How to Change Touchpad Scroll Direction on a Windows Laptop

You can change the touchpad scroll direction on your laptop for easier and more intuitive navigation. Here’s how to do it in simple steps.

Key Takeaways:

• Windows uses inverted scrolling, also known as reverse scrolling, by default.
• The default or current touchpad scroll direction can be counterintuitive and frustrating for some users.
• You can change the touchpad scroll direction from the Touchpad settings in the Windows Settings app. The steps are provided below.

Table of contents:

• What’s the default scroll direction in Windows?
• Why change the scroll direction on a Windows laptop?
• How to change the touchpad scroll direction on your laptop
• Restore the default touchpad scrolling direction
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What’s the default scroll direction in Windows?

Windows, by default, uses what’s known as reverse scrolling or inverted scrolling for both the touchpad and mouse wheel.

In reverse scrolling, you swipe up to move to the bottom of the page and swipe down to move to the top of the page.

For most Windows users, the default touchpad scroll behavior feels pretty natural.

Why change the scroll direction on a Windows laptop?

Some might feel that inverted or reverse scrolling is counterintuitive. This is especially true if you are switching from other operating systems like macOS, which uses natural scrolling.

This might, in turn, impact your productivity and overall Windows user experience.

Luckily, it’s easy to change the scroll direction on your touchpad and enjoy smoother, more intuitive navigation. Follow the steps in this comprehensive guide, and you’ll be scrolling like a pro in no time. Whether you’re a beginner or a tech-savvy user, our guide has something for everyone. So don’t let inverted scrolling hold you back any longer – make the switch and experience the benefits of natural scrolling today!

How to change the touchpad scroll direction on a Windows laptop

You can change the touchpad scroll direction from the ‘Scroll & zoom’ section in the Windows Settings app. Let me show you where to find the option and how to change it to modify the touchpad scroll direction.

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Select “Bluetooth & Devices” on the sidebar.
3. Click on the “Touchpad” option.
4. Expand the “Scroll & zoom” section.
5. Choose an option from the “Scrolling direction” dropdown.
   1. Down motion scrolls up (inverted/reverse scrolling – default)
   2. Down motion scrolls down (natural scrolling)
6. Changes are saved automatically.
7. Close the “Settings” app.
8. With that, you’ve changed the touchpad scroll direction.

Steps with more details:

Since the options are available in the Settings app, open it. You can do that using the “Start key + I” keyboard shortcut or by searching for “Settings” in the Start menu.

Once the Settings app is opened, select “Bluetooth & devices” on the sidebar. Windows 10 users must go to the “Devices” page.

Now, click the “Touchpad” option to go to that page. As the settings page name implies, this is where you can modify and configure laptop touchpad settings in Windows.

Now, find and expand the “Scroll & zoom” section. This section allows you to change your laptop’s “touchpad scroll direction.”

Now, select a touchpad scroll direction from the “Scrolling direction” dropdown menu. Windows supports both natural and inverted scrolling. Select the one you like to use.

• Down motion scrolls up (inverted/reverse scrolling – default)
• Down motion scrolls down (natural scrolling)

As soon as you select a touchpad scrolling direction option, Windows applies that scrolling direction instantly and automatically.

Finally, close the Windows Settings application. From now on, Windows will use the newly selected scrolling direction.

Restore the default touchpad scrolling direction

When you want, you can undo the modifications and restore the default touchpad scroll direction. If you are wondering, Windows uses inverted scrolling (reverse scrolling). i.e., swiping up moves the page down, and swiping down moves the page up.

1. Open the “Settings” application with “Win + I.”
2. Select “Bluetooth & devices” on the sidebar.
3. Go to the “Touchpad” page.
4. Expand the “Scroll & zoom” section.
5. Select “Down motion scrolls up” from the “Scrolling direction” dropdown.
6. Setting are saved automatically.
7. You’ve restored the default touchpad scrolling direction on your Windows laptop.

As soon as you select the option, Windows uses the default touchpad scrolling direction.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding changing the touchpad scrolling direction on a laptop in Windows.

That is all. It is that simple to change the touchpad scroll direction on your Windows laptop.

I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.