Disable your touchscreen through Device Manager

The fastest way to turn off your touchscreen is through Device Manager, Windows' built-in tool for controlling hardware. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. If you don't see that option, press Windows key + X and look for it there.

Once Device Manager opens, look for "Human Interface Devices" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand that section. You should see an entry that says "Touch Screen" or something similar like "HID-compliant touch screen". Right-click on it and select "Disable device". Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Yes".

Your touchscreen is now off. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it the same way: find it in Device Manager, right-click, and select "Enable device". This method works on almost all Windows machines and doesn't require a restart.

Key Takeaways

  • Device Manager is the simplest way to disable your touchscreen and takes about one minute with no restart needed.
  • You can turn the touchscreen back on anytime through the same Device Manager menu if you need it again.
  • If you don't see a touchscreen entry in Device Manager, your device may not have one or the driver may not be installed.
  • Disabling the touchscreen does not affect your keyboard, trackpad, mouse, or any other input method.

What to do if Device Manager doesn't show a touchscreen

Some Windows devices don't have a touchscreen at all — many laptops and desktops use only keyboard and mouse input. If you open Device Manager and don't see a "Touch Screen" entry under "Human Interface Devices", your device likely doesn't have one.

You can also check by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touch. If this page is blank or doesn't exist on your machine, there's no touchscreen hardware to disable. This is normal and nothing is wrong with your device.

Disable touchscreen through BIOS or UEFI

Some computers let you turn off the touchscreen at a deeper level through BIOS or UEFI settings, which is the firmware that runs before Windows starts. This method is more permanent than Device Manager but also more technical.

To access BIOS or UEFI, restart your computer and watch for a message during startup that says "Press F2", "Press Del", or "Press F10" (the key varies by manufacturer). Press that key repeatedly until you enter the settings screen. Look for a section called "Integrated Peripherals", "Onboard Devices", or "Advanced" and search for an option related to "Touch Panel" or "Touchscreen". Change it from "Enabled" to "Disabled" and save your changes.

If you're not comfortable navigating BIOS, stick with Device Manager instead. The Device Manager method is safer and easier to reverse if something goes wrong.

Disable touchscreen for a specific user account

If you want to turn off the touchscreen only for one user account on a shared computer, you can do this through Settings without affecting other users. Open Settings and go to Devices > Touch. Toggle "Touch input" to Off.

This setting is per-user, so other people who log into the computer will still have a working touchscreen. When that user logs back in, they can turn it back on the same way. This approach is useful on family computers where some people want the touchscreen and others don't.

Why you might want to disable your touchscreen

People disable their touchscreen for several reasons. If you have a laptop with a touchscreen you never use, turning it off can save a small amount of battery power. Disabling it also prevents accidental touches when you're typing or resting your hands on the keyboard.

Some people disable the touchscreen because they find it distracting or because they prefer using a trackpad or mouse. Others disable it temporarily while troubleshooting — if your touchscreen is acting erratic or not responding correctly, disabling it can help you figure out whether the problem is with the hardware or with Windows itself.

Re-enable your touchscreen when you need it again

If you disabled your touchscreen and want to turn it back on, the process is identical to disabling it. Open Device Manager, find "Human Interface Devices", locate your touchscreen entry, right-click it, and select "Enable device".

If you disabled it through Settings instead, go back to Settings > Devices > Touch and toggle "Touch input" back to On. If you changed BIOS settings, restart your computer, enter BIOS the same way you did before, and change the touchscreen setting back to "Enabled".

Troubleshooting if your touchscreen won't disable

Sometimes Device Manager won't let you disable the touchscreen because Windows needs it for something else, or because the driver is locked by your system administrator. If you see a message saying you don't have permission to disable the device, you may need to run Device Manager as administrator.

Right-click the Start button, select "Device Manager", and look for a prompt asking if you want to allow this app to make changes. Click "Yes". Then try disabling the touchscreen again. If you still can't disable it and you're on a work computer, your IT department may have locked this setting — contact them to ask if it can be changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling my touchscreen slow down my computer?

No. Disabling the touchscreen through Device Manager has no effect on your computer's speed or performance. It may save a tiny amount of battery power on a laptop, but the difference is usually not noticeable.

Can I disable the touchscreen without restarting?

Yes. Device Manager disables the touchscreen when ready without requiring a restart. If you change BIOS settings, you will need to restart, but the Device Manager method does not.

What if I accidentally disable something other than the touchscreen?

Open Device Manager again, find the device you disabled, right-click it, and select "Enable device". Your computer will turn it back on. If you're not sure what something is, don't disable it — only disable entries you recognize as touchscreen-related.

Does disabling the touchscreen affect my keyboard or trackpad?

No. Your keyboard, trackpad, mouse, and all other input devices will work normally. Disabling the touchscreen only turns off touch input — everything else stays the same.

Can I disable the touchscreen on a tablet?

No. Tablets like the Surface Pro are designed around touch input, and Windows does not allow you to disable the touchscreen on them. This guide applies to laptops and desktop computers with touchscreens, not tablets.