To turn off tablet mode in Windows 10, select the action center icon next to the clock on the taskbar, then select the Tablet mode tile so it’s no longer highlighted. Your normal desktop and taskbar come back. To stop it from turning on again, go to Settings > System > Tablet.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 27, 2026. The Tablet settings labels follow the Windows 10 interface.
In tablet mode, apps open full screen and the Start menu fills the screen. It’s made for touch screens. If the taskbar is still missing after you leave tablet mode, see how to get the taskbar back on Windows 10.
Turn off tablet mode in action center
- Select the action center icon at the right end of the taskbar, or press Windows + A.
- Select the Tablet mode tile. When it’s off, the tile isn’t highlighted.
If you don’t see the tile, select Expand above the tiles.
Stop tablet mode from turning on by itself
- Select Start > Settings > System > Tablet.
- Under When I sign in, choose Never use tablet mode.
- Under When I use this device as a tablet, choose Don’t switch to tablet mode.
On older versions of Windows 10, these settings are under Settings > System > Tablet mode, with a Make Windows more touch-friendly switch.
If the Tablet mode tile is missing
- Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions.
- Select Edit your quick actions, then Add > Tablet mode.
If you can’t add it, Windows may not see your PC as touch-capable. The settings in the previous section still work.
If things still look like tablet mode
- Start still fills the screen. That’s a separate setting. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and turn off Use Start full screen.
- Taskbar icons are missing. In Settings > System > Tablet, select Change additional tablet settings and turn off Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode. Then check that tablet mode is off.
- It switches back on when you fold the screen. On 2-in-1 laptops, choose Don’t switch to tablet mode under When I use this device as a tablet, as shown above.
- Windows keeps asking whether to switch. Under When I use this device as a tablet, choose a fixed option, such as Don’t switch to tablet mode, instead of Ask me before switching modes.
Frequently asked questions
My desktop icons are gone. Is that tablet mode?
Often, yes. Tablet mode hides desktop icons and shows apps full screen. Turn it off, and if icons are still missing, see how to show the desktop in Windows 10.
Does turning off tablet mode turn off the touch screen?
No. The touch screen keeps working. To turn it off, see how to turn off the touch screen in Windows 10.
Does Windows 11 have tablet mode?
Not as a separate mode. Windows 11 adjusts the taskbar and spacing automatically when you fold back the keyboard on a 2-in-1, so there’s nothing to turn off.
Can I use the touch keyboard without tablet mode?
Yes. Right-click the taskbar and select Show touch keyboard button. Tap the keyboard icon near the clock whenever you want to type by touch.
Will turning off tablet mode affect my pen?
No. Windows Ink and pen input keep working in desktop mode. You can still write and draw in apps that support a pen.
Why did tablet mode turn on by itself?
On 2-in-1 PCs, Windows may switch when you detach or fold the keyboard. It can also turn on at sign-in if When I sign in is set to use tablet mode.
Can I use tablet mode on a PC without a touch screen?
Yes, but there’s little reason to. Tablet mode makes apps full screen and spaces things out for fingers, which mostly gets in the way with a mouse.
On Windows 11, see how to turn tablet mode on or off in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s guide is Turn tablet mode on or off in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
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.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.