Windows 10 Touchpad Gestures: A How-To Guide
Enhanced Trackpad Gestures in Windows 10
The trackpad experience in Windows 8 included edge swipes designed to activate the charms bar and perform actions largely irrelevant to typical desktop users.
Microsoft significantly revised these gestures with the release of Windows 10, making them genuinely beneficial for those working on desktop computers.
A Mac-Inspired Approach
These updated gestures are frequently described as "Mac-like" due to their practicality and ease of use.
The similarity to Mac trackpad gestures stems from their inherent usefulness, encouraging frequent application for desktop navigation.
Users will find themselves actively incorporating these gestures into their workflow, streamlining interaction with the operating system.
This represents a substantial improvement over the previous iteration, which often felt intrusive and unnecessary for many Windows users.
Is Your Computer Compatible with These Gestures?
Related: A guide to utilizing trackpad gestures on your Macbook.
Not every laptop running Windows 10 will support these gesture controls. Newer Windows 10 machines are generally equipped to handle them.
A "Precision Touchpad" is a technical requirement for this functionality. To determine if your PC possesses a precision touchpad, navigate to the Settings application. Select "Devices," then choose "Mouse & touchpad." Look for the statement "Your PC has a precision touchpad" within the "Touchpad" section.
Simply installing a new driver will not activate this capability. The PC manufacturer must adhere to Microsoft’s precision touchpad specifications and obtain Microsoft certification. These specifications were first introduced with Windows 8.1, meaning some upgraded Windows 10 PCs are compatible.
Further enhancements were included in Windows 8.1 Update 2.
The reason for these limitations stems from control. Apple maintains strict control over the touchpads used in MacBooks, ensuring consistent performance. Microsoft lacks this level of control over Windows PC hardware. Historically, the quality of touchpads on Windows PCs has varied considerably.
Many older touchpads were adequate for cursor movement but lacked the precision needed for accurate multi-finger gesture recognition. This prevents accidental gesture activations during normal cursor operation.
Microsoft does not mandate that PC manufacturers include a precision touchpad, resulting in a lack of this feature on some Windows 10 computers.
Utilizing Touchpad Gestures in Windows 10
The following gestures are available for use if your computer is equipped with a precision touchpad.
- Single-Tap Click: A left-click can be executed by a simple tap on the touchpad surface. Physical pressing or button clicks are not required.
- Right-Click Functionality: Instead of a left-click, a right-click can be initiated by tapping the touchpad with two fingers. Alternatively, a single-finger tap in the lower-right corner achieves the same result.
- Drag and Drop Operation: To simulate the action of clicking and holding while moving an item, perform a quick double-tap and then move your finger. Release your finger when the desired position is reached.
- Scrolling Navigation: For scrolling through documents, web pages, or other content, position two fingers on the touchpad and move them in a vertical or horizontal direction.
Further Reading: A Guide to Employing Virtual Desktops in Windows 10
- Zoom Control: Zooming in or out can be accomplished by placing two fingers on the touchpad and either pinching them together (to zoom out) or stretching them apart (to zoom in), mirroring the action on a touchscreen.
- Task View Activation: The Task View interface, which displays open windows and virtual desktops, can be opened by placing three fingers on the touchpad and swiping upwards. Selecting a window is done by moving the cursor and tapping the touchpad. A downward swipe with three fingers exits Task View.
- Desktop Visibility: To temporarily hide open windows and reveal the desktop, place three fingers on the touchpad and swipe downwards. Swiping upwards with three fingers restores the minimized windows.
- Window Switching: Switching between currently open windows, similar to using Alt+Tab, is possible by placing three fingers on the touchpad and swiping either to the left or to the right.
- Cortana or Action Center Access: A quick three-finger tap activates Cortana. However, within the touchpad settings, this gesture can be reconfigured to instead open the Action Center, providing access to notifications and quick settings.
Customizing Touchpad Gestures
The configuration of these gestures is accessible through the Settings app, specifically within the Mouse and touchpad section. Each gesture can be individually deactivated if desired, though all are activated by default.
Beyond simply enabling or disabling gestures, a choice can be made regarding the function triggered by a three-finger tap – whether it launches Cortana or the Action Center. Currently, these are the only configurable options available for these gestures.
Additional settings, such as cursor speed and automatic touchpad disabling when an external mouse is connected, are also manageable from this location.
It is intended that this is how the system functions.
However, some computer manufacturers might opt to deviate from Microsoft’s precision touchpad specifications to reduce costs.
They may instead include their own drivers and utilities that enable comparable touchpad gestures.
If your computer doesn't indicate it possesses a precision touchpad in the settings, but some gestures are still operational, you will need to locate a touchpad settings utility on your system.
From this utility, you can then discover and manage your touchpad’s gestures.
For those prioritizing an optimal touchpad experience on Windows 10, verifying the presence of a precision touchpad before a purchase is recommended.
Image Source: N i c o l a on Flickr
