If you’re using the Synaptics touchpad drivers, you probably won’t find any of the options mentioned above. Synaptics touchpads are one of the more popular ones used on so many Windows laptops.

Click the Apply button and then close the Window.

Click on the ELAN or Device Settings tab and check the option that says Disable when external USB pointing device plug in or Disable internal pointing device when the external USB pointing device is attached.

This will open up the Mouse Properties window.

In the Control Panel, change the view to Small icons and then click on the entry labeled Mouse.

On Windows 10 and Windows 8/8.1, Control Panel isn’t listed here so you’ll have to search for it.

Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.

Simply check the box next to it and you’re done.ĭon’t Miss: How to Check MD5 and SHA Hash on Windows 10 Turn off touchpad from Control Panel.

Under the toggle to turn the touchpad on or off is an option labeled Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected.

Open the Settings app on Windows 10 and head to Devices > Touchpad.

Enable the option for Synaptic touchpads Disabling Touchpad from Settings (Windows 10) You can also disable the Touchpad while typing on your Windows PC.ģ. This is why letting the operating system do it automatically for you is a smart idea. Turning the touchpad off and on constantly can be a hassle. But this is done manually and if you’re someone who travels with their laptop you can’t use the mouse at all times. Most Windows laptops already do come with a key combination, mostly one of the function keys, to turn off the touchpad. Disabling it gives you a lot more space to work with on your laptop without worrying about accidentally touching the pad. Sometimes, it can get in the way of doing things as well, for instance, moving the cursor around while you’re typing because it can’t differentiate between your fingers and your palm. It makes sense to turn it off when you have the mouse connected because you’re obviously not going to be using the touchpad. On Windows, at least the OS can automatically disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected. This makes a mouse necessary for some users who just can’t adjust to life with a touchpad that’s not great.

However, there’s no consistency and there’s no telling what you’ll get unless you try it first. Things are changing slowly and some manufacturers are really bringing their A-game when it comes to touchpads. This is another area where Windows laptops have lagged behind for well over a decade. For quite some time now Apple’s MacBooks have been known to have the best touchpads around.

Windows 8 turn off touchpad