Many people have reported a problem with the spacebar toggle for the hand tool in Photoshop (and Elements) not working under Windows. Normally, when any other tool than the hand tool is selected, one can press and hold the spacebar down which temporarily toggles the hand tool on. This is so useful when you need to pan an image around while working with other tools.
However on my notebook computer this feature was not working. Pressing the spacebar does activate the hand tool but it is not possible to drag (pan) the image.
After researching this issue several times I had finally given up and just assumed something was broken and not workable. But then I came across a solution. It turns out that not all mouse settings are actually in Control Panel –> Mouse. I have no idea why Microsoft would do this and it really makes no sense. This relates to much of the other problems that came with Windows 8 since PC settings is part of the appallingly bad, schizoid interface crap that was forced on users.
The relevant setting is accessed via PC Settings –> PC and devices –> Mouse and touchpad and under Touchpad select “No delay (always on)” from the drop-down list. Since I have the touchpad on my Thinkpad disabled anyway – yes I’m an avid user of the Trackpoint and cannot stand touchpads – this is no issue. This delay feature only exists to prevent accidental movement of the mouse while typing – another reason why touchpads totally suck and should never be put on notebook computers ever.
So it turns out that the solution to the hand tool toggle feature in Photoshop involves disabling the hack workaround for touchpads that is necessary because of their totally shitty ergonomic design and which is so essential as to now be included as part of the operating system.
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