Enable Handwriting: Use Your Fingertip in Windows 11

How to Turn On or Off Writing with Your Fingertip in the Handwriting Panel

You can quickly turn on or off writing with your fingertip in the Windows 11 handwriting panel right from the Settings app.

1. Open ⚙️ the Settings app. Click the ⊞ Start menu button and choose Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. In Settings, click 🔷 Bluetooth & devices from the menu on the left side.
3. On the right side, find and click Pen & Windows Ink to open its settings.
4. Scroll down to the Handwriting section and click on Use your handwriting to enter text to expand it.
5. Check the box next to Write with your fingertip to turn it ON. Uncheck it to turn it OFF.
6. When done, just close ⚙️ the Settings app.

Turn on or off writing with your fingertip in Windows 11 settings

How to Enable or Disable Writing with Your Fingertip Using the Windows Registry Editor

You can change the setting for writing with your fingertip in Windows 11 using the Windows Registry Editor, but this method is for advanced users and requires extra care.

1. ⚠️ Admin privileges required. Open the Windows Registry Editor by typing regedit in the ⊞ Start menu search and clicking on it.
2. In the Registry Editor, go to this folder:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TabletTip\EmbeddedInkControl
3. If you don’t see the EmbeddedInkControl folder, 🖱️ right-click on TabletTip, choose New > Key, and name it EmbeddedInkControl.
4. Click on the EmbeddedInkControl folder. On the right side, right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the new value EnableInkingWithTouch.
6. Double-click EnableInkingWithTouch, set the Base to Decimal, and enter the value:

   • 1 to turn writing with fingertip ON.
   • 0 to turn it OFF.
7. Click OK, close Registry Editor, and 🔄 restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Set the fingertip writing value in the Windows Registry Editor

Summary

You can toggle fingertip writing in Windows 11’s handwriting panel using either the Settings app or the Registry Editor. Using your fingertip is great for quick notes or when you don’t have a pen handy. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below!