Introduction
The touch screen interface in Windows 11 is great if you’re using the operating system on a tablet. But if you have a Windows 11 laptop with a touch screen, it can be a bit of a pain. Because while it sounds cool in concept, most people don’t ever use the touch screen feature on a laptop, and they stick with the device’s touchpad or an external mouse. Additionally, even if you don’t use it, the touch screen feature can go bonkers. For example, if the screen malfunctions and thinks you’re touching it in a specific location, you can be forced to restart your computer because you won’t be able to move your mouse anywhere other than the location where your computer thinks you’re holding your finger. If you get to the point where you’d just rather turn off the Windows 11 touch screen feature, you can do so through the Device Manager with the following steps. These steps will be the same for all laptop and desktop computer manufacturers, including HP, Asus, Dell, and Lenovo.
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Steps to Disable Touchscreen in Windows 11
- Right-click the “Windows” logo on your computer’s taskbar to open a menu, and then click “Device Manager.”
- Click to expand the options for your computer if they aren’t expanded already, and then find Human Interface Device in this list.
- Click to expand “Human Interface Devices.” You’ll see a list of these devices.
- Find HID-Compliant Touch Screen in this list, and then right-click that option to open a context menu.
- Click “Disable Device” in the context menu. A dialog box appears, informing you that disabling this device will cause it to stop functioning. Click “Yes” to verify that you really want to disable it. The dialog box will close, and you’ll now see a down-pointing arrow appear over the icon to the left of HID-Compliant Touch Screen. Your Windows touch screen is now disabled. You can turn on your Windows touch screen again at any time by right-clicking “HID-Compliant Touch Screen,” and then clicking “Enable Device.” The Device Manager will briefly refresh, and you’ll see the down-pointing arrow is no longer covering the icon to the left of HID-Compliant Touch Screen, indicating that the feature has successfully been turned back on.
3 Reasons to Disable Touchscreen on Windows 11 Computer
1. Better Battery Life
Touchscreen monitors are notorious for draining device batteries on Windows laptops. If you’re working on a laptop with a low battery, disabling the touchscreen is a great way to make the battery life stretch a little bit further.
2. Prevent Accidental Input
It’s almost impossible to avoid accidentally bumping or touching your monitor. The downside when you have a touchscreen monitor is that when you do this you can accidentally delete or move files, or change your system settings. Whether you find yourself regularly causing problems by accidentally touching your touchscreen, or you just want to avoid the risk, there’s no shame in turning the touchscreen off.
3. Reduce Distractions
Some people just can’t help but play with the touchscreen on their Windows 11 computer. If you’re one of those people who’s having a hard time getting work done because you’re fiddling with your touchscreen, you may want to turn off the touchscreen and switch back to using your old mouse.
7 Common Windows 11 Touchscreen Problems
1. Calibration Issues
Calibration problems are one of the most common issues with Windows 11 touchscreens. The touch screen may not respond accurately to your touch inputs, causing frustration and decreased productivity. To fix this issue, you can try recalibrating the screen through the settings menu, or by using third-party software.
2. Driver Conflicts
Driver conflicts can cause major problems with your Windows 11 touchscreen. If the drivers installed on your device aren’t compatible with the touchscreen, it may not work as expected. To resolve this issue, you need to find and install the right drivers for your device.
3. Touchscreen Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a touchscreen can make a big difference in its usability. If the touch screen is too sensitive, it may register inputs when you don’t want it to. On the other hand, if the touch screen isn’t sensitive enough, you may need to press it multiple times to get the desired result. To fix this issue, you can adjust the touch screen sensitivity in the settings menu.
4. Ghost Touches
Ghost touches are a frustrating issue with Windows 11 touchscreens. The screen may register phantom touches, causing unwanted inputs and disrupting your workflow. To fix this issue, you can try recalibrating the screen or disabling touch input while you’re not using it.
5. Touchscreen Not Responding
When your Windows 11 touchscreen isn’t responding to your touch inputs, it can be a major problem. To resolve this issue, you can try restarting your device, recalibrating the screen, or updating the drivers.
6. Display Problems
Display problems can be a major issue with Windows 11 touchscreens. If the display is distorted or showing other visual artifacts, it can be difficult to use the touchscreen effectively. To resolve this issue, you can try updating the drivers, recalibrating the screen, or replacing the display.
7. Multi-Touch Issues
Multi-touch gestures can be a great feature, but if they aren’t working as expected, it can be frustrating. To resolve this issue, you can try recalibrating the screen, updating the drivers, or disabling multi-touch gestures.
