To scroll on a laptop touchpad, place two fingers on it and slide them up or down; on many Windows touchpads, you can also slide left or right. If scrolling does not work or moves in an unexpected direction, check your touchpad settings. You can also use a connected mouse.
Scroll with the touchpad
Windows 11
Place two fingers on the touchpad and slide vertically to move through a page, or horizontally to move across content when the app supports it. Microsoft notes that some gestures require a precision touchpad, so the available controls can differ by laptop.
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To check the settings, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Confirm that the touchpad is enabled and review the gestures and options shown for your device. Microsoft documents these gestures in its Windows touch gestures guide.
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Windows 10
The two-finger gesture also applies to supported Windows 10 touchpads. Microsoft’s documented settings route is Settings > Devices > Touchpad; the options depend on the touchpad hardware. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so devices still running it no longer receive standard security updates from Microsoft. See Microsoft’s touch gestures documentation for the gesture guidance.
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Mac
Slide two fingers up or down on the trackpad to scroll. To review trackpad settings, open Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad. Apple’s trackpad settings guide describes the available options, which can vary by Mac and macOS version.
Change scroll direction on a Mac
Apple calls its direction setting Natural scrolling. When it is enabled, window contents move in the same direction as your fingers: sliding down moves the contents down. Find the option under Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad. Turn it off if you prefer the opposite behavior. The setting is explained in Apple’s trackpad settings guide.
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Adjust scrolling speed or turn trackpad scrolling off on a Mac
For trackpad scrolling controls, open Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad Options. Depending on the Mac, these options can include enabling or disabling scrolling, choosing whether to use inertia, and adjusting scroll speed. Inertia affects how scrolling continues after you lift your fingers. Apple lists the available controls in its Pointer Control settings guide.
Scroll with a mouse instead
Connect a mouse and use its scroll wheel or other scrolling control. On a Mac, you can adjust a connected mouse’s scrolling speed in Apple menu > System Settings > Mouse; the controls available depend on the mouse. See Apple’s Mouse settings guide.
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A separate mouse is optional: the touchpad’s two-finger gesture is the built-in method on supported laptops. Microsoft’s Surface touchpad guidance also describes touchpad controls that work like mouse buttons.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the input method that suits you
| Method | How it scrolls | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Touchpad | Slide two fingers vertically; supported Windows devices may also scroll horizontally. | Confirm the touchpad is enabled and supports the gesture you want. Settings vary by device. |
| External mouse | Use the mouse’s scrolling control. | On a Mac, review Mouse settings for available speed controls. Controls depend on the mouse. |
Choose based on whether you prefer a finger gesture or a physical scrolling control, and whether your device exposes the settings you need. For additional input options on a Mac, Pointer Control includes Mouse Keys, which lets you move the pointer and press the mouse button using the keyboard or numeric keypad. It is an accessibility control, not a universal keyboard shortcut for scrolling through every app.
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If scrolling does not work
- Try the basic gesture. Place two fingers on the touchpad and slide steadily in the direction you want the page or content to move.
- Check that the touchpad is enabled. In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad; in Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Touchpad. On a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad.
- Review the options your device provides. Not every touchpad supports every gesture. On a Mac, check Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad Options if scrolling is disabled or its speed and inertia feel wrong.
- Test a mouse if available. If a connected mouse scrolls but the touchpad does not, the issue is specific to the touchpad gesture or its settings. If neither input scrolls, the behavior may depend on the app or content you are using.
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