The touchscreen controls for Windows have come a long way, going from basically unsupported to fully integrated. However, there’s still a lot of work to do in terms of making them feel properly snappy and responsive. Dragging windows can feel a bit sluggish and the right-click menu can sometimes take an eternity to open.
Let’s take a look at a small fix we can perform to make the touchscreen controls in Windows just a little bit closer to what they should be.
Why Are the Touchscreen Controls So Unresponsive on Windows 11?
Windows is actually capable of very responsive touchscreen controls, no less snappy than those you would find on Android devices. The reason Windows 11 feels so unresponsive on a touchscreen is a combination of problems, most of them very small.
There are variable sensitivity and delay settings that, by default, can feel quite slow to some users. Additionally, the Windows 11 UI doesn’t always suit touchscreen controls.
While we can’t do anything about how the UI is designed beyondgetting familiar with Windows' many touchscreen gestures, we can adjust those settings so that the experience feels smoother.
How to Adjust the Touchscreen Settings
Open up your Start menu and search forChange touch input settings.After opening it, you’ll see a window with two different tabs. You want to enter into theTouchmenu.
There are two settings here we’ll be changing. Double-click intoDouble-tapand another window will open. Adjust theSpeedall the way toFastand just slightly inchSpatial tolerancetowardsLarge.
HitOkand then double-click intoPress and hold.
In this screen, adjustSpeedall the way toShortand theDurationall the way toLong.
HitOk, and finally,Apply.You could also disableShow visual feedback when touching the screen, though it won’t improve your touchscreen. Some users may find that the screen feels more intuitive to use when the input graphics aren’t visible, though.
Now you can give your touchscreen a go, making sure to test out how holding or double-tapping feels. Though it might seem minor, these two settings control a lot.
For example, grabbing a window and dragging it will now require less time spent holding down on the screen. Summoning the right-click menu will happen a lot faster, too. These small improvements can go a long way in making the Windows 11 touchscreen feel more natural.
Combine this withdisabling certain Windows animationsand the touchscreen experience should feel a lot better.
Other Ways to Improve Touch Sensitivity on Windows
Beyond the settings we’ve just adjusted, there’s not too much more tweaking you can do to the touchscreen settings. However, if you’re feeling like your touchscreen is still a bit off, it might be worth calibrating the touchscreen. If you searchCalibratein the Start menu, you can openCalibrate the screen for pen or touch input.
HitCalibrateand thenTouch input.This will open up a new screen where you’ll be prompted to touch different sides of the screen. It’s important you do this process very carefully, as poor calibration may make it feel worse.
Finally, consider simply cleaning your screen. A decent wipe-down can do a lot to improve touch accuracy.
Get Your Touchscreens Working as Intended on Windows
Touchscreens can finicky a lot of the time, but when they work, they can be extremely intuitive. While there’s still a lot to be desired with the Windows 11 touch support, you’re able to make it a little bit snappier with these simple fixes. Let’s hope it won’t take too long for the rest of the Windows UI to catch up.
