What is MicrosoftMouseHelper?

[mwaddell]

After installing Microsoft's IntelliMouse driver, the application "MicrosoftMouseHelper" appeared in my login items list (Sys Prefs > Login > Login Items). What does this application do? And, do I need to keep it as a login item in order for the IntelliMouse to take advantage of the Microsoft driver?

[icenw]

i'd switch it off and see what happens, you can alway just put it back on, or at worst re-install the drivers :)

[d00d]

I wouldn't fool around with it. It's what's called a daemon. It's a program that facilitates certain tasks in the background. Daemons help replace much of the functionality of extensions and control panels in the Classic OS. It doesn't replace all however, because sometimes kernel extensions are required (Intellipoint installs a kernel extension). These background apps take up little processor time and resources so you won't be gaining much by disabling it (even if Intellipoint still works after that, which I doubt).