Yes, I read ALL of the 58 pages before I submitted my question. If there had been any that dealt with removing the accursed thing from a desktop, or solved my problem using a mouse or Hot Key, I wouldn't have submitted the question.
Unlike many people, I don't use a touchpad. See no use for them. I use a desktop computer. Remember those? Even my cell phone is used ONLY to make voice calls. Talking is much more polite and personal than texting, don't you agree?
Yes, I may be called 'Old Fashioned', I don't even do Social Networking, other than to seek a solution to a problem on "Help" forums like this, cuz I consider SN to be a cancer on our society.
If you can direct me to a specific solution, it would help. I'm not even averse to tinkering with the registry. Done it before with surprisingly good results. Just don't have the time or inclination to dig through it right now if there is a simpler way.
Thank you for your considerate and polite reply, though.