Permanently disable Touchscreen in Windows 10 [Solution inside!]

Question

In this forum there are a dozen threads that ask the same question: How can I permanently disable a defective touchscreen in a Windows 10 device so that I can continue using the device without being disturbed by the faulty signals from the touchscreen.

Unfortunately in none of those threads (at least not those I've found) the question is answered properly. Instead the helpers fantasize about the device manager (which doesn't work since Windows just reenables the disabled device at the latest when rebooting) and claim that there is no other solution in Windows.

Luckily there actually IS a solution which I'll explain now:

1. Open regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Touch
3. Create a new DWORD (32 bit) with the name TouchGate
4. Doubleclik on the newly ceated DWORD and make sure it has the value 0

(0 = touch disabled, 1 = touch enabled)

After rebooting the touch functionality should be disabled permanently and therefore your problem solved.

(I could not give this solution to the already existing threads because unfortunately they have been closed with no correct answer... hope someone in the future finds this ...)

Answer 1

If you can open Command Prompt, suggest creating a registry update file using Notepad. 

1. From the command prompt type notepad touchgate.reg , it will prompt to create the file.
2. Type these 3 lines below in the  touchgate.reg  file.

3 Save the file and you can run it by typing touchgate.reg from the location you saved the file.

4. It will prompt to see if you want to continue.
5. Click Yes.
6. Since we are updating registry , you need to reboot to accept the change.

Three lines below to put in the file touchgate.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Wisp\Touch]

"TouchGate"=dword:00000000

Answer 2

Hi Shay,

I was able to create the notepad file and access it without issue to verify that it saved properly. However the file wipes itself out upon reboot. I tried a few times with no luck. 

Any reason you're aware of why the registry changes won't stick? Seems to be the same result whether I toggle the value right in the registry or create the notepad file.

Answer 3

I think this solution will work for me, however the TouchGate value automatically reverts back to 1 upon reboot. Possibly regedit needs to be run with administrative rights is my guess... Can anyone direct me how to do that? 

My computer is almost useless at this time, the constant false "touch signals" on the screen is happening so rapidly that I cannot login to windows. The only thing I'm able to do is reboot, enter recovery mode and then open the command prompt to get to the registry editor.

Hoping someone can help. Thanks!!

Answer 4

Bless you!  I had disabled the touchscreen in Device Manager a month ago, and it worked fine until yesterday.  Suddenly, the cracked touchscreen starting going all wonky again (with the bubbles and the random clicks).  I disabled the touchscreen again in Device Manager, but this morning, when I booted up, it was enabled again, and it took me a full 10 minutes of trying to even log in to Windows.  This solution seems to have worked.  All other "solutions" just give the same Device Manager procedure.

Answer 5

Hi,

Thanks for this Registry setting.  It worked even after Microsoft updates.  

Much appreciated.