Customize Four-Finger Tap Gestures in Windows 11

This post shows students and new users steps to change the four-finger tap gestures in Windows 11.

Suppose your Windows 11 device has a built-in precision touchpad with multi-point gestures. In that case, you can change certain functions that allow users quick access to several functions, including opening search, bringing up the Notification center, Play/pause, or activating the middle mouse button.

Windows also lets users turn off or disable these actions from the Settings app. If you have a mouse connected to your laptop and would instead use it, turning off the touchpad actions will save you some annoyance.

Other settings one can perform on the device’s touchpad are turning on or off the on-screen touchpad, using touchpad gestures, turning off touchpad clicks, tapping the touchpad with a singer’s finger to single-click, enabling two fingers on the touchpad to right-click, tapping twice and drag to multi-select item, changing touchpad cursor speed, how to change touchpad scroll directions or disable your device touchpad altogether and more.

Below is how to change the three-finger swipe gestures in Windows 11.

How to change the four-finger tap gestures in Windows 11

As mentioned above, if your Windows 11 device has a built-in precision touchpad with multi-point gestures, you can change certain functions that allow users quick access to several functions, including opening search, bringing up the Notification center, Play/pause, or activating the middle mouse button.

Below is how to turn the three-finger tap gestures in Windows 11 on or off.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings app. From system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows, all can be done from the System Settings pane.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar to search for Settings. Then select to open it.

The Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices and select the Touchpad tile on the right.

On the Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad settings pane, under Gestures & interaction, select the Four-finger gestures tile to expand.

On the Taps tile, choose which gestures you want from the drop-down options:

• Nothing
• Open search (default)
• Notification center
• Play/pause
• Middle mouse button

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• In Windows 11, changing touchpad gestures is a convenient way to customize your device to suit your preferences and needs.
• With built-in precision touchpads, users can easily adjust functions such as opening search, accessing the Notification center, and more.
• By accessing the Touchpad settings through the Windows Settings pane, users can customize four-finger tap gestures to their desired actions.
• Additionally, turning off touchpad actions can be beneficial when using an external mouse with your laptop.
• Customizing touchpad gestures can enhance productivity and improve the overall user experience with Windows 11.