When you have an external mouse, the TouchPad is such a superfluous design that you can even accidentally touch it on your wrist if you try to type on the laptop's keyboard. How do I disable touchpad in Windows10?
In this guide, we’ve highlighted some of the methods you can use to disable the touchpad in windows 10. All of the methods indicated below do the same thing – disabling the touchpad. Choose the one that works best for you. And remember there’s no harm in trying the other options as well. It only adds to your knowledge and skill. That being said, let’s jump straight to the methods.
Method 1: Windows Touchpad Settings Utility
This option involves turning off the touchpad from windows settings. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Press Windows + I or press the windows button or click the start button then select the settings icon on the left side of the screen, just above the power icon.
Also, you can click on the search bar then select the settings icon from the popup window. Another option would be to type settings in the search bar then click on the settings icon from the search results window. Whichever option you choose will take you to the settings window.
Step 2: Within the settings window, select Devices. A new window for Bluetooth & other devices will appear. On the left pane of that window, select Touchpad.
Step 3: On the right-hand side of the same window you’ll see a toggle. Click to turn it off and that’s all. You just successfully disabled your touchpad. You can try using it, just to be sure it's actually disabled.
Step 4: Exit the touchpad settings window.
Method 2: By Disabling ETD Control Center
The ETD control center is a program that controls the touchpad in many laptop models.
Tip: Some laptops do not have this feature. As such, their touchpads can be disabled using other methods, but this one.
Here’s how you can disable the touchpad on windows 10 by disabling the ETD control center.
Step 1: First, launch the task manager by simply pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Alternatively, you can just type task manager in the search bar. The task manager app icon will appear. On the right pane of the results window, click on Run as administrator. The task manager window will then appear.
Step 2: Click on the startup tab then locate the ETD Control Center from the list of running programs.
Step 3: Select then the program once you’ve located it from the list. Next, proceed to the bottom of the task manager screen and click on Disable.
Once ETD Control Center is successfully disabled, the feature won’t activate on your PC’s next boot-up. That also implies the PC’s touchpad won’t work either.
Method 3: Using the Device Manager Utility
The Device Manager is a utility feature that lists all the devices running on your PC. From this utility feature, it’s possible to disable any of the devices enlisted. Here’s how to use the Device Manager to disable the touchpad in windows 10.
Step 1: Access the device manager by typing Device Manager in the search bar. Click on the app’s icon from the search results window. Alternatively, simply press Windows + X keys together at the same time. On the WinX menu that appears, select Device Manager from the options.
Step 2: On the Device Manager screen, locate and double click on Mice and other pointing devices. Two options will appear on your screen – i). ELAN input device ii). HID compliant mouse.
Step 3: Right-click on the second option, HID-compliant mouse, and then from the popup menu of options, choose Disable.
Step 4: Congrats! You just disabled your PC touchpad using the Device Manager. Now, go ahead and close the Device Manager window.
Method 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Apart from the above-mentioned methods, it’s also possible to disable the touchpad on windows 10 by simply using keyboard shortcut keys. So many people love this option because it’s pretty straightforward. No clicks, selections, or even menus to deal with. The only downside to this method of disabling the touchpad in windows 10 is that it’s not universal.
That’s to say, the shortcut keys that work for one type of laptop computer may not necessarily work on another. Even so, here are some shortcut keys that you can use to disable and enable the touchpad on your PC.
- Windows + F9
- Ctrl + Alt + F9
Again remember, these shortcut keys may or may not work for your particular device. The reason for that is that they’re not standard or universal.
Method 5: Using Touchpad Disabling Software
In case you have trouble disabling your PC’s touchpad using all the methods so far mentioned, you can try using a third-party software to get it done in simple and easy steps. There are a number of tools you can use to disable the touchpad. One common one is the Touchpad Blocker. This lightweight software is pre-configured to launch whenever the PC starts-up. The tool allows you to use specific shortcut key combinations to disable the touchpad while the program is running in the background.
Tip: With the Touchpad Blocker, your touchpad will remain inactive until you press the same shortcut keys you disabled it with or reboot your PC.
How to Use the Touchpad Blocker
If interested in using the Touchpad Blocker to disable your PC touchpad, first download the tool from the official website – Click Here. Next, install the tool on your PC then configure it appropriately. Once you’re done with the configuration, proceed to use the shortcut keys Ctrl + Alt + F9 to enable or disable the touchpad.
Intelligent Management of the TouchPad
Completely turning off your PC touchpad isn’t a great idea. Consider the case where your mouse, for some reason, malfunctions.
Accessing the PC can be quite a challenge if you’d completely disabled the touchpad. In light of such potential problems, it’s only prudent that we look for a way to automatically enable the touchpad whenever the mouse fails or is removed.
Luckily, Windows 10 has such a utility feature that allows for the intelligent management of the Touchpad. You can access this function from the control panel. With this feature active, your touchpad will be automatically turned on or off whenever you remove or connect the mouse to your PC. Also, whenever the mouse malfunctions, the Intelligent Touchpad Manager will automatically activate your touchpad. Sounds brilliant, huh? Give it a shot then.
