Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To scroll on most laptops, place two fingers on the touchpad and slide them up or down; on many touchpads, you can also slide left or right to scroll horizontally. If the direction or speed feels wrong—or the gesture does not work—you can check your operating system’s touchpad settings or use a connected mouse.
Scroll with a Windows laptop touchpad
Place two fingers on the touchpad and slide them vertically to move through a page. Slide horizontally to scroll sideways where an app or page supports it. Gesture availability can vary; Microsoft notes that some touchpad gestures require a precision touchpad.
In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad to check whether the touchpad is enabled and review the options available on your device. Microsoft documents a separate, older settings path for Windows 10. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so its settings may be less relevant on supported current systems.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scroll with a Mac trackpad
Slide two fingers up or down on the trackpad. To review trackpad settings, open Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad. There you can find the Natural scrolling option; Apple describes it as moving window contents in the same direction as your fingers. Turn it off if you prefer the opposite direction.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy to Use: 2 Buttons external touch pad with a plug and play feature; No driver needed
- Multi-touch Gestures: with 7 features such as one finger slide, one finger touch, 2 finger tap, double click, tag and drop, vertical scroll, and zoom in/out
- Durable USB Cable: Wired touch pad with 5 foot and 3 inches long durable cable
- Compact Design: Small and Light portable touch pad with a dimension of 3.39 x 2.95 x 0.43 inch
- OS : Windows 7, 8, and 10
Adjust scrolling speed or turn scrolling off on a Mac
For additional scrolling controls, open Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad Options. Depending on the Mac, these options can include enabling or disabling scrolling, adjusting scroll speed, and choosing whether to use inertia—the continued movement after you finish a gesture.
The available controls depend on the Mac and its software. If you do not see an option described here, check the settings available on your device.
Rank #2
- MULTI-TOUCH GESTURES: Wireless trackpad offers multi-touch control with up to four finger gestures and built-in left and right mouse buttons
- DUAL DEVICE CONTROL: Connects two devices at a time via Bluetooth; press the mode switch button to jump between the two devices
- SLIM DESIGN: Slim portable design with colored indicator lights for enhanced functionality
- RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: USB-C port for recharging the lithium battery
- DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with Windows OS; not compatible with macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux
Use a mouse instead of the touchpad
A connected mouse is another way to scroll. A mouse with a wheel lets you move through content by turning the wheel; the exact controls depend on the mouse and operating system. On Mac, Apple documents scroll-speed controls for a connected mouse under Accessibility > Pointer Control > Mouse Options. Microsoft also describes Surface touchpad buttons as working like a mouse.
Choose the input method that suits your needs: a touchpad gesture avoids a separate device, while a mouse wheel provides a physical control. Whether a particular gesture or adjustment is available depends on the laptop, operating system, and input device.
Rank #3
- Magic Trackpad is wireless and rechargeable, and it includes the full range of Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch technology.
- Sensors underneath the trackpad surface detect subtle differences in the amount of pressure you apply, bringing more functionality to your fingertips and enabling a deeper connection to your content.
- It features a large edge-to-edge glass surface area, making scrolling and swiping through your favourite content more productive and comfortable than ever.
- Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
- The rechargeable battery will power it for about a month or more between charges.
Try these checks if touchpad scrolling does not work
- Confirm the gesture: Put two fingers on the touchpad at the same time, then slide them vertically. Try horizontal movement only in content that supports sideways scrolling.
- Check that the touchpad is enabled: On Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. On a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad.
- Review the device’s available options: Some Windows gestures require a precision touchpad, and options vary by hardware and software. If the control or gesture is not listed, it may not be supported by that device.
- Try another input method: If you have a mouse available, connect it and use its scroll control to determine whether scrolling works with that device.
Accessibility options for pointer input
On a Mac, Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control includes Mouse Keys. This feature lets you move the pointer and press the mouse button using the keyboard or numeric keypad. It is an alternative for controlling the pointer, not a universal keyboard shortcut for scrolling in every app or operating system.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
Rank #4
- Windows 10/11 Only: The T1 Plus wireless trackpad is designed exclusively for Windows 11 and Windows 10 (PC, laptop, desktop), Not compatible with Mac, Chrome OS, or Linux. Using it on unsupported systems may cause: Missing or malfunctioning gestures and Repeated Bluetooth disconnections and reconnections
- Bluetooth Connection Only – No USB Receiver or wired mode: Connects to up to 3 devices simultaneously via three Bluetooth channels, and Press the mode switch button to jump between laptop, PC, or tablet, The Type-c charging cable is only for charging and cannot be connected to a computer to achieve wired touch function
- Type‑C Fast Charging: Built‑in 500mAh rechargeable battery, Up to 50 hours of use on a full charge, Use the included Type‑C cable for quick charging and the charging cable is for charging only – does not support wired touchpad mode
- Adjust Cursor Speed: This trackpad does not have a built‑in DPI adjustment. To change cursor speed: Go to Windows Settings → Bluetooth & other devices → Touchpad→ Modify "Cursor speed" in the system settings, Tip: Test small incremental changes to find your ideal speed for productivity
- Extra Large Metal Touchpad: 6.4-inch large touchscreen, measuring 6.4*4.8*0.4 inches, combined with an ultra-smooth surface, provides a more comfortable and efficient user experience for performing a variety of operations
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.
