The fastest way to disable your trackpad depends on your operating system
On Windows, you can turn off your trackpad through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, then toggle it off. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Trackpad and uncheck "Trackpad" at the top. On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment — GNOME users find it in Settings > Mouse & Touchpad, while KDE users look in System Settings > Input Devices > Touchpad. If you want to disable it only when an external mouse is plugged in, most systems offer that option too.
Some laptops also have a physical keyboard shortcut — often Fn + a touchpad icon — that toggles the trackpad without opening any menus. Check your laptop's manual or keyboard to see if yours has one. This is the fastest option if you switch between trackpad and mouse frequently.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users disable the trackpad in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad by toggling the switch off.
- Mac users turn it off in System Settings > Trackpad by unchecking the "Trackpad" option at the top of the window.
- Linux trackpad settings are in GNOME Settings or KDE System Settings, depending on which desktop you use.
- Many laptops have a physical Fn + key combination that toggles the trackpad instantly without opening settings.
- Most operating systems let you disable the trackpad only when an external mouse is connected, so you can use both.
Disabling the trackpad on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to Bluetooth & devices on the left sidebar, then select Touchpad. You will see a toggle at the top of the window labeled "Touchpad" — click it to turn the trackpad off. The toggle will turn gray, and your trackpad will stop responding immediately.
If you do not see the Touchpad option, your laptop may use a manufacturer-specific driver instead of the built-in Windows driver. In that case, search for your laptop brand plus "touchpad settings" in the Windows search bar — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS all have their own control panels. Open the manufacturer's touchpad software and look for a disable or power-off button.
To turn the trackpad back on, return to the same Settings menu and toggle it back. You can also set Windows to disable the trackpad automatically when you connect a mouse — in the same Touchpad settings, look for "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected" and toggle it off.
Disabling the trackpad on macOS
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Trackpad. At the top of the window, you will see a checkbox labeled "Trackpad" — uncheck it to disable the trackpad. Your trackpad will stop working immediately.
If you want the trackpad to turn off only when you plug in an external mouse, macOS does not have a built-in option for this. Instead, you can use a third-party app like Trackpad Toggle or Bluetooth Trackpad Toggle from the Mac App Store, which will detect when a mouse connects and disable the trackpad automatically.
To re-enable the trackpad, return to System Settings > Trackpad and check the box again. If you have an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, the path may be System Preferences instead of System Settings, but the option is in the same location.
Disabling the trackpad on Linux
The steps depend on which desktop environment you use. On GNOME (used by Ubuntu, Fedora, and others), click the system menu in the top-right corner, then open Settings. Click Mouse & Touchpad in the sidebar. Toggle off the switch next to "Touchpad" to disable it.
On KDE Plasma (used by Kubuntu, Fedora KDE, and others), open System Settings from the application menu. Click Input Devices in the sidebar, then Touchpad. Uncheck the box labeled "Enabled" to turn off the trackpad.
If you use a different desktop environment like Xfce, LXDE, or Cinnamon, look for Mouse or Input Devices in the Settings application. The exact location varies, but the option is usually grouped with mouse settings. If you cannot find it in the GUI, you can also disable the trackpad from the terminal using xinput commands, though this requires knowing your trackpad's device ID.
Using keyboard shortcuts to toggle the trackpad
Many laptops have a dedicated keyboard shortcut that turns the trackpad on and off without opening any menus. This is usually a function key (Fn) combined with a key that has a touchpad icon printed on it. Common combinations include Fn + F5, Fn + F6, or Fn + F7, though it varies by manufacturer.
To find your laptop's shortcut, look at the function keys on your keyboard for a touchpad symbol — it usually looks like a small rectangle or square. Press Fn and that key together. If nothing happens, check your laptop's manual or search online for your specific model number plus "disable trackpad keyboard shortcut."
This method is faster than navigating through settings if you switch between trackpad and mouse frequently. The shortcut works even if you are in the middle of typing or using another program.
Disabling the trackpad for specific programs only
If you want to keep the trackpad on globally but disable it only while typing or using certain programs, Windows and macOS both offer this option. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and look for "Leave touchpad on when typing" — toggle this off to disable the trackpad while you type. On Mac, the same option is in System Settings > Trackpad under the Pointing tab, labeled "Ignore trackpad when typing."
For Linux, this feature depends on your desktop environment and may require installing additional software. GNOME and KDE both support this in their touchpad settings, though the exact location varies.
Some programs like video games or drawing software may have their own trackpad disable options in their settings menu. Check the input or control settings of any program where you find the trackpad interfering with your work.
What to do if the trackpad will not turn off
If toggling the setting does not work, the trackpad driver may be outdated or corrupted. On Windows, open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager. Look for Mice and other pointing devices, expand it, and right-click your touchpad device. Select Update driver and let Windows search for the latest version. If that does not work, right-click again and select Uninstall device, then restart your laptop — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
On Mac, trackpad problems are less common, but you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) by shutting down your Mac, then pressing Shift + Control + Option (all on the left side) + Power button together for 10 seconds. Release all keys and turn your Mac back on.
On Linux, you may need to unload the trackpad kernel module from the terminal. This requires more technical knowledge — search for your specific trackpad model plus "disable Linux" to find the correct command for your hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling the trackpad affect my keyboard?
No. The trackpad and keyboard are separate devices. Disabling the trackpad will not change how your keyboard works. You can still type normally and use all keyboard shortcuts.
Can I disable the trackpad only when a mouse is plugged in?
Windows and Linux both have built-in options for this. On Windows, go to Touchpad settings and toggle off "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected." On Linux, the option is usually in the same touchpad settings menu. Mac does not have this built-in, but third-party apps like Trackpad Toggle can do it.
What if my laptop does not have a trackpad setting in Windows?
Your laptop may use a manufacturer-specific driver instead of the built-in Windows driver. Search your Start menu for your laptop brand plus "touchpad" — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS all have their own control software. If you still cannot find it, check your laptop's manual or the manufacturer's support website.
Does disabling the trackpad save battery life?
Slightly, but not enough to notice. The trackpad uses very little power. If you are trying to extend battery life, closing unused programs and lowering screen brightness will have a much larger effect.
Can I re-enable the trackpad after disabling it?
Yes. Follow the same steps you used to disable it and toggle the setting back on. If you used a keyboard shortcut, press it again. The trackpad will start working immediately.