# Is it possible to disable my laptop's touchpad?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 8, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711 "2005-01-08T04:51:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711/1 "2005-01-08T04:51:59Z")

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I’m using a Dell Inspiron 8600 and am wondering if it’s possible to disable the touchpad whenever I have a mouse plugged in (which is almost always).

When I’m typing, my palm will often brush on the touchpad causing the cursor to jump. Most annoying.

Can this be done? How?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711/2 "2005-01-08T04:59:28Z")

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I have a Dell Latitude, and on the system tray there is a little icon for the touch pad. Double clicking on that brings up a menu of items. One of the tabs is “Device Select” with which you can actually disable the touch pad and use the mouse stick (the thing between the G and H keys). It’s not a very precise solution, but if you almost have your mouse plugged in, it should help.

I thought there was a specific “Disable Touch Pad when Mouse is Present” option, but I can’t seem to find it.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711/3 "2005-01-08T05:00:21Z")

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[From your manual](http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8500/en/8600cr/OM/D77111LRs.pdf) (pdf file)

> [@](#):
>
> Customizing the Touch Pad  
> You can disable the touch pad or adjust their settings by using the Mouse Properties window.  
> 1 Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers and Other Hardware.  
> Click Mouse.  
> 2 On the Mouse Properties window:  
> • Click the Device Select tab to disable the touch pad.  
> • Click the Pointer tab to adjust touch pad settings.  
> 3 Select the desired settings and click Apply.  
> 4 Click OK to save the settings and close the window.

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**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711/4 "2005-01-08T05:00:31Z")

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Incidentally the “Mouse” menu on the Control Panel brings up this same menu.

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**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-disable-my-laptops-touchpad/283711/5 "2005-01-08T05:10:19Z")

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Terrific! Thanks!