This post provides steps for enabling or disabling the Touchpad on laptops running Windows 11. A user may want to disable the Touchpad to avoid accidental cursor movements during typing. The Touchpad can be toggled on or off via a dedicated button on some laptops, while Windows 11 also allows disabling or enabling through System Settings or Device Manager.
This post shows students and new users steps to turn on or off the Touchpad on laptops running Windows 11. Some laptops have touchpads that add the same functionality as a mouse without needing an external mouse. If you have an external mouse and don’t need the Touchpad enabled, you can simply turn it off with a few clicks on Windows 11.
A user might want to disable the Touchpad because of accidental movement of the mouse pointer or cursor with the palm while typing. You may want the Touchpad disabled when using the internal keyboard on your laptop.
Have you been in a situation where you are using the laptop keyboard, and your palm accidentally touches the Touchpad, and the Mouse flies around on your screen? Well, you can make that stop in Windows 11.
Some laptops have a button near the top of the Touchpad that lets you quickly enable and disable the Touchpad. You can toggle the Touchpad off and on with that button. On Dell laptops, there’s an amble light at the top left corner that one can double tab to enable or disable the Touchpad quickly.
Also, ensure your laptop has no FN key to disable or enable.
If your laptop doesn’t have a button or a way to quickly turn the Touchpad on or off, use the steps below.
Follow the steps below to start turning the Touchpad on or off laptops.
How to turn off laptop touchpad when using Windows 11
For those who want to disable the Touchpad on laptops running Windows 11, the steps below should help them.
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 and search for Settings. Then select to open it.
Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, and select Touchpad on the right pane of your screen shown in the image below.
On the Touchpad settings pane, Toggle the button to the Off position to disable the Touchpad. Once the Touchpad is disabled, you need an external mouse or even your keyboard to navigate in Windows 11.
How to disable touchpads from Device Manager
Another way to disable or enable the touchpads on laptops computer is by using Device Manager. To do that, click the Start button and search for Device Manager. Select to open the Device Manager app.
In Device Manager, expand Mouse and other pointing devices, then right-click on the HID-compliant mouse and select Disable device as highlighted below.
How to enable the Touchpad when using Windows 11
If you change your mind about disabling the Touchpad above, simply re-enable it by reversing the above steps.
Click on the Start menu to Settings ==> Bluetooth & device ==> click on Touchpad and toggle the button to turn the Touchpad on or off to the On position to enable.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to turn the Touchpad on or off when using Windows 11. Please use our comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.
Hello! I have a ZenBook 14 and this doesn’t work. I have no option for a touchscreen under settings. It just all of a sudden stopped working and I can’t get it back.
where is the toggle button? in Touchpad lane
Haaa… Easy… if you have a Enable/Disable button visible. I don’t have it. I just uninstalled device. But this worked and my MSI shortcuts for Disable/Enable Touchpad works correct now.
Nope. Doesn’t work on new HP Laptop (windows 11). Under Device Manger / Mice and other pointers / ELAN Clickpad there is not an option to disable. Only uninstall. But that would render it a permanent solution for an annoying touchpad problem, right?
This works for me on my Windows 11 laptop:
How to open touchpad without attached mouse in Windows 11
Press Windows followed by the letter letter i
Highlight Bluetooth + tap Enter
Tap Tab button til you get to Devices in right column
Now use down arrow to get to Touchpad
Use Spacebar to switch toggled touchpad on/off switch to On.