Thinkpad trackpoint: scrolling and middle click possible?

I'm using an X61s laptop (under Windows) that only has a trackpoint, not a touchpad.

The trackpoint has a scroll function that is activated by holding the middle button and then using the trackpoint to scroll. This is very useful and I don't want to miss it.

However, I would also like to use the middle button to open links in new tabs for instance.

Unfortunately, I have not found a setting that provides both functionalities at the same time. Does anyone know if and how it can be done?

Here are some links to people having the same problem, but no solution, unfortunately:

• http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=194822
• http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=423415
• http://forum.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/Trackpoint-scrolling-AND-middle-clicking/td-p/181886
• http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/579009962631/m/422003622831

Solution 1:

Here is a work around just posted using Autohotkey to simulate a scroll wheel while holding down middle click after a certain amount of time:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/ultranav-middle-click-button-scroll.423415/

Solution 2:

I'm a thinkpad only guy... and this issue bothers me a lot too. Running Windows 8 currently and finally found this little app that does the trick very nicely. Works with previous versions of windows too! https://github.com/summivox/misc_bin/raw/master/tpmiddle-0.5.exe

Just place it in your startup. Basically... if you press the middle button and don't scroll it will execute the alternate action. So, in browsers usually it will open a page in a new tab. More details in the link, but this solved my issue.

Solution 3:

I'm unsure if this affects your Thinkpad, but it worked on mine:

Open up the mouse properties and open the Ultranav tab. Click Settings... and change the Scrolling Type to Smooth.

On my system, a middle click works as expected unless held down. Then it acts as a scroll wheel.

Solution 4:

Simply go to the mouse properties and under the TrackPoint Tab, find "Choose Scrolling and Magnifying Glass Function". Here select "Neither". This would allow you to open new tabs with the middle click and if you use the trackpoint to scroll, it would scroll too.