To turn off the touch screen in Windows 10, right-click Start and select Device Manager. Expand Human Interface Devices, right-click HID-compliant touch screen, and select Disable device, then Yes. The screen stops responding to touch right away. To turn it back on, follow the same steps and select Enable device.
Keep a mouse or touchpad working before you start, so you can still use the PC.
Applies to: Windows 10 touch screen laptops and 2-in-1s, including HP, Dell, and Lenovo. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Turn off the touch screen
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Select the arrow next to Human Interface Devices to expand it.
- Right-click HID-compliant touch screen and select Disable device.
- Select Yes to confirm.
If you see more than one HID-compliant touch screen, disable each one.
Turn the touch screen back on
- Open Device Manager and expand Human Interface Devices.
- Right-click HID-compliant touch screen. A disabled device has a small down arrow on its icon.
- Select Enable device.
HP, Dell, and Lenovo laptops
The steps are the same on every brand, because the touch screen always appears in Device Manager.
If HID-compliant touch screen is missing
- Select View > Show hidden devices in Device Manager.
- Select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Check that your PC has a touch screen. In Settings > System > About, Pen and touch says No pen or touch input is available for this display if it doesn’t.
- Install the latest drivers from your PC maker. See how to update all drivers on Windows 10.
If touch works badly instead
Before turning it off, try Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input in Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Tablet PC Settings. Clean the screen too. Dirt and moisture can cause ghost touches.
Frequently asked questions
Does disabling touch turn off the pen?
Often, yes. On many PCs the pen uses the same device. Turn touch back on if your pen stops working.
Will Windows turn the touch screen back on by itself?
A big Windows update or driver update can turn it back on. Disable it again if that happens.
Can I turn off touch with a shortcut?
Windows 10 has no built-in shortcut. Device Manager is the reliable way.
To change how fast the mouse pointer moves, see how to change mouse sensitivity in Windows 10.
To turn off the touchpad instead, see how to turn the touchpad on or off in Windows 10.
If your screen switched to full-screen apps and a big Start menu, see how to turn off tablet mode in Windows 10.
To change how the mouse pointer looks instead, see how to change your cursor in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Enable and disable a touchscreen in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to turn on the touch screen in Windows 11.
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.