How to Disable the Touchpad on Windows 10

No longer using the Windows 10 touchpad? Turn it off

By
Anita George
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Anita George
Writer
  • University of Georgia
  • Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Anita George is a writer who has been covering technology since 2013. Her work has appeared in Paste Magazine and she holds both B.A. and B.S. degrees.
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Updated on September 19, 2022

What to Know

  • Check for a key with an icon resembling a touchpad. Tap it to enable/disable touchpad functionality.
  • Or, select the Windows icon > Settings gear > Devices > Touchpad. To adjust sensitivity, select Touchpad sensitivity.
  • To reset, select Windows icon > Settings gear > Devices > Touchpad > Reset touchpad settings and gestures to defaults > Reset.

This article explains how to disable a laptop touchpad in Windows 10. Additional instructions cover how to adjust touchpad sensitivity and how to reset touchpad settings.

Why Disable the Touchpad in Windows 10?

Some users prefer using a mouse because it's generally more comfortable. Others with touchscreen-enabled PCs may prefer to tap and swipe their laptop screens like a tablet.

While working on a document, you might want to temporarily disable the touchpad to avoid accidentally tapping something or moving the mouse pointer while typing on the keyboard. A touchpad's proximity to the keyboard makes it more vulnerable to these kinds of accidents.

Make sure you have a mouse connected and ready to use before disabling the touchpad. Depending on the device, there may or may not be a manual key you can press to turn it back on.

How to Disable the Touchpad on Windows 10

Check to see if there's a physical key on your laptop to disable/enable your touchpad's functionality. The key may have an icon resembling a touchpad. You will likely have to hold the Fn key as you press it.

If your device doesn't have such a key, follow these instructions to disable the touchpad from your Windows Settings:

  1. Select the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen, then select the gear icon to open Windows Settings.

    Alternatively, type settings in the Windows search box and select Settings from the list of options that appear.

    Windows Settings icon

  2. Select Devices.

    Windows Settings > Devices

  3. Select Touchpad in the left pane, then switch Touchpad to Off.

    To automatically turn off the touchpad when you plug in your mouse, uncheck Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected.

    Turning touchpad off

  4. If you want to change the touchpad's level of sensitivity, scroll down to Touchpad Sensitivity. You can also choose what happens when you tap the touchpad, and when you Scroll and zoom.

    Adjusting touchpad sensitivity

  5. Scroll down farther to customize Three-finger gestures and Four-finger gestures.

    Scroll down further to customize Three-finger gestures and Four-finger gestures.

  6. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Reset to restore the touchpad's default settings.

    Reset touchpad settings to default
FAQ
  • How do I disable Pinch Zoom touchpad options in Windows 10?

    Open Mouse & Touchpad settings, then select Additional Mouse Options > Device Settings > Settings. Next, select the Pinch Zoom option and turn off Enable Pinch Zoom, then select Apply > OK to save.

  • How do I change touchpad sensitivity in Windows 10?

    Open Settings and select Devices > Touchpad > Taps. Then use the drop-down menu to choose between "Most sensitivity." "High sensitivity." Medium sensitivity" (the default). and "Low sensitivity."

  • How do I uninstall and reinstall the driver for my touchpad?

    Open Device Manager, then right-click the touchpad > select Uninstall Device > Uninstall. Windows will automatically try to reinstall the latest driver the next time you restart your PC.

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