Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 Patch to Fix Problematic Gaming Mice

Not long after the release of Windows 8.1, some gamers began to experience rather severe issues with their mouse or pointing device. Some talked about issues of lag, and others, a lack of responsiveness. Fortunately, this isn’t an issue Microsoft brushed under the rug, and after working its magic in the lab, it’s gone ahead and released a patch, which can be snagged here.

Games the Patch Fixes (At the Very Least)

• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Call of Duty: Black Ops – Multiplayer
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Multiplayer
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Zombies
• Call of Duty: Ghosts – Multiplayer
• Call of Duty: MW2
• Call of Duty: MW2 – Multiplayer
• Call of Duty: MW3
• Call of Duty: MW3 – Multiplayer
• Call of Duty: MW
• Call of Duty: MW – Multiplayer
• Counter Strike: Global Offensive
• Counter Strike: Source
• Deus Ex : Human Revolution
• Deus Ex : Human Revolution Director’s Cut
• Hitman Absolution
• Hitman Sniper Challenge
• Half Life 2
• Metro 2033
• Portal
• Tomb Raider

It has to be said that it’s rather unusual that an issue like this could exist in 2013, especially when Microsoft has decades of experience with OS development. In that regard, while it’s nice that the company was fast in pushing a fix out, the fact that something like this had to be fixed at all is a little ridiculous.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t experienced a mouse-related issue at all since updating to 8.1, and that’s despite playing one of the above-listed games for close to 30 hours since then (Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut). I couldn’t find a list of mice that are actually known to be affected, or what it is about them that causes issues. Clearly, though, it was a widespread enough problem to require Microsoft’s immediate attention.