How to Turn On or Off Tablet Mode in Windows 10
Continuum is Microsoft's new way of switching between tablet and desktop mode on a Windows 10 tablet or convertible PC as needed.
Tablet mode makes Windows easier and more intuitive to use with touch on devices like 2-in-1s, or when you don't want to use a keyboard and mouse.
In tablet mode, Start and apps (including older programs) open full screen, giving you more space to work in. To use two apps side-by-side, drag an app to one side. You'll see where it'll snap, along with any open apps that can snap right next to it. Use the back button on the taskbar to go back in an app or to the previous app you were using. When you're done with an app, drag it to the bottom of the screen to close it.
If your device has a smaller screen, the taskbar will automatically adjust to fit it.
You will see the desktop by default on a typical laptop or desktop.
Tablet mode will be turned on by default on tablets.
On a convertible PC (laptop/tablet hybrid), detaching or attaching the keyboard will prompt you by default to switch in and out of tablet mode.
Starting with Windows 10 build 10547 when in Tablet mode, from Task View you can now snap apps to left and right, replace a previously snapped app with another (teeter) and swipe down to close an app.
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off tablet mode to switch between using tablet mode and desktop mode in your user account in Windows 10.
The transparent Show desktop button on the taskbar is not available while tablet mode is on.
Tablet mode does not support multiple displays.
To enable tablet mode on a PC with multiple displays, press the Win+P keys to open Project, and click/tap on PC screen only.
To undo this, press the Win+P keys, and click/tap on Extend.
Contents
- Option One: Set to Use Tablet Mode or Desktop Mode when you Sign in in Settings
- Option Two: To Turn On or Off Tablet Mode in Action Center
- Option Three: To Turn On or Off Tablet Mode using a REG file
- Option Four: To Turn On or Off Tablet Mode in Settings
This option will not be available if your device does not have touch capabilities.
1 Click/tap on the Action Center (Win+A) system icon in the taskbar notification area.
2 At the bottom of the Action Center, click/tap on the Tablet mode button to toggle it on (blue) or off (gray) for what you want. (see screenshot below)
The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell
TabletMode DWORD
0 = Off
1 = On
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_On_Tablet_Mode.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_Off_Tablet_Mode.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, OK (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
This option is currently only available for some starting with Windows 10 build 19592.
1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the System icon.
2 Click/tap on Tablet on the left side, and click/tap on the Change additional tablet settings link on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn On or Off Table mode for what you want. (see screenshot below)
This setting will be grayed out if you have more than one display connected.
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Turn On or Off Use Start Full Screen in Windows 10
- List of Touch Gestures for Windows 10
- How to Hide or Show Touch Keyboard Button on Taskbar in Windows 10
- How to Hide or Show App Icons on Taskbar in Tablet Mode in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Auto-hide the Taskbar in Tablet Mode in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Ask before Automatically Switching to Tablet Mode in Windows 10
- How to Use Tablet Mode or Desktop Mode when you Sign in to Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Show Search Icon without Search Box when entering Tablet Posture in Windows 10