Touchpad Gestures for Windows 11
Do you want to move around your Windows 11 computer faster and easier? Using touchpad gestures can help! A touchpad gesture means moving your fingers on the touchpad in a certain way to make your computer do things quickly.
Here is a simple guide to the most useful touchpad gestures you can try right now.
Use two fingers to scroll, zoom, or open the right-click menu. Swipe with three fingers to see all windows, your desktop, or switch apps. Swipe with four fingers to change virtual desktops. You can customize these in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.
Check if Your Laptop Supports These Gestures
Some gestures only work if your laptop has a precision touchpad. To check if yours does:
- Click the Start button (Windows icon).
- Open Settings (or press ⊞ Win+I on your keyboard).
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.
- If you see options for gestures here, congratulations — you have a precision touchpad!
Basic Touchpad Gestures You Can Use
| What You Want to Do | How to Do It (Gesture) |
|---|---|
| Select or open something | Tap once on the touchpad with one finger |
| Scroll up, down, or sideways | Put two fingers on the touchpad and slide them up/down or left/right |
| Zoom in or out (like on photos or webpages) | Put two fingers on the touchpad and pinch them together (zoom out) or spread them apart (zoom in) |
| Open right-click menu (extra options) | Tap with two fingers or press the lower-right corner of the touchpad |
| See all open windows | Swipe up with three fingers on the touchpad |
| See your desktop (hide all windows) | Swipe down with three fingers on the touchpad |
| Switch between open apps or windows | Swipe left or right with three fingers |
| Switch between different desktops | Swipe left or right with four fingers |
Quick Tips
- Try these gestures slowly at first to get used to how they work.
- You can customize gestures in the Touchpad settings (see above) to make them work best for you.
- If a gesture doesn’t work, check your touchpad settings or your laptop’s manual.
More Help and Information
Want to learn more? Microsoft has great guides with pictures and videos:
- Touch gestures for Windows (Microsoft Support)
- Surface touchpad use and settings (Microsoft Support)
How do I turn on touchpad gestures in 🪟 Windows 11?
On the Windows device, right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > Devices > Touchpad. In the Touchpad window, use the drop-down menus in the Three-finger gestures and Four-finger gestures sections to customize the gesture action.
What are the three and four finger touch gestures on 🪟 Windows 11?
To show only the Windows desktop, swipe down on the screen using three fingers. If you swipe with three fingers to the left or right, this will switch to the last app opened. Swipe four fingers to the left or right to switch between virtual desktops.
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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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