If you use a Windows 11 computer with a touch screen, you can use simple finger movements called touch gestures to control your PC quickly and easily.
What are touch gestures?
Touch gestures are actions you do with your fingers on the screen, like tapping, swiping, or pinching. These help you open apps, switch tasks, zoom in on pictures, and much more without using a mouse or keyboard.
Since Windows 11 build 22557, Microsoft added new gestures that make it easier to move around your computer. And starting with build 22567, the gestures look smooth and follow your finger movements nicely!
How to Turn On Touch Gestures
To use these gestures, make sure they are turned on in your settings:
- Click the Start button and open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Touch.
- Find Three- and four-finger touch gestures and turn it on.
Note: Sometimes, three- and four-finger gestures might not work inside some apps. If you need those, you can turn off this setting anytime.
Common Touch Gestures You Can Try
| What You Want to Do | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Select an item (like open a file or app) | Tap the screen once with one finger |
| Scroll up/down or left/right | Place two fingers on the screen and slide them up, down, left, or right |
| Zoom in or zoom out | Put two fingers on the screen and pinch them together to zoom out, or spread them apart to zoom in |
| Open more options (like right-click) | Press and hold your finger on the item until options appear |
| See all open windows | Swipe up with three fingers |
| Show your desktop | Swipe down with three fingers |
| Switch to the last app you used | Swipe left or right with three fingers |
| Open the notification center | Swipe in from the right edge of the screen with one finger |
| See your widgets | Swipe in from the left edge of the screen with one finger |
| Switch between different desktops | Swipe left or right with four fingers |
| Open or close the Start menu (Windows 11 build 22557 and newer) | Swipe up from the middle of the taskbar to open Start, swipe down to close it |
| Switch between Pinned apps and All apps in Start | In Start, swipe left or right to move between Pinned and All apps |
| Open or close Quick Settings | Swipe up from the bottom right of the taskbar to open Quick Settings, swipe down to close |
Where to Learn More
For a full list of touch gestures and more tips, check out the official Microsoft page:
Touch Gestures for Windows – Microsoft Support
Summary
- Use gestures to move around Windows faster.
- Windows 11 has new, smooth multi-finger gestures.
- You can turn gestures on or off anytime in Settings.
- Try different gestures to control your PC easily.
- Keep Windows updated to get new gesture features.
Once you get used to these gestures, using your Windows 11 touch screen will feel easier and more fun!
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