To reverse scrolling on a Windows 10 touchpad, select Start > Settings > Devices > Touchpad, and change Scrolling direction to Down motion scrolls down. Windows 10 has no setting for a mouse wheel, so for a mouse you use the mouse maker’s app or a registry change.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Reverse touchpad scrolling
- Select Start > Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
- Under Scroll and zoom, open the Scrolling direction list.
- Choose Down motion scrolls down to reverse it, or Down motion scrolls up to go back to the default.
The change works right away. If you don’t see Scrolling direction, your laptop doesn’t have a precision touchpad. Look for a scrolling setting in the touchpad maker’s app instead, usually under Additional settings on the same page.
Reverse mouse wheel scrolling
First check the mouse maker’s app, if it has one. Many include a reverse scroll option. Windows 11 has its own setting for this; see changing the mouse scrolling direction in Windows 11.
If not, you can flip the wheel in the registry. Editing the registry wrongly can cause problems, so follow the steps exactly and back up your PC first.
- Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand Mice and other pointing devices.
- Double-click your mouse, select the Details tab, and choose Device instance path from the list. Note the part that starts with VID_.
- Press Windows logo key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID, open the folder that matches your VID_ value, and then its Device Parameters folder. - Double-click FlipFlopWheel, change Value data to 1, and select OK.
- Restart your PC.
To undo it, set FlipFlopWheel back to 0 and restart.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my touchpad scroll the wrong way?
Windows 10 uses “down motion scrolls up” by default, like moving the page with your fingers. Change it in Touchpad settings as shown above.
Can I change how far each scroll moves?
Yes. In Settings > Devices > Mouse, use Choose how many lines to scroll each time. See how to change mouse sensitivity in Windows 10.
To turn the touchpad off completely, see how to turn the touchpad on or off in Windows 10.
Microsoft’s guides are Touch gestures for Windows and Change mouse settings. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to enable two-finger scrolling in Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
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