What To Know
- This guide will walk you through the various methods to disable the touchscreen on your Surface Go, ensuring you have the control you need for a seamless user experience.
- If you’re working on a sensitive project or using a stylus for precise drawing, disabling the touchscreen can eliminate the risk of accidental touches.
- This program offers the ability to disable the touchscreen based on specific conditions, such as when an external mouse is connected.
The Surface Go is a versatile device that can be used for a variety of tasks. However, sometimes you might find yourself needing to disable the touchscreen, especially when using an external mouse or keyboard. This can be helpful for preventing accidental touches, improving accuracy, or simply for a more traditional desktop experience. This guide will walk you through the various methods to disable the touchscreen on your Surface Go, ensuring you have the control you need for a seamless user experience.
Understanding the Need to Disable Touchscreen
Disabling the touchscreen on your Surface Go can be beneficial in several scenarios:
- Using an external mouse and keyboard: When you’re working with a mouse and keyboard, the touchscreen can become an annoyance, leading to accidental clicks and unwanted interactions.
- Preventing accidental touches: If you’re working on a sensitive project or using a stylus for precise drawing, disabling the touchscreen can eliminate the risk of accidental touches.
- Improving accuracy: For tasks requiring precision, such as graphic design or video editing, disabling the touchscreen can improve the accuracy of your input.
- Creating a more traditional desktop experience: If you prefer a more traditional desktop experience, disabling the touchscreen can create a familiar and comfortable environment.
Method 1: Using the On-Screen Keyboard
The on-screen keyboard offers a quick and easy way to disable the touchscreen. Here’s how:
1. Open the on-screen keyboard: Click the “Show the touch keyboard” button in the taskbar.
2. Locate the “Touchpad” icon: Look for the icon that resembles a touchpad with a diagonal line through it.
3. Click the icon: This will toggle the touchscreen on and off. A message will appear confirming the change.
Method 2: Using Device Manager
Device Manager provides a more advanced way to disable your Surface Go’s touchscreen. Here’s how:
1. Open Device Manager: Press the Windows key ++ X and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand “Human Interface Devices“: Click the arrow next to “Human Interface Devices” to reveal the list of devices.
3. Identify your touchscreen: Look for a device named “HID-compliant touch screen.”
4. Right-click and disable: Right-click on the touchscreen device and select “Disable device.”
5. Confirm the action: Confirm the action by clicking “Yes” in the confirmation dialog box.
Method 3: Using the Registry Editor
The Registry Editor offers a more permanent solution for disabling the touchscreen, although it should be used with caution as improper editing can cause system instability. Here’s how:
1. Open the Registry Editor: Press the Windows key ++ R, type “regedit,” and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the relevant key: Go to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesHIDTouchScreen”
3. Modify the “Start” value: Double-click the “Start” value and change it to “4.”
4. Restart your Surface Go: Restart your Surface Go for the changes to take effect.
Method 4: Using the BIOS
Some Surface Go models allow you to disable the touchscreen from the BIOS. Here’s how:
1. Restart your Surface Go: Turn off your Surface Go and then restart it.
2. Access the BIOS: While your Surface Go is booting, press the “F2” key repeatedly.
3. Navigate to the “Advanced” settings: Look for the “Advanced” or “Boot” section in the BIOS menu.
4. Locate the touchscreen setting: Search for an option related to “Touchscreen” or “Touchpad.”
5. Disable the touchscreen: Toggle the setting to “Disabled” or “Off.”
6. Save changes and exit: Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Method 5: Using Third-Party Software
Several third-party applications can help you disable the touchscreen on your Surface Go. These applications often offer additional features, such as scheduling the touchscreen disablement or creating custom profiles. Here are some popular options:
- TouchFreeze: This application allows you to temporarily disable the touchscreen with a simple hotkey.
- Touchpad Disable: This software lets you disable the touchscreen, touchpad, and other input devices.
- Touchscreen Disable: This program offers the ability to disable the touchscreen based on specific conditions, such as when an external mouse is connected.
Choosing the Right Method
The best method for disabling your Surface Go’s touchscreen depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown:
- On-Screen Keyboard: This is the most convenient and temporary method for quickly disabling the touchscreen.
- Device Manager: This method is more permanent than the on-screen keyboard and offers a more controlled approach.
- Registry Editor: This method provides a permanent solution but requires caution as it involves editing sensitive system files.
- BIOS: This method is the most permanent and offers a system-level solution, but it might not be available on all Surface Go models.
- Third-Party Software: These applications offer additional features and flexibility, but they require installation and might have limitations.
When to Consider Enabling the Touchscreen
While disabling the touchscreen can be beneficial in certain situations, there are times when you might want to re-enable it. Here are some scenarios:
- Using touch-optimized applications: Some applications are designed specifically for touchscreen interaction and may not function properly without it.
- Using touch-based features: Features such as pinch-to-zoom or scrolling with your fingers may require the touchscreen to be enabled.
- Using the Surface Pen: If you use the Surface Pen for drawing or note-taking, you’ll need to re-enable the touchscreen.
Wrapping Up: Taking Control of Your Surface Go
Disabling the touchscreen on your Surface Go can be a valuable tool for enhancing your user experience and streamlining your workflow. By understanding the various methods available and choosing the one that best suits your needs, you can take full control of your Surface Go and customize it for optimal performance.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Can I disable the touchscreen permanently?
A: While you can disable the touchscreen permanently using the Registry Editor or BIOS, it’s generally recommended to use a temporary method like the on-screen keyboard or Device Manager. This allows you to easily re-enable the touchscreen when needed.
Q: Will disabling the touchscreen affect my Surface Pen functionality?
A: Yes, disabling the touchscreen will also disable the Surface Pen functionality. To use the Surface Pen, you’ll need to re-enable the touchscreen.
Q: Can I disable the touchscreen only when using an external mouse?
A: Some third-party applications allow you to disable the touchscreen based on specific conditions, such as when an external mouse is connected. However, there’s no built-in functionality in Windows to achieve this.
Q: Is there a way to disable the touchscreen for specific applications?
A: There’s no built-in way to disable the touchscreen for specific applications in Windows. However, some third-party applications offer this functionality.
Q: Will disabling the touchscreen affect the performance of my Surface Go?
A: Disabling the touchscreen should not have a significant impact on the performance of your Surface Go. However, if you experience any issues, you can always re-enable the touchscreen.
