While a touchscreen on a Windows 11 laptop can be a convenient feature for scrolling and zooming, it can sometimes get in the way. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked screen that registers “ghost touches,” or you simply prefer using a mouse and keyboard without accidental screen taps, disabling the touchscreen can solve the problem. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to disable the touchscreen on your Windows 11 laptop using the Device Manager.
How to Disable the Touchscreen
The safest and most straightforward way to disable your touchscreen in Windows 11 is by turning off its driver in the Device Manager. Follow these steps:
- Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button (or press Windows Key + X) and select Device Manager from the power user menu.
- Expand Human Interface Devices: In the Device Manager window, locate the category labeled Human Interface Devices and click the arrow next to it to expand the list.
- Locate the Touchscreen Driver: Look for an entry named HID-compliant touch screen. Note: If you see multiple entries with this exact name, you may need to repeat the following steps for each one.
- Disable the Device: Right-click on HID-compliant touch screen and select Disable device from the context menu.
- Confirm: A warning prompt will appear, letting you know that disabling the device will cause it to stop working. Click Yes to confirm.
Your touchscreen is now disabled. You can test it immediately by tapping the screen—it should no longer respond to your touch inputs.
How to Re-enable the Touchscreen
If you ever change your mind and want to use the touchscreen again, the process to turn it back on is just as simple:
- Open the Device Manager as you did before.
- Expand the Human Interface Devices section.
- Right-click on the HID-compliant touch screen entry.
- Select Enable device.
Occasionally, Windows updates may automatically re-enable drivers. If your touchscreen turns itself back on after a major system update, you can simply follow these steps again to disable it.