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To adjust your touchpad in Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. There, you can change cursor speed and available gesture actions. The exact controls depend on your PC, touchpad capability, and manufacturer software.

Change touchpad sensitivity and scrolling

  1. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad.
  2. Look through the controls shown on the Touchpad page. If your device provides a cursor-speed slider, move it to make the pointer respond faster or slower to touchpad movement.
  3. If available, change the scrolling direction or other touchpad options to your preference.

Windows and device makers do not expose one universal sensitivity scale. Microsoft documents cursor-speed and scrolling-direction controls for Surface touchpads, but available options vary by Surface type. Other PCs may show different controls or provide additional settings through their manufacturer’s touchpad software. See Microsoft’s Surface touchpad use and settings.

Customize three- and four-finger gestures

  1. On the Touchpad settings page, expand Three-finger gestures or Four-finger gestures, if those sections are present.
  2. Choose an action from the available drop-down menus for the gesture you want to change.

Windows’ standard touchpad gestures include two-finger scrolling and pinch-to-zoom. A two-finger tap or pressing the lower-right area of the touchpad can open additional commands. Three-finger swipes can show open windows, show the desktop, or switch apps and windows; four-finger swipes can switch desktops. The available actions depend on the device and its settings. Microsoft notes that “Some of these touchpad gestures only work with precision touchpads.” See Touch gestures for Windows.

Stop a three-finger tap from opening Search

If tapping with three fingers opens Windows Search and you do not want it to, return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Three-finger gestures. Change the tap action to Nothing or another preferred action, if that control is available. Microsoft describes this remedy in Prevent Windows Search from randomly launching.

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#1 Best Overall
Sale
Logitech M185 Compact Ambidextrous Wireless Mouse with Rubber Grips - Blue
  • Compact Mouse: With a comfortable and contoured shape, this Logitech ambidextrous wireless mouse feels great in either right or left hand and is far superior to a touchpad
  • Durable and Reliable: This USB wireless mouse features a line-by-line scroll wheel, up to 1 year of battery life (2) thanks to a smart sleep mode function, and comes with the included AA battery
  • Universal Compatibility: Your Logitech mouse works with your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop, so no matter what type of computer you own today or buy tomorrow your mouse will be compatible
  • Plug and Play Simplicity: Just plug in the tiny nano USB receiver and start working in seconds with a strong, reliable connection to your wireless computer mouse up to 33 feet / 10 m (5)
  • Better than touchpad: Get more done by adding M185 to your laptop; according to a recent study, laptop users who chose this mouse over a touchpad were 50% more productive (3) and worked 30% faster (4)

What to do when the controls are missing

  • Check for precision-touchpad support. Some gestures and customization options are available only on precision touchpads, so their absence may reflect your device’s capabilities.
  • Check the manufacturer’s touchpad software. A PC maker may expose additional touchpad settings outside Windows’ main Touchpad page.
  • Use the settings your device does provide. Options vary by model; Microsoft’s Surface guidance, for example, says available controls depend on the Surface type.

For non-precision touchpads, Microsoft points users to additional settings and the manufacturer’s support resources. Your device maker’s documentation is the best place to confirm which controls apply to your PC.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 5
Amazon Basics 2.4 GHz Wireless Optical Computer Mouse with USB Nano Receiver, Portable, No Wires, Smooth Tracking, Multi-Device Compatibility, Black
Amazon Basics 2.4 GHz Wireless Optical Computer Mouse with USB Nano Receiver, Portable, No Wires, Smooth Tracking, Multi-Device Compatibility, Black
2.4 GHz wireless (not Bluetooth) provides a powerful, reliable connection; Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10
$13.50
Best Value
Amazon Basics 2.4 GHz Wireless Optical Computer Mouse with USB Nano Receiver, Portable, No Wires, Smooth Tracking, Multi-Device Compatibility, Black
  • Smooth, precise and affordable wireless optical 3-button mouse with USB nano receiver for laptop, desktop and netbook PCs
  • 2.4 GHz wireless (not Bluetooth) provides a powerful, reliable connection
  • Nano-receiver stays in the PC USB port or stows conveniently inside the wireless mouse when not in use (note: Receiver is stored within the mouse from production and needs to be removed upon setup)
  • Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10
  • Easy installation - refer to user manual for instructions
Rank #4
Sale
Logitech M240 Compact Silent Bluetooth Wireless Mouse - Graphite
  • Pair and Play: With fast, easy Bluetooth wireless technology, you’re connected in seconds to this quiet cordless mouse —no dongle or port required
  • Less Noise, More Focus: Silent mouse with 90% reduced click sound and the same click feel, eliminating noise and distractions for you and others around you (1)
  • Long-Lasting Battery Life: Up to 18-month battery life with an energy-efficient auto sleep feature, so you can go longer between battery changes (2)
  • Comfortable, Travel-Friendly Design: Small enough to toss in a bag; this slim and ambidextrous portable compact mouse guides either your right or left hand into a natural position
  • Long-Range: Reliable, long-range Bluetooth wireless mouse works up to 10m/33 feet away from your computer (3)
Rank #3
Logitech M510 Full Size Ambidextrous 2.4 GHz Wireless Mouse
  • Your hand can relax in comfort hour after hour with this ergonomically designed mouse. Its contoured shape with soft rubber grips, gently curved sides and broad palm area give you the support you need for effortless control all day long.
  • You’ve got the control to do more, faster. Flipping through photo albums and Web pages is a breeze, especially for right-handers—with three standard buttons plus Back/Forward buttons that you can also program to switch applications, go full screen and more. And side-to-side scrolling plus zoom gives you the power to scroll horizontally and vertically through your music library, maps and Facebook feeds, and zoom in and out of photos and budget spreadsheets with a click.* * Requires Logitech SetPoint software (Windows) or Logitech Control Center software (Mac OS X)
  • Two years of battery life practically eliminates the need to replace batteries. ** The On/Off switch helps conserve power, smart sleep mode extends battery life and an indicator light eliminates surprises. ** Battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions.
  • The tiny Logitech Unifying receiver stays in your laptop. There’s no need to unplug it when you move around, so there’s less worry of it being lost. And you can easily add compatible wireless mice and keyboards to the same wireless receiver.
Rank #2
Sale
Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse - Black
  • The next-generation optical HERO sensor delivers incredible performance and up to 10x the power efficiency over previous generations, with 400 IPS precision and up to 12,000 DPI sensitivity
  • Ultra-fast LIGHTSPEED wireless technology gives you a lag-free gaming experience, delivering incredible responsiveness and reliability with 1 ms report rate for competition-level performance
  • G305 wireless mouse boasts an incredible 250 hours of continuous gameplay on just 1 AA battery; switch to Endurance mode via Logitech G HUB software and extend battery life up to 9 months
  • Wireless does not have to mean heavy, G305 lightweight mouse provides high maneuverability coming in at only 3.4 oz thanks to efficient lightweight mechanical design and ultra-efficient battery usage
  • The durable, compact design with built-in nano receiver storage makes G305 not just a great portable desktop mouse, but also a great laptop travel companion, use with a gaming laptop and play anywhere

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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