What To Know
- If you’re experiencing accidental touches or want to conserve battery life, disabling the touch screen on your Surface Pro 3 can be a helpful solution.
- If you’re using the Surface Pro 3 as a laptop and frequently encounter accidental screen taps while typing, disabling the touch screen can eliminate this issue.
- To re-enable the touch screen, simply follow the steps outlined in the methods above and change the settings back to their original values.
If you’re experiencing accidental touches or want to conserve battery life, disabling the touch screen on your Surface Pro 3 can be a helpful solution. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn the various methods for turning off the touchscreen functionality on your device.
Why Disable the Touch Screen?
There are several reasons why you might want to disable the touch screen on your Surface Pro 3:
- Prevent accidental touches: If you’re using the Surface Pro 3 as a laptop and frequently encounter accidental screen taps while typing, disabling the touch screen can eliminate this issue.
- Battery conservation: Disabling the touch screen can help extend the battery life of your device, as the touch sensor consumes power even when not in use.
- Use external peripherals: If you’re using a mouse or keyboard, disabling the touch screen can prevent conflicts and improve the overall user experience.
Methods to Disable the Touch Screen
1. Using the Device Manager
1. Open the Device Manager (press Windows Key ++ X and select “Device Manager”).
2. Expand the “Human Interface Devices” category.
3. Right-click on “HID-compliant touch screen” and select “Disable device.”
4. Confirm that you want to disable the device.
2. Using the Registry Editor
Warning: Editing the registry can be risky. Proceed with caution.
1. Open the Registry Editor (press Windows Key ++ R and type “regedit”).
2. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesTouchInput
3. In the right pane, double-click on “Start” and change its value to “4” (Disabled).
4. Close the Registry Editor and restart your Surface Pro 3.
3. Using the Surface Pro 3 Firmware
1. Download the latest firmware update for your Surface Pro 3 from the Microsoft website.
2. Install the firmware update following the on-screen instructions.
3. After the update is installed, the touch screen will be disabled by default.
4. Using a Third-Party Tool
There are several third-party tools available that allow you to disable the touch screen on your Surface Pro 3. One popular option is Touch Freeze, which provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for toggling the touch screen functionality.
Restoring Touch Screen Functionality
To re-enable the touch screen, simply follow the steps outlined in the methods above and change the settings back to their original values.
The Bottom Line: Touch Screen Control at Your Fingertips
Disabling the touch screen on your Surface Pro 3 can provide numerous benefits, from preventing accidental touches to conserving battery life. By utilizing the methods described in this guide, you can customize your device to meet your specific needs and optimize your user experience.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
1. Will disabling the touch screen affect the pen input?
No, disabling the touch screen will not affect the pen input. You can still use the Surface Pen to navigate, write, and draw on the screen.
2. Can I disable the touch screen temporarily?
Yes, you can use the Touch Freeze tool to temporarily disable the touch screen. This can be useful if you need to use external peripherals or prevent accidental touches for a specific task.
3. What if I encounter issues after disabling the touch screen?
If you experience any issues after disabling the touch screen, restart your Surface Pro 3. If the problem persists, try re-enabling the touch screen using the methods outlined above.
