As a general rule, two of the main input devices that we find installed in most PCs are the mouse and the keyboard. We interact with them, for example, with Windows and its applications. However, sometimes we can find another element similar to the first, especially in laptops, we refer to the TouchPad or also known as the Touch Panel.
This, like the two mentioned before, helps us to interact with the operating system itself, as well as for the installed applications. It must be borne in mind that this element, in most laptops, acts as a substitute for the beloved mouse that we are used to for decades. In this way, what is really achieved is that, when acquiring a laptop, we do not have to use any other input peripherals, at least in principle.
What is and how do we activate the Touch Panel on a laptop
It is true that we have that possibility, but on many occasions, more than anything for convenience, we keep what the standard PC has. Of course, not everyone is in favor of using this input element that we are talking about, since the TouchPad is not always as beloved as one might expect. What’s more, for many it is a real nuisance. Therefore, we will always have the possibility to deactivate it if we wish. Generally, this can be done through a special function key included and activated by using the combination of FN plus that key .
But on the other hand, for many others this is an essential element in their day to day with the PC, everything is a matter of customs. But that is not all we should know in this sense, but the use of the aforementioned TouchPad can provide us with some interesting advantages.
We tell you all this because Windows 10 itself puts at our disposal, at least in most cases, a series of gestures with this TouchPad to speed up the use of certain actions in the system. The first thing we have to do is make sure that our equipment has support for Precision Touch , although it is worth mentioning that most laptops of a few years to this part do. That is something that will be indicated in the Configuration section that we will show you below.
In addition, from here we also have the possibility to adjust the sensitivity of this element. Therefore, for all this we go to the System Configuration application, specifically, after pressing the Win + I key combination, we go to Devices / Touch Panel. Here we will see if the laptop is compatible with Precision Touch and adjust the sensitivity of it.
Here, as we say, we will have the possibility to customize the sensitivity of this element. As is logical to think, if we plan to make intensive use of it and its characteristics, we should put that sensitivity to the maximum. Everything is a matter of testing and seeing which is the level with which we best handle ourselves. Similarly, we should know that some laptop manufacturers develop their own gesture technology. We will find these here, or they are provided to us through some additional movement management software that we can install on the PC.
Generic TouchPad gestures in Windows
But as we say, the system itself provides us with some generics that we are going to show you below.
- Select an element: click once on the panel being located on the object.
- See the Windows context menu: by tapping two fingers at the same time on the Touch Panel once we are located on an item that has a menu of this type. In some computers we can also press with a finger in the lower right corner of the panel.
- Scroll: pressing the TouchPad with two fingers together at the same time and sliding them from top to bottom or from right to left.
- Zoom in or out: This is accomplished by using a two-finger pinch-like gesture on the panel. Thus, the thumb and index finger are brought together, we tap on the surface and without lifting them we open or close them to use the zoom . This can be very useful on the web and in a multitude of office documents.
- Rotate the image: if the active program supports it, we can rotate what is on the screen by rotating two fingers located on the panel. This is something that works both ways, the needles of the clock, and vice versa.
- Switch open applications: in Windows we can move between open program windows by sliding three fingers to the left or right. Also this is valid in browsers to move between the previous and next pages.
- Drag windows: just by giving two quick taps on their title bar and leaving your finger on the TouchPad for the second tap. After that, we can slide it without lifting it.
- Minimize the current window: sliding three fingers from top to bottom.
- Maximize the last window: on the desktop, sliding three fingers from bottom to top.
- See all open windows: in any open program, we place three fingers on the panel and slide them from bottom to top.
- Open Cortana: by pressing with three fingers on the Touch Panel .
- Open the activity center: press with four fingers simultaneously.
- Change virtual desktop: we place the four fingers on the panel and slide them to the right or left.
In this way, as we can see, we can carry out some of the daily tasks of Windows, directly from this element that we are talking about. It is true that at first, more if we do not make regular use of all this, it may take us a bit to get used to it. But after a while and if you spend a few minutes repeating them to do us with these gestures, over time they will help us move in Windows , that’s for sure. Thus, in addition to gaining in fluency of use in Windows, we avoid having to depend on a mouse connected to a USB port of the laptop constantly.