How to disable touchpad when mouse is connected

Last Updated: Feb 15, 2024 by

If you’re someone who prefers using a mouse over a touchpad, you may find it frustrating when your touchpad interferes with your mouse movements. This is a common issue for many laptop users, but luckily, there are ways to disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected. In this article, we’ll discuss how to disable touchpad when a mouse is connected on different devices and operating systems.

Disabling Touchpad on Windows 10

If you’re using a Windows 10 laptop, you can easily disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Start menu and click on “Settings.”
  2. In the Settings menu, click on “Devices.”
  3. Select “Touchpad” from the left-hand menu.
  4. Under the “Touchpad” section, toggle off the “Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected” option.

This will disable your touchpad whenever a mouse is connected to your laptop. If you want to re-enable your touchpad, simply toggle the option back on.

Disabling Touchpad on Mac

If you’re using a Mac, you can disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Apple menu and click on “System Preferences.”
  2. In the System Preferences menu, click on “Accessibility.”
  3. Select “Mouse & Trackpad” from the left-hand menu.
  4. Under the “Trackpad Options” section, check the box next to “Ignore built-in trackpad when mouse or wireless trackpad is present.”

This will disable your touchpad whenever a mouse is connected to your Mac. If you want to re-enable your touchpad, simply uncheck the box.

Disabling Touchpad on Dell Laptops

If you’re using a Dell laptop, you can disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected by following these steps:

  1. Press the “Windows” key and type “Dell Touchpad” in the search bar.
  2. Click on “Dell Touchpad” from the search results.
  3. In the Dell Touchpad menu, click on “Touchpad Settings.”
  4. Under the “Touchpad” tab, click on “Sensitivity.”
  5. Check the box next to “Disable touchpad when USB pointing device is present.”

This will disable your touchpad whenever a mouse is connected to your Dell laptop. If you want to re-enable your touchpad, simply uncheck the box.

Other Options

If you’re using a different device or operating system, you can also try searching for specific instructions on how to disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected. Some devices may have a physical button or switch to disable the touchpad, while others may require you to go into the device’s settings.

In conclusion, if you’re someone who prefers using a mouse over a touchpad, you can easily disable your touchpad when a mouse is connected. This will help improve your overall user experience and prevent any interference between your mouse and touchpad movements. Give these methods a try and see which one works best for you.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.