FIX: Can’t Disable Touchpad in Windows 10

Plus a special tip to try first

If you use an external pointing device with your Windows 10 laptop, you probably wouldn’t want any unintentional touches or presses on the built-in touchpad to register.Disabling it can help. But rarely, the options that allow you to deactivate the touchpad may not work or appear missing.

So if you can’t disable the touchpad in Windows 10, you can try out alternative settings, registry hacks, and third-party software to deal with the issue.

Tip:Your laptop may have a special key or switch that you can use to deactivate the touchpad. Try checking (and using it) before you begin.

Disable Touchpad in Windows 10 via Settings App

The quickest way to disable your laptop’s touchpad is to useWindows 10’s Settings app. You probably already tried using it and failed. But if you didn’t, go through the steps below now.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. SelectDevices.

  3. SelectTouchpadorMouse & touchpadon the sidebar.

  4. Turn off the switch underTouchpadto deactivate the touchpad.

Alternatively, uncheck the box next toLeave touchpad on when a mouse is connectedoption. That should prompt Windows 10 to disable the touchpad automatically whenever you connect a mouse via USB.

Disable Touchpad via Mouse Properties

If the options to disable the touchpad in the Windows 10Settingsapp appear missing or fail to work, use the touchpad configuration options on theMouse Propertiesapplet instead.

  1. Open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Devices.

  2. SelectTouchpadorMouse & touchpadon the sidebar.

  3. SelectAdditional Settings.

  4. Switch to theDevice Settingstab. On some laptops, the tab may be labeled after the device model (for example,ThinkPad).

  5. Select your touchpad under theDevicessection and selectDisable.

You can also check the box next toDisable internal pointing devices when external USB pointing device is attachedto configure the touchpad to deactivate automatically whenever you connect a mouse via USB or Bluetooth. If you can’t find the option, you can unhide it by modifying the system registry (more on that further below).

Update the Touchpad Drivers

If you can’t use theSettingsapp or theMouse Propertiesdialog box to disable the touchpad in Windows 10, you must update your laptop’s drivers. Visit the manufacturer’s website (Dell,HP,Lenovo, etc.) to download and install them.

You must also update Windows 10. Not only does that help fix any bugs and issues preventing you from deactivating the touchpad, but you also get to install any touchpad-related driver updates released through Microsoft.

  1. Open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Update & Security.

  2. SelectCheck for Updatesto scan for new updates.

  3. SelectDownload and installto install available updates. You must then restart your computer to finish applying them.

Note:If you see an option labeledView optional updates, you might want to check if it contains any additional driver updates for your touchpad.

Once you’ve finished updating the drivers, go through the touchpad options on theSettingsapp or theMouse Propertiesdialog box again and check if they work.

Disable the Touchpad by Modifying the Registry

If the options above still fail to work or appear missing, you can try disabling your laptop’s touchpad by modifying the system registry.

Important:We recommend backing up the system registry before making any changes to it. If any modifications result in additional issues, that should help you restore the registry.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open theRunbox.

  2. Typeregeditand selectOK.

  3. Copy and paste the following path into the Registry Editor’s address bar:

  4. PressEnter.

  5. Double-click the registry entry labeledEnabled.

  6. Enter0as the value and selectOK.

  7. Exit the Registry Editor.

That should deactivate the touchpad. If you want to reactivate it later, go through the steps above again but set theEnabledregistry key’s value to1.

Modify the Registry (Alternative Method)

If theMouse Propertiesdialog box doesn’t allow you to disable the touchpad while you have a mouse connected, the following registry hack should help unhide it. The following only applies to Synaptics touchpads.

  1. Open theRegistry Editor.

  2. Copy and paste the following path and pressEnter:

ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARESynapticsSynTPEnh

  1. Double-click the registry entry labeledDisableIntPDFeature.

  2. SetValue datato33.

  3. SelectOK.

  4. Open theStartmenu and go toSettings>Devices>Touchpad>Additional settings>Device Settings. TheDisable internal pointing devices when external USB pointing device is attachedoption should now be visible.

Disable Touchpad via Device Manager

Another way to disable your laptop’s touchpad in Windows 10 is to use the Device Manager applet.

  1. PressWindows+Xand selectDevice Manager.

  2. ExpandMice and other pointing devices.

  3. Right-click your touchpad driver and selectDisable device.

If you see multiple instances of the genericHID-compliant mousedriver, you might want to disable them one by one until you come across the entry that corresponds with your touchpad.

Disable Touchpad via the BIOS or UEFI

If none of the fixes above worked, you could try disabling the touchpad via theBIOS or UEFI. We strongly recommend going through our guide aboutentering and using the BIOS or UEFI. Then, follow the steps below to disable the touchpad.

  1. Start by entering the BIOS or UEFI on your laptop.

  2. Look under each tab of the BIOS or UEFI for an option such asTouchpadorInternal Pointing Device.

  3. Press theEnterkey and selectDisabled.

  4. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

Disable Touchpad UsingTouchpad Blocker

Third-party utilities exist that can help you disable the touchpad in Windows 10. Touchpad Blocker is a perfect example. It’s a free program that lets you quickly deactivate the touchpad using a simple shortcut (set toCtrl+Alt+F9by default).

Touchpad Blocker is incredibly lightweight and quickly accessible via the system tray. It also features additional options such as the ability to block accidental taps as you type on your laptop’s keyboard, start automatically at system startup, and so on. If the fixes above don’t work or appear too complicated, it’s a good idea to start using the program.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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