How to Turn On or Off Tap Twice and Drag on Touchpad to Multi-Select in Windows 11
Tap twice and drag on your Windows 11 touchpad is a shortcut that lets you highlight text or grab multiple files without holding down a click. You activate this gesture by tapping your touchpad twice in a row, keeping your finger down on the second tap, and sliding across the surface.
Most Windows 11 laptops with precision touchpads support this handy feature. Turning it off stops accidental highlighting when you brush your palm against the pad, while turning it on speeds up how you select items on screen.
Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad, expand Taps, and check or uncheck “Tap twice and drag to multi-select.” This gesture allows you to select multiple items by tapping and dragging on your touchpad.
Turn On or Off Tap Twice and Drag Using Settings
The Settings app provides a quick toggle for this gesture. This option lets you select multiple files or items by double-tapping your touchpad and then moving your finger. Open Settings by pressing the Win and I together. Click ‘Bluetooth & devices’ on the left side and select ‘Touchpad’ on the right.- Open Settings by pressing
Win+I. - Click on Bluetooth & devices on the left side. Then click on Touchpad on the right side. (See screenshot below)
- Click on Taps to expand the section. (See screenshot below step 4)
- Check the box (on – default) or uncheck the box (off) next to Tap twice and drag to multi-select based on what you want. (See screenshot below)
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two
Turn On or Off Tap Twice and Drag Using Registry
Registry Editor (a database for advanced Windows configurations) offers a command-line alternative for this adjustment. To set the tap and drag feature to its default, enabled state, use the command: reg add "🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
This is the default setting.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad" /v TapAndDrag /t REG_DWORD /d 4294967295 /f
To turn it off:
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad" /v TapAndDrag /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Summary
Control the ‘Tap twice and drag’ feature on your Windows 11 touchpad. Use Settings for a convenient approach, or the Registry if you prefer command-line methods. The feature remains active by default, though you can turn it off anytime depending on your workflow.
How to drag with touchpad 🪟 Windows 11?
How do you drag with the touchpad in Windows 11?
Double-tap the touchpad, but do not lift your finger after the second tap. The file will then 'stick' to your pointer until you move your finger.
How to turn on touchpad tap to click 🪟 Windows 11?
How do you turn on touchpad tap-to-click in Windows 11?
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Toggle the touchpad option to turn it off and on. Then everything is set to use.
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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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