The quickest way to disable your touchpad
Most laptops let you turn off the touchpad through Settings or Device Manager on Windows, or System Preferences on Mac. The exact path depends on your operating system and laptop model, but the process takes under a minute once you know where to look. Many laptops also have a physical keyboard shortcut — usually a key with a touchpad icon — that toggles it on and off instantly.
If you use an external mouse most of the time, disabling the touchpad stops accidental touches from moving your cursor or selecting text while you type. This is especially useful if you rest your palm on the laptop while working.
Key Takeaways
- Windows laptops can disable the touchpad through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, or through Device Manager if that option is missing.
- Mac laptops disable the trackpad in System Preferences > Trackpad, with an option to disable it only when a mouse is connected.
- Many laptops have a physical keyboard shortcut (often Fn + a touchpad icon key) that toggles the touchpad on and off instantly.
- If Settings does not show a touchpad option, you may need to install or update the touchpad driver from your laptop manufacturer's support website.
- Some touchpads can be disabled only when an external mouse is plugged in, rather than turned off completely.
Disabling the touchpad on Windows
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices (or Devices on older versions). Look for Touchpad in the left menu. Click it, then toggle the switch at the top to Off. This disables the touchpad entirely until you turn it back on the same way.
If you do not see a Touchpad option in Settings, your laptop may not have a built-in touchpad driver installed, or it may be managed through a different control panel. Try opening Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting it. Look for Mice and other pointing devices, find your touchpad (it may be labeled with the manufacturer name like Synaptics or ELAN), right-click it, and select Disable device. You can re-enable it the same way.
Some laptop manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, and HP include their own touchpad software separate from Windows Settings. If you have this software installed, you can usually find more detailed options there, including the ability to disable the touchpad only when a mouse is connected. Check your laptop manufacturer's support website if you are unsure which driver you have.
Disabling the trackpad on Mac
On Mac, click the Apple menu and open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Select Trackpad. You will see tabs for Point and Click, Scroll & Zoom, and More Gestures. There is no single off switch, but you can disable individual features or reduce sensitivity to near-zero.
If you want to turn off the trackpad completely when using an external mouse, open System Preferences and go to Accessibility. Select Pointer Control and look for an option to disable the trackpad when a mouse is present. Not all Mac models offer this, so check your specific model's documentation if you do not see it.
Alternatively, some Mac laptops respond to a keyboard shortcut. Try holding Fn and pressing the key with a trackpad icon (usually in the function row at the top). If your Mac does not have this key, the Settings method is your main option.
Using a keyboard shortcut to toggle the touchpad
Many Windows laptops have a dedicated key or key combination to turn the touchpad on and off instantly. Look for a key with a touchpad icon in the function row (the top row of keys). On most laptops, you hold Fn and press that key. On some models, the key works without Fn. Common key combinations include Fn + F6, Fn + F7, or Fn + a touchpad icon.
If you are not sure which key it is, check your laptop's manual or search the manufacturer's website for your specific model. Once you find it, this keyboard shortcut is usually the fastest way to toggle the touchpad on and off without opening Settings.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, your laptop may not have one, or the touchpad driver may not support it. In that case, use the Settings or Device Manager method instead.
What to do if the touchpad option is missing from Settings
If you cannot find a Touchpad option in Windows Settings or Device Manager, the touchpad driver may not be installed or may be outdated. Visit your laptop manufacturer's support website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.), search for your laptop model, and download the latest touchpad driver. Install it, then restart your laptop. After the restart, the Touchpad option should appear in Settings.
If you still do not see it, try Device Manager again. Right-click the Start menu, select Device Manager, and look under Mice and other pointing devices. If you see a device with a yellow warning icon or labeled Unknown device, that may be your touchpad. Right-click it and select Update driver, then choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for and install the correct driver.
If Device Manager shows no pointing devices at all, the touchpad hardware may not be detected. Restart your laptop and check again. If it still does not appear, contact your laptop manufacturer's support, as this may indicate a hardware issue.
Disabling the touchpad only when a mouse is connected
Some laptops and touchpad drivers offer an option to disable the touchpad automatically when an external mouse is plugged in. This way, you do not have to manually turn it off every time you connect a mouse. On Windows, this option sometimes appears in the Touchpad settings under an advanced or additional settings menu. On Mac, check System Preferences > Accessibility > Pointer Control.
If your touchpad driver does not have this built-in, you can achieve the same result using third-party software like Touchpad Blocker (free, Windows only) or Synapse (if you have a Razer laptop). These programs monitor when a mouse is connected and automatically disable the touchpad for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable the touchpad without going into Settings?
Yes, if your laptop has a keyboard shortcut. Look for a key with a touchpad icon in the function row and try holding Fn while pressing it. This toggles the touchpad on and off instantly. If your laptop does not have this key, you will need to use Settings or Device Manager.
Will disabling the touchpad affect my external mouse?
No. Disabling the touchpad only turns off the built-in trackpad. Your external mouse will work normally. This is the main reason people disable the touchpad — to avoid accidental touches while using a mouse.
How do I turn the touchpad back on?
Use the same method you used to turn it off. If you used Settings, go back and toggle it on. If you used a keyboard shortcut, press it again. If you disabled it in Device Manager, right-click the device and select Enable.
What if my touchpad stops working after I disable it?
You can still turn it back on through Settings or Device Manager, even if the touchpad itself is not responding. If you cannot access Settings, restart your laptop and try again. If the touchpad still does not work after re-enabling it, the driver may need to be reinstalled or updated.
Does disabling the touchpad save battery power?
Slightly, but not enough to notice. The touchpad uses very little power compared to your screen or processor. Disabling it is mainly useful for avoiding accidental clicks and improving typing comfort, not for extending battery life.