This guide explains how to use and customize tablet mode on Windows 11 devices, including automatic activation for 2-in-1 systems and adjustments for touch interactions. It details changes to the taskbar, touch keyboard settings, and display orientation, offering tips for an optimized touch experience.
For any touch screen device operating Windows 11, use the tablet mode feature to enhance the user experience. In Windows 11, tablet mode is enabled when the system recognizes that the screen is touch capable and the physical keyboard of the system is detached. For 2-in-1 Dell systems, this happens automatically when the system is transformed from laptop to tablet, and vice versa, enabling or disabling tablet mode accordingly. It is impossible to manually activate or force tablet mode in Windows 11 settings, as it once was in Windows 10.
When you activate tablet mode on a compatible device, Windows makes several modifications. The taskbar size and icons change to improve tactile usage and can become hidden beneath the screen when an app or window is open, providing more screen space. The on-screen touch keyboard appears whenever a typing field is selected but can also be enabled through a taskbar icon. Once on screen, you can reposition it to wherever you like.
The Microsoft Store and other built-in apps like Edge and Photos are designed for the latest Windows versions with touch usage in mind. Apps designed for touch input are opened in full screen mode by default, making them easier to interact with using touch gestures. Tablet mode promotes touch gestures, such as swiping from the sides to reveal the widgets and notifications. Use multi-touch gestures for navigation, control, and ease of access.
Here are some useful user interface settings you can customize in Windows 11 for tablet mode. To optimize the taskbar for touch interaction when tablet mode is detected, go into “Settings” and select “Personalization.” Click on “Taskbar,” and under “Taskbar behaviors” tick the option for “Optimize taskbar for touch interactions.” Look over the options for other features you may want to enable, such as automatically hiding the taskbar.
You can configure the behavior of the on-screen touch keyboard in “Settings” by selecting “Time & language,” then clicking on “Typing.” Under “Touch keyboard,” choose from the options and decide when the keyboard is displayed on the screen. To change the screen orientation, go to the system settings and select “Display.” Under “Scale & layout,” use the dropdown to choose a display orientation layout. When in tablet mode, you have the option to lock the screen rotation feature from here and also within the system tray or action center.
If you have any questions about tablet mode, contact us via one of the options on our support website.
