Some computer mice come with the ability to customize the various buttons and LEDs. This is mostly the case with gaming mice, which helps gamers use the wider array of buttons on the mouse to streamline commands and improve their game.
The problem is, if you remove that mouse and go to another computer, you have to customize all of those buttons again. That’s because the customization capability is all in the software that comes with the mouse, not the mouse itself.
However, that’s not always the case, at least not anymore.
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Does A Computer Mouse Have Memory?
Most computer mice do not have memory. But there are some that do come with onboard memory so you can program buttons and customize lighting without your mouse forgetting your settings, no matter what PC you switch to.
The onboard memory is mostly found on gaming mice that usually have LEDs and programmable side buttons rather than just the standard right and left-click ones.
These types of programmable mice use onboard memory to save your custom lighting and button mappings so you can take your mouse anywhere and use it the way you set it up.
There are other non-gaming benefits to having a mouse with its own memory too. For example, you could copy or cut something with your mouse, unplug it, plug it back into another computer and then paste whatever you had copied.
You could also set two programmable side buttons as forward and back for quick navigation in web browsers and your computer’s operating system.
It’s the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, a computer mouse doesn’t come with its own memory. Everything that the mouse is capable of, besides moving a cursor around on the screen and clicking things, comes with the software.
Most PC mice with onboard memory are wired but there are a few out there that are wireless as well. Since the onboard memory is mostly a gaming thing and gamers prefer a wired mouse, you won’t find many that are wireless.
- Razer Naga Pro
- Logitech G604 Lightspeed (Wireless)
- Razer DeathAdder V2
- Roccat Kone AIMO
- Logitech G502 Hero
- SteelSeries Sensei 310
These are some of the most popular mice that come with onboard memory. If your mouse has onboard memory, whatever customization options you create remain with the mouse, wherever it goes and no matter how many times you unplug it.
Why Do Some Computer Mice Have Memory?
The onboard memory on some of these high-end gaming mice is nothing that’s going to blow your socks off. It’s just enough memory in each mouse that you can save a few, customized profiles—nothing more than that.
Despite the fact that it’s not incredibly complicated hardware, it is incredibly convenient for gamers. This is especially true for gamers that move around a lot, especially in gaming tournaments, or those that play at their friends or family’s houses from time to time.
You no longer have to re-customize your mouse buttons when you plug your mouse into a new PC.
Related Article: Can A Mouse Cause A Computer To Freeze? (And What To Do If It Does)
Most gaming mice with onboard memory will also allow you to save your lighting display (assuming you purchase a mouse that comes with RGB lighting). DPI settings are available on many as well. It just depends on the mouse you’re looking for and what you would prefer to customize for the long term.
Some mice will allow you to set different profiles for different activities. For instance, you can have a gaming profile, a work profile, and a leisure profile, all with different settings for convenience in whatever you’re doing.
Locating Your Onboard Mouse Memory
It’s difficult to write down a step-by-step process for someone to access their mouse’s onboard memory because it’s all dependent on the software that comes with the mouse.
Razer Synapse, Logitech GHub, Corsair iCUE, Roccat Swarm, SteelSeries Engine, and more are examples of software you have to download when you install your mouse for the first time.
As per usual, you can access your information by locating the appropriate profile that’s associated with your software.
Bottom Line
Most mice do not come with their own memory. Everything that has to do with the mouse, including customized profiles, is saved on the PC. However, there are a few mice that come with onboard memory.
They’re a little on the expensive side but, as time goes on and they gain in popularity, we’re bound to see more of them in the short term.
