeding.

Just download the PNCzip.exe installation program, run it and follow the instructions.  After accepting the default installation steps, you will find Point-N-Click on your "Start | Programs" menu. 

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Removing Point-N-Click:

Follow the instructions below to smoothly remove Point-N-Click from your system.  Note:  If you are upgrading to a newer version of Point-N-Click, you MUST follow these instructions to remove it before reinstalling the new version on your system.  All your previous settings will be remembered when you reinstall.
 

• Run Point-N-Click if not already running.
• Select the configure button or run the Configure Point-N-Click program from the Point-N-Click menu on your "Start | Programs" menu.  Then click the File menu on the configuration program, followed by the Uninstall Point-N-Click... option.  The Uninstall Point-N-Click applet will pop up.
• This applet gives you total control over how you want to uninstall Point-N-Click.
  • If you intend to reinstall a newer version of Point-N-Click, just leave the box Checked.
  • If you want to get rid of Point-N-Click forever, Uncheck the box.
• Click the Remove Point-N-Click from my system button.
• When prompted again about completely removing Point-N-Click, Click the "Yes" button.

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New Features:

Note:  If you are upgrading to a newer version of Point-N-Click from version 2.3.x or older, you MUST remove the old version before installing the new version on your system.  All your previous settings will be remembered when you reinstall. When upgrading from newer versions of Point-N-Click it is not necessary to uninstall the old version first.

Point-N-Click version 2.6.7 

• Fixes hiding to icon on Windows 7
• Fixes Exit Delay not being used

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Point-N-Click version 2.5.6 

• Full Vista support has been added
• Currently Point-N-Click is unable to send keys to programs that have been started by the User Account Control.  There are several work-arounds for this problem.  You may use any of them:
  • Close Point-N-Click and restart it by Right-Clicking its shortcut and choosing "Run as administrator."
  • Or -
  • Set Point-N-Clickto always run as an administrator.  Caution: This will prevent it from being able to Run at Startup. - Right-Click the Point-N-Click shortcut.  Then choose "Properties".  Under the "Compatibility" tab, check "Run this program as an Administrator".
  • Or -
  • Disable User Account Control temporarily. - Use the Control Panel and Click "User Accounts and Family Safety".  Click "User Accounts" and select "Turn User Account Control on or off".  Uncheck "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer."  Click "Ok" and reboot.

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The following fixes and new features have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.5.4.  

• Point-N-Click can now hide without docking.  If hide is set without docking Point-N-Click will reduce to a small icon when not in use.  Just mouse over the icon to bring Point-N-Click back.  If you don't see the icon just mouse over the icon on the system tray to have Point-N-Click flash it's location.  This allows you to move Point-N-Click to a place near where you are working and reduces mouse movement needed between clicks.
• Some bugs related to hiding have been fixed.  

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The following fixes and new features have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.4.28.  

• Point-N-Click now allows a single row form.
• A bug using Initial Automouse Settings with a repeat option selected is fixed.
• My apologies but the Help file is not up to date.
• There is now a separate Dwell delay for the exit button..
• Keyboard shortcuts have been added for people using voice activated systems.
• Put back cancel not reset default click, In Resize restore to normal if maximized.
• Fixed Alt shortcut keys.
• Fixed a bug when starting first time the height/width were too small.

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The following fixes and new features have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.4.18.  

• Point-N-Click now works with extended desktops.
• Left click can be made the default instead of no click selected
• A macro can be selected to start automatically when Point-N-Click is executed.
• Any click event can be selected to start automatically when Point-N-Click is executed.
• The Shift/Alt/Ctrl keys sometimes cleared the Repeat keys and any selected click.
• It is now possible to set the Transparency of the Remote AutoMouse Buttons for Windows 2000, XP.

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The following fixes have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.4.11.  There are no new features in this version.

• The Repeat buttons were not cleared when selecting the dock/hide buttons.
• When macro hiding was enabled the macro wand was not checked properly and the form displayed in appropriately.
• Allow exit when in playback of macros.
• The cancel button wouldn't always work when in macro playback.
• Dwell selection of a macro didn't always work.
• Fixed problems with sizing of the Macro form. 

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The following fixes and new features have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.4.3

• The [X] close box has been removed from the title bar and a close button added to the form. This button can be removed from the form with the configuration program. When removed it will not be possible to accidentally close Point-N-Click. The exit button is always placed alone at the top of the form.
• Rewrite of the internals to hopefully eliminate occasional hanging problems.
• Point-N-Click will be more aggressive in placing itself on top of other programs. This should eliminate problems reported with Word 2000. This results in Point-N-Click hiding on top of the taskbar and not under it as in the past.
• A macro feature has been added to allow users to record and playback patterns of clicks.
• Point-N-Click is installed using InstallShield. Hopefully this will eliminate the install problems that some users have experienced.
• Fixed a problem with Point-N-Click unnecessarily  resizing to default after exiting configuration in version 2.4.2

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The following additions have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.3

• Available in only in Windows 2000 and XP the Point-N-Click form can be make semi-transparent so that you can see what is below it.
• Point-N-Click is now compiled in Visual Basic 6.

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The following fixes have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.2.19

• The Green and Blue color indexes on the Color Selection form were reversed.

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The following features have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.2.18

• For those users that truly don't like sound feedback.  The configuration program option menu now includes options to turn off the "thunk" and "click" sounds when an AutoMouse function is selected or occurs.
• The colors used for highlighting (yellow) an AutoMouse button and for indicating an active (red) button are now user configurable.
• The Exclude Programs has been added to allow users to specify programs that Point-N-Click is not to work with.

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The following fixes have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.1.14

• Point-N-Click would not put a shortcut on the desktop for XP.
• For those users that truly don't like sound feedback deleting or renaming the file done.wav will eliminate the sound when a mouse click is selected from the main window.  Similarly deleting or renaming the file start.wav will eliminate the sound when a mouse click is performed.

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The following fixes have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.1.13

• Point-N-Click would sometimes display improperly when the screen color depth was set to 256 colors.  The buttons would sometimes disappear when another program started or stopped.  The buttons would reappear if the mouse was moved over them.

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The following fixes and additions have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.1.12

• The Point-N-Click window can now switch to small images and resize smaller than in the past.  Several bugs in the resizing routines have also been fixed..

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The following fixes and additions have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.1.10

• The Point-N-Click is now resizable. The size of the Point-N-Click form is no longer fixed and can be changed, within limits, by manually clicking and dragging the edges of the form. If the form size is decreased manually it can be only decreased to three quarters of the original width and height. This limit is imposed because the icons on the form will become too small to be recognized if they are made smaller. The form can be increased in size to twice it’s initial size. To resize the form move the cursor to one edge of the form and when the cursor changes to a double arrow left click and drag the form edge to the size desired. To restore the form to it’s initial size, select the Configuration Program button (wrench icon) then Selections | Select AutoMouse Functions... Clicking the OK button will restore the form size. The Configuration program must be run from the wrench icon and not the Start Menu for this to work.
• The repeating tone audio feedback for Remote AutoMouse areas is now always on.  (Sorry I made a poor design choice which is now fixed.)

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The following fixes and additions have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.1

• A Break Timer for people with repetitive stress injuries. They need a timer that tells them when they should stop working and rest and when they can start working again. The Break Timer is normally minimized on the system tray and can be looked at and restarted by clicking on the icon (a mouse with a clock on top on the system tray) The program can be run and stopped from an alarm clock button on the Point-N-Click form. It can also be run independently from the Start menu. The configuration program is used to set the timer intervals. Doing a mouse-over of the icon shows the number of full minutes the timer has to run. When the form is visible clicking on the large "alarm" button will stop the clock and reset the timers.
• Point-N-Click no longer appears on the TaskBar. It has an icon on the system tray instead. Clicking on the icon will turn off Hide.
• To allow people to use Point-N-Click with full screen programs Remote AutoMouse areas have been added. These are target areas that you can place anywhere on the screen. When you hover over that area the specified Point-N-Click button is activated. The Remote AutoMouse areas have a show mode so that users can see them if they wish when not in a full screen program. There is a button on the Point-N-Click form that looks like a mouse with a target over it for turning on and off Remote AutoMouse areas. The configuration program handles deciding where the Remote AutoMouse areas are located and their size.  The target areas can also be moved from the Point-N-Click form using the Move button.  Just select Move then select the Remote AutoMouse area you wish to move and finally position the cursor where you want to place the target area.  These moves are only temporary.  To restore the original position jut turn Remote AutoMouse off and on.

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The following fixes and additions have been added to Point-N-Click version 2.  

• The term AutoClick has been replaced by AutoSelect.  User comments indicated that the term AutoClick was confusing.  AutoSelect refers to choosing a mouse click function.  AutoMouse Click refers to the actual performing of the mouse click function.
• Middle click, Middle Double Click, Middle Click and Drag have been added.
• Right Double Click has been added.
• Fast Repeat With No Move has been added.
• The Alt function has been added.
• The Sensitivity test was returning values that were too large.  When switching to version 2, Point-N-Click will attempt to fix the value automatically but it is strongly recommended that the user re-run the Sensitivity test.
• Problems were reported with the AutoMouse Delay test.  Sometimes it would refuse to start.
• Improvements have been made to the instructions of the Sensitivity, and AutoMouse Delay tests.
• Optional Audio and Visual Feedback have been added.  The feedback sound and/or cursor appear when the mouse pointer is hovering before performing an AutoMouse Click.
• The Point-N-Click form is now user configurable.  Functions can be removed and restored from the form dynamically.

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Disability Resource Directory - Disability Resource Guide to the Internet

Pink Flamingo's URL Lists - Accessibility Resources

Closing The Gap - Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation

Families of SMA - Families of Spinal Muscula Atrophy on-line information and resource center

ABLEDATA - Database of Assistive Technology

The CTS  Place - Site devoted to people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Trace Research and Development Center - Designing a More Usable World for All

SpeechTx.com - Speech-Language Pathologists

March-Of-Faces - Site devoted to people with ALS and their caregivers.

TetraMouse - Low-cost, no-hands, precision, full function mouth (lips or tongue operated) mouse.

Understanding  assistive needs of students - a collection of classroom technologies for varying abilities and needs.

Below are some of the Independent Reviews and Ratings along with some other Shareware and Freeware sites who have listed us.  You may want to check them out:

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