How to Customize Touchpad Gestures on Windows 11

Windows 11 allows laptops equipped with precision touchpads to utilize advanced multi-finger inputs for faster navigation and multitasking. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to customize default three-finger and four-finger swipes and taps, as well as how to configure custom shortcut keys and individual directional actions using the advanced gestures menu.

Step 1: Open Touchpad Settings

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar.
3. Click on Touchpad in the right-hand pane.
4. Verify that your device supports this feature by checking for the message or sections labeled Three-finger gestures and Four-finger gestures.

Step 2: Configure Standard Multi-Finger Gestures

Under the Touchpad menu, expand the Three-finger gestures or Four-finger gestures section. You can customize two primary interactions for each:

• Swipes: Click the dropdown menu next to Swipes to choose a preset behavior for directional swipes:
  • Switch apps and show desktop: Swiping up shows Task View, swiping down shows the desktop, and swiping left/right switches between active apps.
  • Switch desktops and show desktop: Swiping up shows Task View, swiping down shows the desktop, and swiping left/right switches between virtual desktops.
  • Change audio and volume: Swiping up increases volume, swiping down decreases volume, and swiping left/right skips to the previous or next track.
  • Nothing: Disables swipe gestures for that finger count.
• Taps: Click the dropdown menu next to Taps to assign an action when tapping the touchpad with three or four fingers:
  • Options include Notification Center, Open Windows Search, Play/pause media, Middle mouse button, or Nothing.

Step 3: Set Up Advanced Gestures for Custom Actions

If the default presets do not fit your workflow, Windows 11 allows you to map specific actions to individual swipe directions.

1. In the Touchpad settings menu, scroll down and select Advanced gestures.
2. Under the Three-finger gestures or Four-finger gestures section, select individual actions for:
   • Tap
   • Swipe up
   • Swipe down
   • Swipe left
   • Swipe right
3. Choose from system actions like maximizing windows, snapping windows, locking the PC, or select Custom shortcut to record a specific keyboard combination (such as Ctrl + Shift + T or Ctrl + Z).

Resetting Gestures to Default

If you want to revert your changes, navigate back to the main Touchpad settings page, expand the top Touchpad toggle section, and click the Reset button next to Reset touchpad settings and gestures to defaults.