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X-Mouse Button Control

User Guide
X-Mouse Button Control is a Windows application for remapping your mouse buttons. It is not a driver
for pointing devices, but rather works in conjunction with the installed drivers. For a long time XMBC
has supported binding buttons to an individual process and now includes binding to specific window
parts. XMBC is not only for button mapping, various navigation customizations are available; tuning
the pointer and scroll wheel to your needs.

To access the setup window double-click the XMBC icon

in the notification area or run the program from the start
menu. The tray icon may be automatically hidden on Windows 7 or later,
drag the XMBC icon from the hidden section over to the area next to the
clock and it will show permanently.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Profile List and Information

Configure applications to suit your individual needs
The Application/Window Profiles list contains all of the profiles you have created and assigned to various applications or windows.
From here you can quickly activate or deactivate profiles using the check box to the left of the profile name, rename profiles, create new
profiles, copy an existing profile, edit the selected profile, import and export profiles or remove an unnecessary profile. Profiles can be
edited, copied or removed via their respective buttons or from the right-click context menu. If a profiles text is RED, then it is the active
profile, in other words it currently has keyboard/mouse focus for sending commands.
The Profile Information box displays how XMBC identifies the selected process or window
The information is identical to what was entered when
creating the profile.

Importing and Exporting Profiles

The X-Mouse Button Control registered file type, xmbcs, is used to save
exported profiles.
By default, profiles are saved to the current users %APPDATA%
directory under Highresolution Enterprises. Save exported profiles
wherever is suitable; the new save location will be remembered.
A batch export is also available for easily backing up the settings of
every single profile in a single .xmbcs file.
An exported file may be opened (double-clicked) to import the
contained profiles into XMBC. If there is a conflict with a current profile
you will be prompted to overwrite the existing one, discard the
inserting entry or cancel the entire import process.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Creating an Application and/or Window Profile

Adding a Process Profile

Pressing the Add or Copy buttons will bring up a dialog box
listing all currently running applications.
Choose from the list of running applications, browse for an
application EXE file, manually enter a process name, or opt
to use a specific window.
The description field is used to give a profile a custom display
name in the profile list.

Adding a Window Specific Profile

After choosing Specific Window from within the Choose
Application window, the Find Window screen will appear allowing
for more specific identification.
This allows you to create advanced profiles that can be triggers
when the mouse cursor is over a specific control or sub-window
rather than the whole application.
You can use the Window Regions options to restrict the profile to
individual quadrants of the window, for example, when the cursor
is over the top left of a window, check the top left check box and
leave the other three checkboxes unchecked.
You can also enable regular expression matching of the window
caption or class names. NOTE: This requires more resources so only
enable it if you are using regular expressions.
For target selection press and hold left the left-click button over
the window finder icon then drag the target cursor to the desired
window and release.
For hover selection mark the radio button then move the cursor
over the desired window. Press caps lock to stop hot-tracking so
the current windows information can be confirmed.
For more information on Window Classes, see the Microsoft MSDN
article About Widow Classes

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Multi-Layered Button Mapping

Providing up to 10 layers of button mapping for every profile

The list of Mapping Commands, available on each of the 9 controls.

The list of commands is subject to change with each version of XMBC.
NOTE: Some items are only available on specific operating systems.

You can re-bind up to 9 mouse controls (Left Button, Right Button,

Middle/Wheel Button, XButton1 (Button 4), XButton2 (Button 5), Wheel
Up, Wheel Down, Tilt Wheel Left and Tilt Wheel Right) on each and any of
the layers.
The orange highlight indicates XMBC is currently receiving a standard
Windows message from that button/control, in other words you are
currently manipulating it. If no highlight is seen when manipulating a
control, then its current message/button is not compatible with X-Mouse
Button Control.
Any of the up to ten layers can be given a custom name on each and every
profile. This name will be displayed in a balloon notification when
switching layers (notification is optional).
The reset button in the upper right corner can be used to revert all controls
on the current layer to default.
When you configure a layer other than layer 1, you can also instruct XMBC
to automatically transition to another layer (or revert to the previous layer)
after a configurable time period.
By default, only two layers are enabled. You can change this to any number
between 1 and 10 using the Number of layers option in the general
settings tab.
NOTE: Only operating systems after Windows XP support standard tilt
wheel messages. Tilt Wheel Left & Tilt Wheel Right options will therefore
not be available on Windows XP or earlier operating systems.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Scrolling & Navigation

The right-most tab, provides advanced pointer & scroll wheel adjustments on a per-profile basis

Per-Profile Options

Disable Scroll Window Under Cursor Overrides the global setting 'Make scroll window scroll window under cursor'.
Enable axis locking modifier keys Allows you to enable or disable the axis locking hotkeys (you must enable the global hotkeys

or layer modifier keys for Axis Locking for this option to have any effect. Axis locking prevents pointer movement along either
the X or Y axis.
Inverting mouse wheel scrolling Inverts (reverses) the vertical scroll (wheel) direction.
Invert mouse horizontal scrolling Inverts (reverses) the horizontal scroll (tilt) direction
Make scroll window scroll window under cursor Makes the scroll wheel scroll one page at a time instead of line by line.
Lines to scroll using the scroll wheel Allows you to configure how many lines are scrolled when using the scroll wheel.
Force Scroll Pages/Lines Can be used if the application does not correctly respond to the two settings above. Note that this
setting can cause adverse side effects in some Windows applications, so only use it if you have to.
Ignore Repeated remapped scroll The mouse wheel scroll or tilt does not behave like a normal button that sends both a
discrete down and an up message. Instead, it sends one or more single scroll message. When remapping horizontal or vertical
scroll to an action that expects to work with down and up messages (like simulated keystrokes) you may find that the mapped
action repeats. You can prevent this repeat by enabling this option and adjusting the time to suit your scenario/device.

Advanced Scrolling Methods

The advanced scrolling options allow you to scroll windows that do not usually respond to the scroll wheel, such as old Windows
applications. There are currently 5 methods from which to choose (as well as the default and disabled options). Usually you would only
use these settings for a specific window profile, for those windows that do not behave as expected when using the scroll wheel, rather
than an application profile.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Default passes through the original uninterrupted message sent by the mouse driver.
Scroll Message Send WM_HSCROLL or WM_VSCROLL directly to the window under the mouse. (works with some windows)
Scroll Info Use the Win32 SetScrollInfo API to set the scroll position of a window... (rarely works, but gives great results when it does)
Left/Right Keys Sends left & right arrow keys (only applies to horizontal scrolling)
Wheel Message Send WM_MOUSEWHEEL or WM_MOUSEHWHEEL message to the window (most recognizable/reliable)
WPF Scroll Message Send a special scroll message, for use with newer applications built using the Windows Presentation Foundation.
None (Disable Scroll) blocks the original message and doesnt inject anything other messages, thus disabling the scroll wheel.
NOTE: You can reverse scrolling by choose a negative increment in the Vertical Lines or Horizontal Characters fields.

NOTE: When any of the first three methods fails to register for an application XMBC invokes the Default scrolling method and applies the
vertical lines or horizontal characters scrolling increments, Method 3 will resort to Method 1 for vertical scrolls prior to invoking Default. This
way scrolling will not cease if one of these methods isnt recognized by the window.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Simulated Keystrokes Button Mapping

Send any custom keystroke, key sequence or mouse action when you press a mouse button .
The simulated keystrokes window is displayed when you select
'Simulated Keystrokes' for a particular button mapping. It allows you
to assign any keystrokes, mouse actions and/or hotkeys to your mouse
buttons.
You can type a single key or a series of keys. You can also make use of
special {FUNCTION TAGS} which are described in the text field at the
bottom of the window.
There are 9 methods available for sending your assigned keystroke.

Pressed Send the keys when the mouse button is pressed.

Released Send the keys when the mouse button is released

During Hold the keys while the mouse button is held

[like holding down keys on the keyboard, without the repetition]

Threaded Press (*)

Threaded Release (*)

Repeatedly Continuously sends the keys while the mouse

button is held down.
[like holding down a key on the keyboard]

Sticky Repeat A Repeatedly toggle

[press once to begin repetition, press again to cease]

Sticky Hold A During toggle

[press once to activate, again to deactivate]

Pressed and Released A combination of pressed and released.

[The keys will be sent when the button is pressed and sent again when the button is released]

*NOTE: As of version 2.10, all simulated keystrokes are sent in a separate thread. Therefore, the 'Threaded Press' and 'Threaded Release'
options are no longer required as they are identical to the 'Pressed' and 'Released' options. They remain in the list for backwards compatibility.
When using a method that repeats, you can set a custom repeat interval between the collective keys in the 'Auto repeat delay' field.
NOTE: Setting the value to 0ms passes through the control panels settings for the keyboard repeat rate.
Selecting 'Only send if profiles process is active' will only send keys if the application or window currently has input (keyboard) focus.
NOTE: This setting is on by default and it is not recommended that you change this when sending hotkeys.
Selecting 'Block original mouse input' will block the source button press. This is usually the desirable outcome. To pass the original button press
as well as the simulated keystrokes through to the window with input focus, clear this option.
Selecting 'Randomize auto repeat delay by 10%' when using a method that repeats, will vary the delay between repeats by up to 10%. This can
be used to try and prevent detection and blocking of simulated input by some programs.

Run Application Button Mapping

Run any application or command when you press a mouse button .

The Run Application window is displayed when you select 'Run Application' for a
particular button mapping. It allows you to run any Windows application or
command.
Simply type the full path to the application to run, or use the browse button to
browse to the application

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Global Settings - General

In order for any of the settings below to take effect, you must OK the changes then press apply in the main dialog.
These options are applied globally (none are profile specific).

Mouse Speed adjusts the rate of pointer movement in relation to

physical manipulation of the mouse. This controls the same option as
that found in the Windows Mouse control panel.
Make scroll window scroll window under cursor sends scrolling
messages to the window/control directly beneath the mouse pointer,
as opposed to the one with keyboard focus
Activate window when scrolling Activates (brings input focus to) a
window when you scroll it using the scroll wheel.
Bypass ALL actions when SCROLL LOCK is ON disables all of XMBCs
settings when the keyboards Scroll Lock is activated
Bypass 'disabled' actions when SCROLL LOCK is ON re-enables all
disabled settings when the Scroll Lock key is activated; cannot be used
when all actions are bypassed by Scroll Lock activation
Swap 4th and 5th buttons swaps the side buttons on most mice
(mouse buttons 4/5)
Swap 4th and 5th buttons remote desktop swaps the side buttons
only while the user is connected to a remote desktop session (affects
XMBC on the remote machine)
Disable when running under remote desktop (RDP) Disables all of
XMBCs settings when you are connected via Remote Desktop.
Show layer switch balloon notifications toggles balloon tip
notification above the notification area when switching layers using a
hotkey or button assignment
Change cursor when using Movement to Scroll Allows XMBC to
change the cursor icon to indicate that Movement to Scroll is active.
Enable On Screen Display for volume and brightness settings
Available only on Windows 7 and earlier. Show a Windows 8 style OSD
when changing the volume or LCD brightness using XMBC.
Always show the volume On Screen Display Available only on
Windows 7 and earlier. Show the volume OSD when changing the
volume from other applications.
Number of layers Configure the number of layers available for use in the layers tabs on the main screen.
Language Change the display language used in XMBC. Please note that language packs are provided by other users and are not validated by the
author of XMBC.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Global Settings - Advanced

In order for any of the settings below to take effect, you must OK the changes then press apply in the main dialog.
These options are applied globally (none are profile specific).

Enable profile switching on mouse move Allows XMBC profiles to be

activated when the mouse pointer is over the identified object, as
opposed to only when the cursor is activated (requires SLIGHTLY more
resources)
Process non-client mouse messages If disabled XMBC will ignore
mouse messages sent to the title bar area of a window (Disabling this
option can degrade performance and is NOT RECOMMENDED)
Reset sticky buttons when any other button is pressed Clears any
assigned sticky/repeat actions whenever another button is pressed
Reset sticky buttons when any other key is pressed Clears any
assigned sticky/repeat actions when any key is pressed
Reset sticky buttons when the layer changes Clears any assigned
sticky/repeat actions whenever the layer changes
Show tray icon by default Whether or not the XMBC icon is displayed
in the notification area after log on (When this is disabled, to re-display
the icon again simply re-run XMBC which will instruct the running
program to re-show the icon.
Ignore numlock state for Simulated Keystrokes Always treats the
number pad on the keyboard as if Num Lock were disabled, when
sending simulated keystrokes
Load US English keyboard if no equivalent is available If you do not
have any English keyboard mapping, and find that some simulated keys
or actions do not work, try enabling this option. NOTE: This may cause
a US English keyboard layout to be loaded and display in the Windows
language bar.
Cycle layers by left clicking tray icon Allows you to move to the next
layer by clicking once on the XMBC icon in the notification area.
De-bounce (ignore) rapid mouse button clicks For older mice where
the micro-switch is not working (bouncing), you may find that clicking
a button once results in multiple clicks. This option can be enabled to
attempt to detect and ignore this switch bounce. You can customize the time (in milliseconds) to ignore bounces to suit your device.
Start de-bounce timer when button is released When using the De-bounce option (above), the time to detect bounces usually runs form the first
button down (pressed) message. Enabling this option will run the timer when the first button up (released) message is receive d instead.
Fix-up (de-bounce) tilt wheel auto-repeat The tilt wheel does not work like a normal button. Instead it repeatedly sends messages when pressed
which can cause remapped actions to be repeated. Different mice work differently and repeat the message at different rates, making it difficult to
detect. When enabled, you can use the 'Initial repeat rate' and 'Repeat tilt rate' fields to adjust timings relative to your device. NOTE: You may find
the 'Ignore repeated remapped scroll' options on the profiles scrolling and navigation tab more suitable.
Delay between simulated keystrokes Allows you to globally add a small delay between every key in a simulated keystrokes sequence. This can be
useful if your simulated keystrokes are always sent too quickly, instead of using the {WAITMS} tag in the sequence itself.
Disable inactivity timer while inactive Allows you to 'cheat' the built in Windows inactivity timer. Useful when your IT department does not allow
you to change the lock time for your PC. This option will simulate input to make Windows believe you are still using your PC and prevent the lock
screen or screen saver from triggering.
Windows Low Level Hook Timeout This setting applies globally to all Windows applications that use hooks. Try increasing this value if the XMBC
gets disabled automatically by Windows or stops responding (this should be logged in the log file). NOTE: You will have to re boot before Windows
recognizes any change to this setting.
CPU Priority Allows you to configure how much CPU resource XMBC can take relative to other applications. If you notice any mouse stuttering, try
increasing the priority.
Check for new version every X days A version check will be performed. If a new version of XMBC is available, you will be asked if you want to
download and install it. Automatic updates are smaller than the full XMBC install so it saves bandwidth for you and the XMBC servers when using
this method of updating XMBC.
Check for beta versions Allows for notification of new beta (test) versions of XMBC when performing the version check.
Enable debug logging activates XMBCs debug mode, it is useful when reporting issues to the developer. The debug log is saved in the current
users %APPDATA% directory under Highresolution Enterprises by default and may be accessed by pressing the 'Open Log' file button or from the
system tray. (debug logging is very resource intensive and will hinder mouse responsiveness, as such the setting is not persistent and will be disabled
on any subsequent launches).

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

Global Settings Hotkeys and Modifier Keys

In order for any of the settings below to take effect, you must OK the changes then press apply in the main dialog.

Global Hotkeys
The hotkeys assigned in this tab have a system-wide effect; make sure
they arent already in use somewhere else by other applications. These
hotkeys will activate their relevant setting; in some cases, using the
hotkey again will toggle/cycle the setting.
Dont forget to enable global hotkeys by ticking the Enable global
hotkeys checkbox.
NOTE: Global Hotkeys are only active when the X-Mouse Button
Control settings window is not open.

Modifier Keys
These hotkeys work as instant toggles. Their relevant settings are only
applied while the modifier key is held down. They are system-wide, so
make sure there are no conflicts. Also, bear in mind that any key will still
be sent to the rest of the system, so, for example, if you choose to use
the control (CTRL) key, when you press a mouse button, the control key
may cause the active application to behave differently!
Dont forget to enable the modifier keys by ticking the Enable modifier
keys checkbox.

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons

10

Further Configurations
Using Layered Button Mapping
There are up to 10 fully customizable layers that may be put to use in XMBC. Several methods are available for activating layers.
Global Hotkeys
Assign hotkeys to the desired layers. Sending this hotkey will perform a rigid layer switch, not reverting back to your previous layer or
switching to any other layers until another command to switch layers is received.
Modifier Keys
Assign a modifier key for activating the desired layer. Pressing and holding this hotkey will temporarily activate the layer, reverting to
the previously active layer once the hotkey is released.
Button Assignment
Every layer supports mapping buttons to layers other than itself. Button layer assignments work just like modifier keys, activating a layer
only while held. Once a button has been mapped to an alternate layer the button on the subsequent layer will be marked as layer revert
and cannot perform any other functions on that layer.
Context Menu
Layers can also be manually chosen from the context menu by right-clicking the icon in the notification area.
NOTE: Be careful when chaining layer switching through use of the modifier keys or button assignments. Activating a layer by holding a button or
modifier key followed by using yet another button on the resulting layer may lead to confusion in certain circumstances.

Locking Axes
In order to lock either the mouse cursor X or Y axis it is first necessary to setup the corresponding hotkey or modifier key and enable axis locking
on a per profile basis.
Global Hotkeys
Go to the Scrolling & Navigation tab and mark Enable axis locking modifier keys on the desired profile, then use the assigned global
hotkey to enable/disable axis locking for the specified axis.
Modifier Keys
Choose the Scrolling & Navigation tab and mark Enable axis locking modifier keys for the desired profile, now pressing and holding the
relevant modifier key will toggle axis locking.
NOTE: Axis Locking works by preventing any mouse movement on the chosen axis. So locking the X-Axis will PREVENT the cursor from moving
along the X-Axis, not restrict cursor movement to only along the X-Axis.

Changing the Tray Icon

Use your own icons by placing ICO files in the same folder as the main executable (XMouseButtonControl.exe). A unique icon can be used to
represent each of the 5 layers and the disabled state. Create or download icon files using 16x16 and/or 32x32 (auto-resized) dimensions. The
following naming pattern is necessary in order for the .ico files to be accepted by XMBC. Exit and re-launch the program to load the icons.
Layer1.ico (the default icon), Layer2.ico, Layer3.ico, Layer4.ico, Layer5.ico, Layer6.ico, Layer7.ico, Layer8.ico, Layer9.ico, Layer10.ico and
Disabled.ico

X-Mouse Button Control @ Highrez Forums

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X-Mouse Button Control Author: Phillip Gibbons

X-Mouse Button Control User Guide: MainTrane & Phillip Gibbons

Copyright 2005-2016 Phillip Gibbons