How to Enable and Disable Touchscreen Features in Windows

Touchscreen functionality on Windows devices can significantly enhance usability, especially on convertible laptops and tablets. However, there are times when you may want to disable it, particularly if ghost touches or accidental touches become problematic. Fortunately, enabling and disabling the touchscreen in Windows is a straightforward process. In this guide, we’ll show you how to do it step by step.

1. Why You Might Want to Enable or Disable Touchscreen

Depending on your usage scenario, you may find enabling or disabling the touchscreen useful:

• Disabling it can prevent accidental touches during presentations or when using a stylus.
• Enabling it allows for more interactive and hands-on use, especially in tablet mode.
• It helps resolve touchscreen issues like ghost touches by temporarily disabling the feature.

2. How to Enable Touchscreen in Windows

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".
2. Locate the "Human Interface Devices" section and expand it.
3. Find "HID-compliant touch screen" in the list.
4. Right-click and select "Enable device".
5. Restart your computer if prompted.

Your touchscreen should now be enabled and fully functional. Test it by tapping the screen to ensure responsiveness.

3. How to Disable Touchscreen in Windows

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Press Win + X and select "Device Manager".
2. Expand "Human Interface Devices".
3. Right-click on "HID-compliant touch screen".
4. Select "Disable device" from the context menu.
5. Confirm your choice when prompted.

This will immediately disable touchscreen functionality. You can re-enable it using the same steps.

4. Troubleshooting Touchscreen Issues

Touchscreen Not Appearing in Device Manager

• Ensure your device actually supports touchscreen functionality.
• Update Windows to the latest version to ensure driver compatibility.
• Restart your computer to refresh device configurations.

Touchscreen Not Working Even When Enabled

• Update or reinstall touchscreen drivers via Device Manager.
• Perform a calibration using "Tablet PC Settings" in the Control Panel.
• Run the Windows Troubleshooter to diagnose hardware issues.

5. Using Third-Party Tools to Manage Touchscreen Features

If manually toggling the touchscreen becomes a hassle, consider using software like NirSoft DevManView to quickly enable or disable devices from the desktop.

6. Final Thoughts

Managing touchscreen functionality on Windows is simple once you know where to look. Whether you want to enable it for better interaction or disable it to prevent accidental touches, following these steps will help you get the job done efficiently. For more technical assistance, visit the Microsoft Support page.