- Key gestures on screen and touchpad: taps, pinches, and 3- and 4-finger swipes to navigate, show desktop, switch apps and desks.
- Full customization in Settings: define actions for swipes and multi-taps, and record keyboard shortcuts customized from Advanced Gestures.
- Two-finger scrolling, natural direction, and inactive background, with driver solutions if it fails.

If you work with Windows 11 On a touchscreen laptop, tablet, or 2-in-1, mastering gestures is the most direct way to navigate the system with lightning speed. These gestures transform taps, swipes, and pinches into actions you previously performed with a mouse or keyboard, allowing you to activate system views, switch desktops, or open panels with a simple combination of fingers. Learning and customizing them saves you clicks and time..
In addition to the precision touch panel, Windows Version 11 recognizes more touchscreen gestures than previous versions. You'll find everything from basic actions like tap to select or double-tap to open, to four-finger swipes to switch between virtual desktops. The key is to combine screen gestures, touchpad gestures, and keyboard shortcuts. for a smooth and productive experience.
Essential gestures on touchscreens
Touch interaction in Windows 11 replicates what you do with the mouse, but with nuances: touching an element is equivalent to a left click, while holding it down a little longer activates the context menu (the famous right click). With two fingers you can scroll or zoom by pinching, and by swiping from the edges you access system panels.
To navigate the system quickly, remember these shortcuts: swipe in from the right edge to open the notifications and quick settings panel, and swipe in from the left edge to show widgets. To close those panels, simply slide back or tap on the desktop.
Windows 11 adds very useful three-finger gestures: swipe up to see all open windows (Task View), swipe down to clear the desktop, and swipe sideways to jump to the last app you were using. With four fingers, you can alternate between virtual desktops, either left or right., ideal for separating work, leisure or studies.
Beyond navigation, you can drag items with your finger to move files, windows, or icons, just like you would on a mobile device. If you need to zoom in or out, spread or pinch two fingers together to control the zoom. It's a fine, comfortable, and natural control..
| AGENDA | Touchscreen gesture |
|---|---|
| Select | Tap once |
| OPEN | Double touch |
| Context menu (right click) | Hold down |
| Displacement | Two fingers sliding vertically or horizontally |
| Zoom | Pinch or separate two fingers |
| View all windows | Swipe three fingers up |
| Show desktop | Swipe three fingers down |
| Go to the latest app | Swipe three fingers left or right |
| Notification Center | Slide in from the right edge |
| Widgets | Slide in from the left edge |
| Change desktop | Swipe four fingers left or right |
Precision touchpad gestures
If you use a laptop, the precision touchpad gives you superpowers; learn how to Configure and customize touchpad gestures to get the most out of it. In addition to tapping to select and scrolling with two fingers, you can pinch to zoom and access system functions with three- and four-finger gestures. The experience is similar to that of a touchscreen but with subtle differences that is worth knowing.
For example, to open the context menu on the touchpad you don't need to hold down on an item: you can tap with two fingers at the same time or tap the bottom right corner of the panel. That combination replaces the traditional right-click and it is usually more accurate.
On the horizontal axis, the behavior also varies: on screen, three fingers to the left or right take you to the last open application; on the touchpad, that gesture cycles through active applications and windows. Furthermore, there is no direct gesture from the touchpad to view widgets, reserving that access to the left edge of the touch screen.
| AGENDA | Touchpad gesture |
|---|---|
| Select an item | One touch |
| Travel | Two fingers sliding vertically or horizontally |
| Zoom | Pinch or separate two fingers |
| Right click | Tap with two fingers or press the bottom right corner |
| View all windows | Swipe three fingers up |
| Show desktop | Swipe three fingers down |
| Switch between apps or windows | Swipe three fingers left or right |
| Open search or Cortana | Tap with three fingers (depending on settings) |
| Notification Center | Tap with four fingers |
| Change desktop | Swipe four fingers left or right |
A helpful note: In some configurations, a three-finger tap opens system search or the old Cortana experience, while a four-finger tap launches the notification center or quick actions. All of this is customizable from Settings, as you will see below.
How to configure and customize touchpad gestures
Windows 11 centralizes settings in a very logical path: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. From there you can adjust sensitivity, scrolling, pinch, and, most interestingly, three- and four-finger gestures. It's the control panel for your touch shortcuts.
In Gestures and interaction, you'll find the key settings. Within Three- or four-finger gestures, open the swipe menu and choose from four preset behaviors for those gestures: None; Switch apps and show the home screen; Switch home screens and show the home screen; and Switch audio and volume. Depending on your choice, vertical or horizontal slides will do different things..
In the first two configurations, the upward swipe displays Task View and the downward swipe clears the desktop, while the lateral swipe switches between applications or desktops accordingly. If you choose audio mode, the vertical axis adjusts the volume, while the left and right swipes skip tracks. It's perfect for controlling playback without touching the mouse..
You can also assign functions to three- or four-finger taps. Classic options include opening search, displaying the notification center, playing or pausing, and emulating the middle mouse button. If you want to go further, go to Advanced Gestures.
The advanced settings offer a much wider range of options: in addition to the above, you can assign back and forward mouse buttons and define a custom keyboard shortcut that will be executed when the gesture is performed. To do this, select Custom Shortcut, click Start Recording, press the desired key combination, and finish with Stop Recording. That gesture will launch the exact shortcut you've recorded..
| AGENDA | AGENDA | AGENDA |
|---|---|---|
| Switch app | Task view | Show desktop |
| Change desktop | Hide everything except the app in focus | Create desktop |
| Remove desktop | Move along | Back |
| Attach to the left | Attach to the right | Maximize window |
A practical tip: if your computer is older, your touchpad might not be precise enough and may not support all gestures. In that case, it's worth checking for newer drivers from the manufacturer and, if possible, enabling enhanced options from their control panel. The precision option makes all the difference in Windows 11.
Activate and adjust two-finger scrolling
The two-finger scrolling gesture is essential on any modern laptop. If it's not working, it's most likely disabled. Activate it in Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Touch panel, within the pan and zoom section.
When you expand that section, activate the two-finger drag option for scrolling. Just below, you'll find the scrolling direction: you can leave it in natural scrolling (you move your fingers down and the content follows that direction) or reverse it (you move your fingers down and the document moves up). Choose the option that is most convenient for you.
Another very useful feature is being able to move over background windows without activating them: place the pointer over the window you want to move and slide with two fingers. This is how you navigate between panels without losing focus on the main application..
If, after adjusting these options, the gesture still isn't working properly, check the Device administratorLocate the touchpad, go into its properties, and check for updates in the driver tab. In case of failure after an update, you can revert the driver to the previous version. and wait for a correction from the manufacturer.
Keyboard shortcuts that complement gestures
Gestures shine when combined with system keyboard shortcuts. Windows 11 retains most of the shortcuts from Windows 10 and adds some new ones. Using them together is the recipe for working faster.
Active window control
From moving and docking windows to opening the Explorer or locking a session, these are the basics for managing the active window. Learn them and you'll notice the jump in productivity instantly..
- Windows + Left Arrow: places the current window in the left half.
- Windows + Right Arrow: places the window in the right half.
- Windows + Up Arrow: Moves to the top area or maximizes if in windowed mode.
- Windows + Down Arrow: restores from maximized or minimizes if already in windowed mode.
- Windows + comma: Temporarily hides all windows while you hold down Windows.
- Windows + M: minimizes all windows.
- Windows + D: Shows the desktop (minimizes or restores).
- Ctrl + Shift + M: restores all minimized windows.
- Windows + Start: minimizes all except the active one.
- Windows + E: Opens File Explorer.
- Windows + W: Opens the widgets panel.
- Windows + T: cycles through the items on the taskbar and opens with Enter.
- Windows + number: Opens the app pinned to that position on the taskbar.
- Alt + Tab: toggles between open windows.
- Alt + F4: closes the active window.
- Windows + Shift + Left or Right Arrow: sends the window to the adjacent monitor.
- Windows + L: locks the session.
- Windows + period: opens the emoji picker.
Management of virtual desktops
Virtual desktops help to separate contexts and focus better. Create, navigate, and close desktops without taking your hands off the keyboard.
- Windows + Tab: Opens task view with desktops.
- Windows + Ctrl + D: creates a new virtual desktop.
- Windows + Ctrl + Left Arrow: switches to the left desktop.
- Windows + Ctrl + Right Arrow: switches to the right desktop.
- Windows + Ctrl + F4: Closes the current desktop.
File Explorer Shortcuts
Manipulating files and folders with keys saves you tons of clicks. These shortcuts work in Explorer and in many system views.
- Windows + E: opens a new Explorer window.
- Alt + D: jumps to the address bar.
- Ctrl + E: Selects all contents of the current folder.
- Ctrl + F: activates the search box.
- Ctrl + N: opens an additional Explorer window.
- Ctrl + W: Closes the active Explorer window.
- Ctrl + mouse wheel: changes the size of the icons or the view.
- Alt + P: Shows or hides the preview pane.
- Alt + Enter: opens the properties window.
- Alt + Right Arrow: go to the next item or folder.
- Alt + Up Arrow: go up to the parent folder.
- Alt + Left Arrow: return to the previous item.
- End: jumps to the end of the list.
- Home: goes to the beginning of the list.
- F11: maximizes or restores the window.
General system shortcuts
These are everyday access points that open panels, search, settings, and special menus in Windows 11. They give you immediate access to key functions.
- Windows + W: Shows widgets.
- Windows + Q or Windows + S: opens search.
- Windows + C: launches Microsoft Teams (if available).
- Windows + I: Opens Settings.
- Windows + A: Opens quick settings (connectivity, volume, brightness).
- Windows + N: opens notifications.
- Windows + X: opens the advanced menu of the Start button.
- Windows + Z: Opens window snap layouts.
- Shift + click on taskbar icon: opens a new instance.
- Ctrl + Shift + click on taskbar icon: run as administrator.
- Shift + right-click on taskbar icon: opens classic window menu.
- Shift + click on grouped buttons: toggles between windows in the group.
Text editing and selection
Copying, pasting, and cutting are just the beginning. Master these combinations to select and navigate through text with precision.
- Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert: paste.
- Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert: copy.
- Ctrl + X: cut.
- Ctrl + A: select all.
- Ctrl + F: search in the document or page.
- Shift + Arrows: zoom in or out on selection character by character or line by line.
- Ctrl + Shift + Left or Right Arrow: select word by word.
- Shift + Home or End: select up to the beginning or end of the line.
- Shift + Page Up or Page Down: select up to the top or bottom edge of the view.
- Ctrl + Shift + Home or End: select up to the beginning or end of the text.
Other very practical shortcuts
For common, everyday tasks, these shortcuts get you out of a tight spot quickly. They range from Task Manager until the magnifying glass and the capture.
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc: opens the Task Manager.
- Windows + R: opens Run.
- Shift + Delete: permanently deletes (bypassing the Recycle Bin).
- Windows + U: Opens the Ease of Access Center.
- Windows + Print Screen: saves a full screenshot in Pictures/Captures.
- Windows + Shift + S: opens the snipping tool to capture the screen area.
- Windows + G: Opens the game bar.
- Windows + H: activates voice dictation.
- Windows + K: Opens Connect to project or stream.
- Windows + Alt + G: Starts background recording (if enabled).
- Windows + Alt + R: stops screen recording.
- Windows + P: Choose projection mode with a second screen.
- Windows + plus sign: zoom in with magnifying glass.
- Windows + minus sign: zooms out with the magnifying glass.
Tips and troubleshooting for touchscreens
If you notice that the touch response is uneven or some gestures don't react, clean the screen with a soft cloth and make sure you're not wearing gloves or protective gear that blocks the detection. Also check in Settings that touch input is enabled and update the system.
For devices from brands like Dell, there are specific guides with recommendations and diagnostics for when a gesture doesn't work or the panel seems less sensitive. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer's support through their website. for assistance and certified controllers.
Remember that, in tablet mode and desktop mode With the keyboard detached, Windows 11 adjusts certain gestures for greater comfort. And if a feature is missing, it's usually due to the type of keyboard. hardware: there are devices without some sensors or without a precision touchpad. Always check the model and technical capabilities of the equipment.
Technology media outlets have compiled these gestures in multiple guides, including commercial pieces, highlighting that today the use of taps, swipes and pinches speeds up daily work in Windows 11. Whatever guide you follow, the important thing is to internalize the gestures that best fit your flow..
Mastering screen gestures, taking advantage of the precision touchpad, and customizing three- and four-finger swipes creates a highly responsive experience. Add to that the system's keyboard shortcuts, and you can open Task View, switch desktops, adjust the volume, or jump between applications effortlessly. With a few hours of practice, you'll be able to navigate Windows 11 with an ease that's hard to achieve using only a mouse..
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