How to Turn On or Off Scroll Inactive Windows in Windows 11
Scroll inactive windows in Windows 11 lets you scroll content in apps you aren’t actively using. This handy feature, available since Windows 10, allows you to scroll through background windows just by hovering your mouse over them.
You can easily turn this scroll inactive windows setting on or off. It’s located within the Windows 11 Settings app.
When scroll inactive windows is turned on, you can scroll through an app that’s open but not selected. Simply move your mouse cursor over that background app’s window, and you can scroll its content without having to click it first.
Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then Mouse. Find “Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them” and toggle it On or Off. This setting lets you scroll background windows without clicking them.
Turn On or Off Scroll Inactive Windows in Settings
- Open Settings by pressing ⊞ Win+I on your keyboard.
- Click Bluetooth & devices on the left side.
- Click Mouse on the right side.
This setting lets you scroll through windows you aren’t actively using by moving your mouse wheel over them. To change this setting, open the Settings app, navigate to "Bluetooth & devices," then click "Mouse." From there, you can enable or disable the scroll inactive windows setting.
- Find the option Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them.
- Turn it On (this is the default) or Off based on what you want.
- Close Settings when you’re done.
Option Two
Turn On or Off Scroll Inactive Windows Using Command Line
- Open Windows Terminal.
- Select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
- Copy and paste one of the commands below and press Enter.
Turning scroll inactive windows on or off in Windows 11 is also possible via the command line. Open Windows Terminal (a command-line interface) and choose either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt. Copy and paste one of the following commands, then press Enter.
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /V MouseWheelRouting /T REG_DWORD /d 2 /FTo Turn Off:
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /V MouseWheelRouting /T REG_DWORD /d 0 /FThat’s it! Your setting will take effect right away.
Summary
Knowing how to control scrolling inactive windows in Windows 11 gives you more flexibility when managing multiple open applications.
How do I scroll inactive windows in 🪟 Windows 11?
Search for "Settings" on the Windows 11 Taskbar’s search bar. Enable the "Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them" toggle button. Click on the app’s window and scroll the content within the app (sometimes called a ListView).
How do I turn off scroll inactive windows?
Press ⊞ Win+I or find Settings using the Start menu search bar. On the left pane, select Bluetooth & devices. On the right pane, click Mouse. Under the Scrolling section, find the Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them option.
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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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