How to Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction in Windows 11
Touchpad scrolling direction in Windows 11 controls whether swiping down on your laptop pad moves the page up or down. Natural scrolling makes the screen follow your fingers just like moving a physical sheet of paper, while reverse scrolling does the opposite.
Most Windows 11 laptops arrive with reverse scrolling turned on by default. You can easily switch this setting in less than a minute through the main Windows Settings app .
Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction in Settings
Adjusting touchpad scrolling behavior in Windows 11 happens right inside the Settings app. Press the Win and ‘I’ together to open Settings, then pick ‘Bluetooth & devices’ from the left menu. On the right side, click on ‘Touchpad’ to find the settings that let you adjust how your touchpad scrolls.- Open Settings (press Win+I).
- Click Bluetooth & devices on the left side. Then click Touchpad on the right side. (see screenshot below)
- Click Scroll & zoom to open it. (see screenshot below step 4)
- Choose what you want in the Scrolling direction dropdown menu. Select Down motion scrolls up (the default) or Down motion scrolls down. (see screenshot below)
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two
Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction Using Registry
Advanced settings enthusiasts can adjust touchpad behavior directly through the Windows Registry. This method allows you to alter your touchpad’s scrolling by modifying specific values within the Registry Editor (a powerful database storing system and application configuration settings). Proceed with caution when editing the registry, because incorrect changes can destabilize your system.
Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction to “Down motion scrolls up”
This is the default setting.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad" /v ScrollDirection /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction to “Down motion scrolls down”
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad" /v ScrollDirection /t REG_DWORD /d 0xFFFFFFFF /f
Summary
Touchpad scrolling behavior in Windows 11 remains completely customizable. Switch between reverse and natural scrolling using the Settings app, or dive into the Registry Editor for a more advanced approach. Both routes put control over hardware response firmly in your hands.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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