Win 10+Thinkpad X1: Prevent Cortana from opening when scrolling with middle button + TrackPoint

[henrikb]

QUESTION:
How do I configure Windows 10 / Cortana such that it does not open when I click the middle button?

PROBLEM:
I'm user of TrackPoint since 2002 and I always scroll using the middle button (I've been on Windows 7 this far). Just got my Thinkpad X1 Gen 4 with Windows 10 Pro. Middle-button scrolling still works, but whenever I click the middle button Cortana opens up. Its basically makes it impossible for me to use the notebook right now.

WHAT I'VE TRIED:
I've tried all settings in Windows / Lenovo but I cannot figure out how to disassociate the middle button with Cortana. I've obviously search the web for solutions, but without success. The best I've found this far was a hack that killed the Cortana process but that in turn also killed the local Windows search.

It is not clear to me if this is a Lenovo driver problem or a Windows problem or a combination.

PS. This must be FAQ, but I failed to locate the exact topic and answer.

[kh9804]

I have the same problem. Please, give me a solution

[henrikb]

Hi kh9804, as a start, what version of Synaptics (mouse driver) do you currently have?

Go to Settings -> Devices -> 'Mouse & touchpad' -> 'Additional mouse options' to open the 'Mouse Properties' window. In that windows, go to tab 'Hardware' and click 'Properties'. This will open the 'Synaptics Pointing Device Properties' window. Go to tab 'Drivers'. There you should see 'Driver Provider: Synaptics'. What version do you see?

Knowing this, will help identify who/why this problem happens and help others. So, please check this first and report back. If it matches mine, I think I have a solution for you.

[kh9804]

Oh, thank you very much for your kind instruction.

My version is 19.0.17.77 (2016-03-18)
I hope you can help me..

Many thanks!

[henrikb]

Hi. Ok, I was hoping that you had an old version than Synaptics UltraNav Driver 19.0.17.77 (2016-03-18).

First, to clarify, I had this problem and now my problem is gone, which means there's hope for you too. When I got my computer last week, I started out with 19.0.17.43 (2015-11-19) and eventually got installed 19.0.17.77 (2016-03-18) via the Lenovo Companion ("system update") software (which is pre-installed). This didn't work for me. Now, for other reasons (I wanted to re-partition the drives), I ended up with reinstalling Windows using 'Reset my PC' (from Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery). When I did this, the Synaptics UltraNav Driver was not installed, so I went to Lenovo Companion to install it. After this, the problem went away. You should not have to do this tedious task yourself, but at least it gives us some clues.

Before continuing below, make sure you restart your computer one more time and see if that solves your problem. If not...

I did lots of troubleshooting on the problem and discovered that when you hit the middle mouse button on the Thinkpad it caused the key sequence 'Win + S' to be generated. This is the key sequence that opens Cortana Search on Windows 10! (Nope, there's is no way to disable this keyboard shortcut in Windows). To verify this is your problem too (which I think it is), run the tiny KeyCodes software from:

http://delphiforfun.org/programs/utilit ... m#Download

Click 'Download executable' to download KeyCodes.zip. Open that in Explorer and click on the KeyCodes3.exe executable, which opens the 'Key Scan Codes V3.1' window. You see a big white field. Press a key on your keyboard, e.g. 'a'. You'll then see that the software logs the OnKeyDown, OnKeyPress and OnKeyUp events from pressing the key. Now, clicking on any of the mouse buttons should NOT generate any key scan codes. However, when I had the problem I did INDEED get the following when I clicked the middle mouse button (but nothing from either of the left and right mouse buttons):

1. OnKeyDown Key code=91, Control keys=, Key name Left Windows key (MS Natural Kb)
2. OnKeyDown Key code=83, Control keys=, Key name s
3. OnKeyPress s
4. OnKeyUp Key code=83, Control keys=, Key name s
5. OnKeyUp Key code=91, Control keys=, Key name Left Windows key (MS Natural Kb)

If you see this too, at least we know that is the cause for the Cortana Search to open up.


So, if this is the case for you as well, I think you have two options:

1. Start Lenovo Companion and go to 'System update' and click 'Check for new updates'. If there are new updates, try to install them. If you're patient, I would install them one by one with reboots in between. This would help us narrow down the solution (I thought it was the Synaptic update). You can see the updates I've made this far in the image below (sorry, it's not possible to cut'n'paste from that window). I really hope this approach will solve your problem.

2. If not, go to https://github.com/HenrikBengtsson/Thin ... tton_issue. That is the write-up of the problem I did during my 8-hour troubleshooting and workaround session (before reinstalling Windows). It also includes a workaround that runs a teeny piece of software that basically consumes the 'Win + S' key sequence before Windows can see it (but still so that scrolling with the mouse button works). That worked for me.


DETAILS:
(I don't know why some are listed as 'Failed')
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Henri ... pdates.png

[kh9804]

Wow, fantastic!
Thank you very much in advance!

I found a new update file in the Lenovo Companion: the Synaptics UltraNav Driver.
But, although I successfully installed the driver, several times, it keeps showing on the list.

Including this problem, I have found some unsmooth functions right after I upgraded the Window from 7 to 10 recently...
After the upgrade, I had to install new Lenovo Companion and their friend setting apps, which was quite complicating to me,
and after installing them, some smears appear following the prompt.

Anyway, I will try things you explain, and if still doesn't work, I think I should use the recovery function.

Thanks a million again!!