How to Enable or Disable Ignore Touch Input when using Pen in Windows 11
Ignoring touch input when using a pen in Windows 11 stops accidental palm marks and finger taps from ruining your digital handwriting or sketching. Windows 11 includes a built-in setting that turns off your screen’s touch response the moment your pen gets close, so your hand can rest naturally on the glass.
Stray touches often ruin creative work and note-taking. Turning on this feature solves that frustration completely.
Go to Settings Bluetooth & devices Pen & Windows Ink Additional pen settings. Check or uncheck the box next to “Ignore touch input when I’m using my pen” to enable or disable it. This prevents accidental touches from interfering with your pen.
What is a Touchscreen?
Resting your palm on the screen often triggers stray marks while drawing or taking notes.
Why Use This Feature?
Enabling the “Ignore touch input when I’m using my pen” setting blocks the display from registering finger contact. Handwriting and sketching become much cleaner when palm contact stops causing erratic cursor jumps.
Option 1Use Settings
- Open Settings by pressing
Win+I. - Click on Bluetooth & devices on the left side.
- Click on Pen & Windows Ink on the right side. (see image below)
- Click on Additional pen settings to expand it.
- Check the box next to Ignore touch input when I’m using my pen to turn it on. Uncheck it to turn it off. (see image below)
Close Settings when done.
Option 2Use Registry
⚠️ REQUIRES ADMIN PRIVILEGES
Open the Terminal app as administrator and run the commands below.
Enable Ignore Touch Input when using Pen
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Pen" /v PenArbitrationType /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Disable Ignore Touch Input when using Pen
This restores the default behavior.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\Pen" /v PenArbitrationType /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
Summary
Wrapping things up, the Settings app offers the quickest path to toggle this behavior. Command-line alternatives via the Windows Registry (a hierarchical database storing system configuration settings) cater to advanced administrators. Both approaches stop unwanted touch registration during pen sessions.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
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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