How to Use the Pen to Erase Ink in Windows 11
The pen eraser in Windows 11 lets you quickly remove digital ink by simply flipping your stylus.
The top of your stylus acts like a real eraser, letting you delete pen marks directly on your screen. This handy feature works with many pens, including the Surface Pen and other compatible styluses.
To erase, just turn your pen over so the top end touches the screen. Then, swipe across the ink you want to remove.
Flip your digital pen over and rub the screen to erase ink. Ensure the “Use the top of the pen to erase ink” option is enabled in Settings under Pen & Windows ink.
How to set up the eraser in Settings
Setting up your pen’s eraser in Windows 11 is possible through the Settings app. Open Settings, then find ‘Bluetooth & devices’, and click on ‘Pen & Windows ink’ to enable the eraser function for your pen.
- Open the Windows Settings app by clicking the Start menu or pressing ⊞ Win+I.
- Click on Bluetooth & devices in the left menu.
- Select the Pen & Windows ink tile on the right.
- Click to expand Additional pen settings.
- Check the box that says Use the top of the pen to erase ink when it’s available.
Close the Settings app when you are finished.
Mastering the ‘Scratch Out’ Gesture
If your pen lacks a physical eraser, you can still remove ink in Windows 11 using the ‘Scratch Out’ gesture.
Troubleshooting Pen Connectivity
If your pen eraser isn't working, try these steps:
- Check Battery: A low battery often disables the top button first.
- Re-pair: Go to Bluetooth settings, remove the device, and pair it again.
- Update Drivers: Open Device Manager, find your Human Interface Devices, and update the pen driver.
How to set up the eraser using the Registry Editor
For those comfortable with advanced system adjustments, setting up the pen eraser in Windows 11 via the Registry Editor is an option. This method requires admin rights and careful execution. You'll open the Registry Editor, navigate to a specific folder, and then make changes to activate the eraser.
- Open the Windows Registry by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Go to this location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Pen\SysEventParameters - If you do not see the
SysEventParametersfolder, right-click the Pen folder, select New, and create a key namedSysEventParameters.
- Right-click in the empty space on the right side, select New, then select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it
EraseEnable. - Double-click
EraseEnable, set the Base to Decimal, and enter1in the Value data box.
- Restart your computer to save the changes.
Reference: Microsoft Support
Summary
In Windows 11, you can remove ink using your pen's physical eraser, the 'Scratch Out' gesture, or by configuring it in Settings or the Registry Editor.
[…] Windows lets you pair the pen with your device via Bluetooth. Once your pen is connected, you can use it to write or click on your screen. You can also customize your pen settings, such as choosing your writing hand or what happens when you hold down the pen’s shortcut button. […]