In past iterations of the Windows operating system, the act of scrolling was limited to the active window you were currently engaged with. Meaning if you wanted to scroll through content in a particular window, you first had to click on it to make it active. Recognizing the need for a more fluid and intuitive user experience, Microsoft introduced the Inactive Scrolling feature in Windows 10. This innovative feature allows users to simply hover their mouse over a window and scroll, eliminating the need to click and activate the window first. While the advancement offers enhanced flexibility and efficiency, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For those who find themselves accidentally scrolling or who prefer the traditional method, there’s good news. Disabling the Inactive Scrolling feature in Windows 10 is straightforward and doesn’t require any third-party applications. This guide will walk you through the steps to both enable and disable this function based on your preferences.
This risewindows article will discuss two methods to disable Inactive Scrolling on your Windows system. These are as follows:-
- Enable or Disable Inactive Scrolling using the Settings app
- Turn On/Off Inactive Scrolling through Registry Editor
How to Disable the Inactive Scrolling Feature on Windows 10 using the Settings app?
Use the following steps to turn off the Inactive Scrolling feature in Windows 10:-
Step 1: On your computer, open the Settings app.
You can do it by simultaneously pressing the Windows logo + I keys on your keyboard.
Step 2: Go to the Devices category.
Step 3: Click on the Mouse in the left side menu under “Devices.”
Step 4: Turn OFF the toggle next to the “Scroll inactive window when I hover over them” on the right side in the Mouse category.
After completing all the above steps, Inactive Scrolling will be disabled on your Windows 10 computer.
How to Enable the Inactive Scrolling Feature in Windows 10 using the Settings app?
Use the following steps to turn on the Inactive Scrolling feature in Windows 10:-
Step 1: On your computer, open the Settings app.
You can do it by simultaneously pressing the Windows logo + I keys on your keyboard.
Step 2: Go to the Devices category.
Step 3: Click on the Mouse in the left side menu under “Devices.”
Step 4: Turn ON the toggle next to “Scroll inactive window when I hover over them” on the right side in the Mouse category.
After completing all the above steps, Inactive Scrolling will be enabled on your Windows 10 computer.
How to Enable or Disable Inactive Scrolling through Registry Editor?
Use the following steps to disable Inactive Scrolling through Registry Editor:-
Step 1: On your computer, press and hold the Windows logo and then press the R key on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: In the Run dialog box, type the following and press Enter:-
regedit
Step 3: As the Registry Editor window opens, browse the following:-
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Step 4: Double-click on the DWORD (32-bit) Value “MouseWheelRouting” on the right side pane of the desktop. Once you do it, set its “value data” from 2 to 0. This will disable Inactive Scrolling in Windows 10.
Step 5: Click on OK.
Step 6: Finally, reboot your computer.
After completing all the above steps, Inactive Scrolling will be disabled on your Windows 10 computer. In case you change your mind in the future and want it enabled again, repeat the above steps, and in step 4, change the Value data from 0 to 2.
Conclusion
While advancements in the Windows operating system, like the Inactive Scrolling feature, aim to offer users a seamless experience, it’s essential to acknowledge individual preferences. Whether you appreciate the ease of scrolling without making a window active or find the feature inadvertently causing scroll mishaps, Microsoft provides the flexibility to adjust to your liking. This RiseWindows tutorial highlighted two straightforward methods – using the Settings app or the Registry Editor – to enable or disable the Inactive Scrolling feature in Windows 10. Personalizing your computer’s behavior ensures an experience tailored to your habits, optimizing productivity and ensuring user satisfaction. Remember to navigate carefully when making changes, especially in the Registry Editor, and enjoy the tailored user experience Windows 10 has to offer.
