Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
You probably spent over $100 on an MX Master or a high-end MX Vertical. If you plug it in and never install the software, you wasted your money. Out of the box, your premium hardware behaves exactly like a cheap $10 plastic mouse.
Default drivers provide basic pointing and clicking. They do not understand that you live in Excel for eight hours a day. They do not know you need to mute your Zoom mic instantly. To get actual utility out of your hardware, you need Logitech Options+.
This software bridges the gap between the hardware and your operating system. It allows for complex macros, application-specific profiles, and cross-computer control. Here is how to configure it for actual work.
Table of Contents
Hide
Options vs. Options+: What is the Difference?
Logitech confuses users with its naming conventions. There are two main versions of their management software.
- Logitech Options (Classic): This is for older devices. If you have legacy hardware, you are stuck here. The interface is dated, but it works.
- Logitech Options+ (New): This supports the MX Master 3S, MX Keys S, and most effortless releases. It has a modern UI and better backend stability.
The functionality is similar, but Options+ handles “Smart Actions” better. This guide focuses on Options+, as most professionals upgrade to supported devices eventually.
The Killer Feature: App-Specific Profiles
Global settings are lazy. A customized mouse should react differently depending on the active window. Options+ detects which program is in the foreground and changes your button maps automatically.
This is where productivity happens. You stop reaching for the keyboard for common shortcuts. Here are three configurations to try immediately:
1. Browser Mode (Chrome/Edge)
Keep these standard. You want muscle memory for navigation.
- Thumb Buttons: Forward and Back.
- Scroll Wheel Button: Open link in new tab.
2. Spreadsheet Mode (Excel/Sheets)
Navigation buttons are useless here. You need data manipulation.
- Front Thumb Button: Map to
CTRL + C(Copy). - Back Thumb Button: Map to
CTRL + V(Paste). - Horizontal Scroll: Scans columns left/right (default).
3. Creative Mode (Photoshop/Premiere)
Designers lose hours to tool switching. Fix that.
- Thumb Button 1: Map to the “Hand” tool for panning.
- Thumb Button 2: Map to “Undo” (
CTRL + Z). - Gesture Button: Hold and drag to resize brush heads.
If you need ideas for other office setups, check our guide on keyboard and mouse setups for remote work.
Logi Flow: Control Two Computers
Many analysts work with a secure corporate laptop and a personal desktop simultaneously. Logi Flow solves the headache of switching peripherals.
You install Options+ on both machines. You pair the mouse to both. When you drag your cursor to the edge of one screen, it jumps to the next computer. It works across Windows and macOS.
You can also copy text on one machine and paste it onto the other. It uses your local network to transfer the clipboard data. It is not perfect, but it beats emailing files to yourself.
Installation and Setup
Do not rely on Windows Update to find this software. It rarely grabs the full version.
- Download: Go to the official Logitech site. Ensure you choose the “Plus” version if your device is supported.
- Install: Run the installer. It might ask for accessibility permissions on macOS. Grant them. It needs these to track your active window.
- Account: You must create a Logi ID to back up settings to the cloud. This is annoying, but it saves your macros if you switch PCs.
Refining Sensitivity and Scroll
DPI (Dots Per Inch) determines how far the cursor moves when you move the mouse. High DPI is not always better. Precise work requires lower sensitivity.
In the “Point & Scroll” tab, adjust the pointer speed. Disable “Enhance pointer precision” in Windows settings if you want raw input. According to Wikipedia, hardware-level sensitivity is generally more accurate than software acceleration.
For the MX Master series, adjust the SmartShift sensitivity. This controls how hard you flick the wheel before it enters “free spin” mode. If you scroll through thousands of rows of data, set this to high sensitivity.
Troubleshooting Common Bugs
The software is heavy. It runs several background processes. Sometimes it breaks. Here is the no-nonsense troubleshooting list.
Mouse Not Detected
If Options+ opens but shows no devices:
- Turn the mouse off and on.
- Check if you connected via Bluetooth or the Bolt Receiver. The receiver is more stable in crowded signal areas.
- Re-pair the device within the software interface.
Settings Not Switching
Sometimes the mouse stays in “Global” settings even when you open Excel. This usually means the backend service crashed. Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac). Kill the “Logi Options+ Agent” process. The software will restart it automatically.
High CPU Usage
This is a known issue. Ensure you are on the latest firmware. If it persists, a clean reinstall is usually required. For persistent hardware conflicts, consult our troubleshooting resource hub.
Summary
Logitech Options+ turns a piece of hardware into a productivity tool. It takes about 20 minutes to configure properly. Once you map your copy/paste and navigation shortcuts to physical buttons, you will not want to go back.