Windows 7 - Using single-click, hovering over icons does not select them

paul1149 · 08-30-2010

I'm not sure what's going on here, but suddenly hovering over a desktop icon, or an item in Explorer, does not Select that item. I use single clicking, so there is no other direct way to select something without activating it except to hover. Would someone using single clicking confirm that once the desktop has focus, hovering selects icons?

Thanks.

Jacee · 08-30-2010

I use single click and yes, if I hover over an icon or file, I get a hand with finger to open the item.

paul1149 · 08-30-2010

Ok, thanks very much. That's exactly what I get - the hand, but the icon is not Selected. I know that's not the way it worked on XP, but I'm not sure of Windows 7.

Brink · 08-31-2010

Hello Paul,

I use single click and get the same thing as Jacee for icons on the desktop unless I click on the desktop to make it the focus. If the desktop is in focus, then it will select the icon when I hover over it after a second. This applies to items in Windows Explorer as well.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

paul1149 · 08-31-2010

Thanks, Brink. That does help enormously. That is exactly the behavior I'm used to in XP, and that I'm certain Windows 7 did up to a couple of days ago. Now, it fails to Select after that second, which is a pain for many operations, such as Renaming.

I tried jogging the single-click setting, and I just tried jogging "hover activation" in CP/access, to no avail, and I have no further idea what to do. It's one of those small things that is a nuisance.

Be well,
p.

Brink · 08-31-2010

Since it was only started a few days ago, you might see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before this problem started.

paul1149 · 08-31-2010

Brink - bless you! I hadn't thought of that. I had to reach all the way back to a week ago, to my oldest restore point, for the Select to be restored, but it worked.

I learned something, too. When setting up a new system, or making a lot of changes, make sure the restore points are set to go deep.

Thanks for sharing your perspective on this. Problem solved. Now I need to go catch up the system.

p.

Brink · 08-31-2010

You're most welcome Paul. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

Windows 7 - Using single-click, hovering over icons does not select them

Using single-click, hovering over icons does not select them problems?