You do not have to switch to macOS just to enjoy the quality feel, precision and capabilities of the Apple magic mouse, especially the current rechargeable version. I have a dedicated Windows 11 computer for client work and, I like my accessories to all be the same so I set about making the Apple Magic mouse work. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of setting up and using the Magic Mouse fully on your Windows 11 PC. So, buy yourself an Apple Magic mouse 2 in Black or white cheaper than Apple, brand new from Amazon UK, and let's dive in!
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I wasn't a fan until I got one for my Mac - I've preferred cheap corded mice since my first expensive Microsoft Mouse that came with an InPort expansion card for my IBM PC XT in 1985! But even dinosaurs like me need to move on and Apples Magic Mouse is great to use.
Use an Apple Magic Mouse on Windows 11 with working scrolling
Getting Started
You will need a Windows 11 based computer with Bluetooth Capability, and an Apple Magic Mouse. Look for the later model which has a rechargeable battery and lightning connector and more colour options. You can find a genuine Apple Magic Mouse at Amazon. The latest versions include an Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable in the box which you'll need in order to recharge your mouse.
Checking System Requirements
Before embarking on your magical mouse journey, it's essential to ensure that your system meets the requirements for using the Magic Mouse on Windows 11. Here are the steps to check your system compatibility:
- To see if your PC is eligible to upgrade, you can download and run the Microsoft PC Health Check app, which will scan your system and inform you if it meets the necessary specifications or you can check if Windows 11 is available for your device by going to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.
- Magic Mouse connects to your Windows 11 PC wirelessly via Bluetooth. Therefore, it's crucial to verify that your computer has built-in Bluetooth capability. If your PC doesn't have it, you would need to purchase a bluetooth adapter such as the TP-Link Nano USB Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter for Multiple Devices, Long Range Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver for Win 11/10/8.1/7, Plug and Play (UB5A) to make the mouse connect. Make sure you choose one that supports Windows 11, and that has the USB connector you have on your computer.
Connecting the Magic Mouse
Assuming your system is ready, it's time to connect the Magic Mouse to your Windows 11 PC. Here's how you can do it:
- Enable Bluetooth on Windows 11: To establish a connection between the Magic Mouse and your PC, you first need to enable Bluetooth on Windows 11. Navigate to the Settings menu, click on "Bluetooth & devices," and ensure that Bluetooth is toggled on.
- Connect your Magic Magic Mouse, with your PC: In Bluetooth settings on your Windows 11 PC click on the "Add device" button. Windows will search for available devices, and when it detects the Magic Mouse, click on its name to initiate the pairing process. After a few moments, the connection will be established, you can click "Done" and you'll be ready to experience the magic of the Magic Mouse on Windows 11. If you cant find it in available devices you may need to connect it first to a Mac via a USB to Lightning cable, or a USB-C cable if its the very latest model and then 'Forget' the connection and then turn it off and on again.
- Thats it. Sort of. Your mouse works with the basic mouse driver in Windows 11. However, this doesn't allow you to scroll using the magic mouse. If you need to scroll you need to do more.
Installing the Apple Magic Mouse driver for Windows in Windows 11
Apple software engineers write Windows software. They have pretty much always done so. It must be fun being a Windows developer at Apple. I imagine they are a slightly unloved but passionate group of herberts. Anyway, there is a set of Windows drivers for Apple products and it is provided for BootCamp, which is a mechanism provided by Apple by which you can run Windows on an Intel based Mac computer. The BootCamp drivers provide support for scrolling with the Magic Mouse so it MUST be possible to get to work - but Apple only provide the drivers on installation of BootCamp on a supported Mac computer.
Fortunately, there is a utility called "Brigadier" which can fetch the BootCamp drivers for a given Mac computer and although venerable, it has had a recent (2022) release.
You can use it to get the drivers.
I have a last of the line Intel Mac Mini - the 2018 fourth generation Mac mini, which has Intel Coffee Lake processors, Bluetooth 5, four combination USB-C 3.1 ports that support Thunderbolt 3, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and HDMI 2. It supports BootCamp and Magic Mouse so that would seem a good latest BootCamp driver set to download from Apple.
- Download the Brigadier executable from GitHub to your Windows 11 PC. Run it with the model identifier for the Mac you wish to download the BootCamp drivers for. C:\>brigadier -m Macmini8,1 and watch as it does its work and downloads the BootCamp drivers to your PC.
- You'll find the mouse driver in a directory inside the BootCamp driver set for the 'Mac' you chose at BootCamp\Drivers\Apple\AppleWirelessMouse and if you right click on the 'inf' file you can choose 'Install'. You may need to restart Windows after that. Do so, and your Windows 11 PC will come back to life with proper Magic Mouse scrolling!
Troubleshooting
- If your Magic Mouse is not connecting to your Windows 11 PC, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. First, make sure that the mouse is turned on and in discovery mode. If it was paired already you might need to connect it to a Mac with a Lightning cable or a USB-C cable for the very latest model and 'Forget' the device before it becomes discoverable to Windows.
- If you're experiencing an unresponsive cursor with your Magic Mouse, after a few days use you probably need to replace the batteries (first generation) or plug in to a charger via the lightning port to charge up.
- Third-Party Apps exist to give you even more control over the Apple Magic Mouse. I haven't needed them but I am (as you can probably tell) a bit of a gesture luddite. Left Click, Right Click and scroll are pretty much all I want.
- If you have one Magic Mouse for Mac computers and another for Windows consider a White one for macOS and a Black one for the dark side of Windows 11. It quickly becomes automatic to reach for the right one on the same mousepad.
- Don't connect your Magic Mouse with a Lightning cable to a Mac or it will forget your pairing and connect to the mac instead. If this happens 'Forget it' Turn it off, Restart Windows and go through the pairing process again.
In conclusion, setting up and using the Magic Mouse on Windows 11 is a straightforward experience that brings Apple's Magic hardware to Windows. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can connect your Magic Mouse on your Windows 11 PC and enable scrolling. So go ahead, unleash the magic, and enjoy a truly enchanting computing experience!