Touchpad (also known as a trackpad) has been around for over two decades now but the fact is most laptops that ship with Windows don’t offer great touchpad experience. Only a handful number of Windows laptops ship with a good quality touchpad. It’s because of this reason, most users plug in a mouse while using a laptop for productive work.
If you’re the kind of user who prefers connecting a mouse to your laptop to get the job done, you might want to disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected to the laptop.
While some notebooks ship with a tiny physical button to quickly enable or disable the touchpad, most of the notebooks don’t include this functionality. In order to turn off the touchpad, you need to either use a third-party tool or disable the touchpad under Device Manager.
Follow one of the given below methods to completely disable the touchpad on a laptop running Windows 10.
WARNING: If you don’t have a mouse nearby, please don’t attempt to disable the touchpad using one of these methods, as once the touchpad is disabled, you’ll need a mouse to work on the machine. Also, you need to connect a mouse (not required if you know how to navigate to the Device Manager and enable the touchpad using the keyboard) in order to enable the previously disabled touchpad. And if you’re on a Mac, please follow our how to disable MacBook’s trackpad guide.
Tip: If you want to automatically turn off the touchpad when a mouse is connected, refer to our how to turn off the touchpad when a mouse is connected guide.
The following directions are applicable to Windows 10. However, some of them might work on Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7 as well.
Disable the touchpad from Settings in Windows 10
If your laptop is equipped with a precision touchpad, you can turn on or off the touchpad from within the Settings app in Windows 10. The precision touchpad offers more touchpad gestures and settings. Here is how to turn off the touchpad via Settings in Windows 10.
Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Step 2: Turn off the Touchpad option to disable the touchpad and its settings. If the Touchpad option doesn’t show up (as shown in the picture), it’s because your laptop is using a non-precision touchpad.
Disabling touchpad using the native Device Manager
Step 1: Open Device Manager. To do so, simultaneously press Windows logo and R keys to open the Run command, type Devmgmt.msc in the box, and then press enter key.
Step 2: Once Device Manager is there on your screen, expand Test (if it’s not already), and then expand Mice and other pointing devices to see HID-compliant mouse entries.
Step 3: Right-click on the first HID-compliant mouse entry and then click the Disable option. Click Yes button when you see “Disabling this device will cause it to stop functioning. Do you really want to disable it?” warning message to disable the touchpad.
In most cases, disabling the first HID-compliant mouse should disable the built-in touchpad. But if the touchpad is working even after disabling the first entry, disable other HID-compliant mouse one after another.
In order to enable the touchpad again, you need to right-click on disabled HID-compliant mouse entry and then click enable option.
Enable or disable touchpad in BIOS
While not all OEMs offer an option in the BIOS to enable or disable the touchpad, most laptops have an option in the BIOS to turn on or off the touchpad. For instance, there is an option in my ThinkPad BIOS to enable or disable the touchpad. Boot into BIOS to check if an option is present.
Turn off the touchpad with the help of TouchPad Blocker
There are a couple of free tools out there to help you disable the touchpad on a laptop running Windows but we recommend TouchPad Blocker as it not only lets you type as fast and accurate as you can (by locking the touchpad input for a small period of time after a key is pressed) but also allows you enable or disable the touchpad with a keyboard shortcut.
TouchPad Blocker resides in the system tray area of the taskbar, meaning you can quickly access all features and options with a click. Visit the developer’s page to download the executable. Please click on the black-colored Download button on the download page in order to download the program.
Prevent accidental clicks using Touchfreeze
If you’re looking for a program not to disable the touchpad but to prevent accidentally changing the mouse cursor position that happens when your palm or wrist touches the touchpad while typing, Touchfreeze is the software you need.
Unlike TouchPad Blocker, Touchfreeze doesn’t include many options but it does its job very well. In simple words, when Touchfreeze is running, it locks the touchpad for a very small period after hitting a key. I have been using this software for the past two years and can confirm that it works as advertised. It’s a must-have program if you type a lot on your laptop. An option is available to load the program with Windows as well.
Chuck says
It didn’t work for me on an old Windows 7 Toshiba Satellite A305, usually there should be a tab on mouse options on control panel, but somehow tab for disabling touchpad isn’t there, device manager didn’t disable it either, it disabled mouse and I enabled back with touchpad lol. Function key doesn’t work, it works for disabling Wi-Fi, dimm brightness, etc., but curiously only FN+F9 (enabling/disabling touch pad) isn’t working, as a pretty old device it’s difficult to find its drivers to reinstall them, curiously while was writting this I thought of a possible conflict so went to check Revo Uninstaller to deduct if any software listed could be the cause and found a Toshiba software and opened its location folder, it was TOSHIBAValueAddedPackage, then I followed its root folder ‘TOSHIBA’ which has several folders, in one named ‘TBS’ (I’m gonna guess it is Toshiba Buttons Support) I’ve found EXE files with icons and names related to FN keys and there it was TouchpadED, I double-clicked it and an icon with the touchpad disabled symbol popped up out of the screen. I wasn’t going to leave a comment, but just in case someone else is looking for a solution to deactivate touchpad on a Toshiba Satellite and the FN keys aren’t working anymore to disable/enable this or any other feature as it was my case after days looking for a solution until I came here, look for Toshiba folder in ‘Program Files’ in ‘C:’, then open TBS (Toshiba Buttons Support) folder, in there you will find the same FN keys in ‘.exe’ format (TBSWireless, Brightness, Dimmer, TBSSoundMute, etc.), in fact I was able to fix the flash cards with TBSBtnCfg (Button Setting Assingment), if before it wasn’t working… now when I press FN key I can see flash cards on screen as a guide.
Carlos C says
I’m sure my cat did not hit any of those steps when he disabled my touchpad.
Christopher Boucher says
The majority of web results beat around the bush with the default W10/Devices method. Your advice was clear and concise plus I appreciated the methods offered, there’s always another way to get things done so thanks for going the extra steps.
johnny blair says
I tried everything I could find to disable the touchpad on my HP laptop. Nothing worked. Sometimes the advice suggested a button or setting that never showed.
Finally, I noticed that my touchpad was an “Elan” brand. Click START scroll to “ELAN” Touchpad settings Click, a box opens with a disable button. Click it. Done.
Why a HP laptop has a different brand name touchpad is a mystery, to use a nice word.
None of the advice I found mentioned looking for Elan.
SWAIN DSILVA says
THANK YOU BRO YOU REALLY SAVED MY LIFE
nitesh says
there should be keyboard shortcut to enable or disable touch-pad .
Jenn says
Thanks for the article – Touchpad Blocker is exactly what I’m looking for!
Bailey says
To disable mouse pad
Go to Device Manager (Rt click on start)
Expand “mice and other pointing devices
Disable “Synaptics piniting device”
Izabella Marshall says
I thought I had tried everything and I was about to give up disabling touchpad, and then I tried the first suggestion on this page with the two HID-Compliant Mouse or whatever! I tried the top one and it controlled the mouse, but the second one turned off the touchpad!! Thank You Sooooooo Much!!!! I’m not sure who I am talking to, but you rule! Thanks Again!!
alona says
I have the same problem with matthias :
“Hallo i have tried all the options above, non of them can disable my touchpad after i got the new windows 10. futhermore when i try to disable HID-Complaint mouse i do not get the option to disable it, only to uninstall it. if i unintall it still working and wants me to restart my computer where is downloads it again. the programs that this artical suggests dosnt help either”
Name says
None of these work now since the latest Win10 update. The malicious bastards at Microsoft have completely disabled any ability to disable the touchpad any more. The only way to disable it now is to physically remove the laptop cover and pull out the wires to the touchpad.
plumeria says
The only thing that worked was what davea0511 says
January 30, 2018 at 12:21 am
Donny says
Disable touchpad easy
Restart hold F2
In Bios select internal pointer
Select Disable
Save and Exit
No more touchpad
davea0511 says
Didn’t help me, kept working, and as I understand it for everyone else a reboot restores functionality. What did work was this (for win 10:)
(1) go into windows settings
(2) devices (no, this is not device manager)
(3) click “touchpad” on the left menu
(4) click “additional settings” on the far right side of the dialog box (under “related settings”)
(5) go to the “Device Settings” tab if it isn’t already active, and
(6) click the “Disable” button.
Josie23 says
These 7 steps allowed me to disable my touchpad (Dell laptop, Windows 10):
Win Start button
Type in “device manager”
Select Device Manager to open it
Click down arrow to left of “Mice and other…” to expand
Right click Dell Touchpad
Disable device
Yes
Raine says
THANK YOU SO MUCH! Nothing else has worked until I found this. Thank you!
stanz says
Touchpad Blocker is really awesome, especially for some stupid HP laptops without a hotkey to enable/disable touchpad. And I think M$ should provide such hotkey in Windows.
Thanks for this great post!
Curls says
intowindows.com/3-ways-to-disable-touchpad-in-windows/ seems to be great, with Touchpad blocker.
I’ve needed to stop the touchpad from reacting while I”m typing. I don’t know why windows removed that option!
I installed Freezepad but I couldn’t tell if it was working. It takes up less memory. I installed Touchpadpal too. That one bings when it blocks the pad, but I couldn’t see where it’s settings were.
I think putting all three on at the same time caused the system freeze I just got out of. But seems fine now…
Fresel says
I also find out that you need to open the devices setting and click on “Mouse & touchpad”, scroll down and click “Additional mouse options”. The mouse properties will be shown, click on ELAN or whatever there beside the “hardware”, then click “stop device” to disable your touchpad.
Michael says
Thank God the 1st of 3 methods worked fine with my Samsung Laptop &Windows 10! But after trying the first HID… My Logitech WIRELESS MOUSE was disabled!
So I had to back track to get it going again. And then I right clicked on
“synaptic PS/2 Port Touch Pad” and clicked UNINSTALL! Voila! DEAD TOUCH PAD!
Also you don’t have to type if you use: Control Panel>Hardware & Sound>Devices & Printers>DEVICE MANAGER>Mice & Other Pointing Devices>Rt. click Synaptics PS/2 Port Touch Pad>UNINSTALL! Yippeeeeeee!
Just remember the KEY: “DEVICE MANAGER”
Lion6767 says
The tochpad blocker still not solve the problem. it needs to be activated when the system starts. So fore me it is easier fore med’ to deactivate the touchpad from windows entry rather than using this program. Sorry.
Alperen says
Same thing here. For a moment I was happy that finally I disabled it and after a restart , it started to work as before. And I just putted 20 layers of paper and some tape :D
Joyce says
I gave up trying to disable the Windows 10 touch pad and keep the screen touch usability, plus the disabled touch pad comes right back on after sleeping or restart.
So, this is how to disable the stinking touch pad and keep the screen touch operable: tape stiff cardboard over the touch pad. It’s ugly but works as I want it to, not as Microsoft thinks I should want it to.
Lori Cameron says
To do it the correct and easiest way, read Geri’s solution posted on 9/26/16. Thanks Geri!
Joyce says
I like using the touch capability of the screen but use a mouse and want to turn off the touch pad, which constantly messes up my typing. It seems in Windows 10 the touch pad can be turned off, but it also turns off the screen. Now, how tough would it be to allow what I need. Microsoft wants to add all these “cool” features, but in the process forgets basic usability and needs of users in favor of developers, IMO, having fun.
Tim says
On 9/26 Ceri made the following comment: While in Settings/Mouse & Touchpad, go to Additional Mouse Options. You should see a button for ClickPad Disable, click it. Don’t worry about what the message said just answer message OK. Your touchpad is now totally turned off and you’re external mouse device is only one working. I LOVE it!!!
My reply? I have had to do this “daily” for when the HP laptop sits idle or goes to sleep mode, when it refreshes, the touchpad is working again….so have to go back to Settings/Mouse & Touchpad, blah blah blah.
Very, VERY frustrating as my prior laptops had a button to push and kept it off. I will look to a different method as described elsewhere to try to totally disable
Geri says
No disable option the way you describe but found a great way to turn it off completely so your external mouse is the only one operating (I need it cuz its always moving ((clutzy) /& clicking)
While in Settings/Mouse & Touchpad, go to Additional mouse settings. There you’ll find a button called ClickPad Disable. Click it – don’t worry about message (so long as your external device is connected) – click Yes. Click Apply and OK. Your touchpad is now totally disabled. I LOVE it!!!
Geri says
While in Settings/Mouse & Touchpad, go to Additional Mouse Options. You should see a button for ClickPad Disable, click it. Don’t worry about what the message said just answer message OK. Your touchpad is now totally turned off and you’re external mouse device is only one working. I LOVE it!!!
ibrahm says
it woks thanksssssssssssssssss
Sebastian says
Thanks. The inbuilt Windows 10 ‘Mouse and Touch Pad Settings’ did not work for my (brand new) Dell (which does not have a separate touch pad driver anymore, but relies on Windows 10 to do the job), so your help in disabling a (rather crappy) touch pad was very welcome.
David Poissant says
“Disabling touchpad using native device manager worked great on my Dell Inspiron laptop. I’ve been fighting the touchpad since converting to Windows 10. Thank-you.
Jeremy says
Even Lenovo tech support couldn’t help me and said it was impossible to disable the touchpad. Your first method worked perfectly and instantly. Thank you!
Klj says
Help, I’m in windows 10, HP, ALPS pointing device is the Touchpad in my System?
Bubbles says
HID Compliant Mouse is what is plugged into my computer. I can’t turn off the Synapticss SMBus Touchpad. Uninstalling the driver doesn’t disable the pad either.
Bernard says
None of the recommendations are working for me either (running Lenovo Laptop & Windows 10).
Kamil says
Aadya Paudel, what is the touchpad driver option on your computer? I search for touchpad and trackpad but i don’t find nothing. Turning off mouse devices stops my mouse, touchpad works on every moment.
Kamil says
Hi Matthias, i have the same problem. If you find answer faster please write it in comment.
Bui Thanh Huynh says
I find my way to disable touchpad in windows 10:
– Download manager at
hxtp://www.nirsoft.net/utils/device_manager_view.html
– Disable touchpad diver
– Restart
–
Aadya Paudel says
I have the same error as you. Have you solved it already? If you have please inform me.
matthias says
Hallo i have tried all the options above, non of them can disable my touchpad after i got the new windows 10. futhermore when i try to disable HID-Complaint mouse i do not get the option to disable it, only to uninstall it. if i unintall it still working and wants me to restart my computer where is downloads it again. the programs that this artical suggests dosnt help either