Windows 10 gesture to switch between virtual desktops

Windows 10 introduces virtual desktops, some sort of equivalent of Mission Control on OS X. You can switch between the desktops using the Task view or using Ctrl+Windows+Left/Right.

But I have been wondering if it is possible to switch with touchpad gesture, with a three-fingers swipe (like on OS X), which will be far more convenient. I don't think Microsoft will implement that before the release :(, it will probably need a tweak.

I have looked for some software to do that, but I haven't find anything. I tried to install a modded driver for my Synaptics touchpad in order to change the gestures' actions, but without success.

Does any of you have an idea about how to achieve that?

windows-10-preview

Fred

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 623

On the touchscreen you can swipe from left edge and then select the desired desktop – James Mertz – 2015-04-22T23:01:47.937

I think it's way to soon to ask for tweaks since there's no guarantee they will not implement a gesture for it (and of course any tweaks created for the Preview may break with the very next release). – Karan – 2015-04-23T01:21:33.037

Answers

Confirmed to work in the latest build of windows:

Use 4 fingers on touchpad, place them gently on touchpad together and slightly move them to left or right; Which causes the virtual desktop to be switched.(like windows key + tab). Takes some time getting used to but in the end you will end up creating even more virtual desktops for yourself.
Use 3 fingers on touchpad with same gesture to switch between apps(like alt + tab)

Remember though that in order for the new gestures to work, you have to install a windows 10 compatible touchpad driver, which is probably obtainable through windows update.

If not, you can manually update your touchpad driver via device manager(right click and press update)

lkn2993

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 496

What exactly do you mean with "latest build"? In the Insider program or just the latest windows updates? – Splitframe – 2016-03-05T17:37:55.613

At this time I'm not sure, the question has been answered 3 months ago so right now the windows update alone does it(tested yesterday) – lkn2993 – 2016-03-09T09:43:44.387

Hmm weird, I run the latest W10 version ( not in insider ) and updated my I2C and PS2 Touchpad driver in the device manager via Windows Update and still can't use 4 finger swipe to change virtual desktops :( I tried original synaptics drivers, but OH MY GOD are they worse by a landslide in terms of precision and feel. – Splitframe – 2016-03-10T12:31:59.337

It seems that the synaptics touchpad driver is a little quirky, In order to make it work you also have to uninstall any touch pad drivers that were installed in your windows 8 era, then obtain the latest version(2016 version) through your laptop support site, or the synaptics download page. I guess searching about "Synaptics driver wipeout" with your laptop model inserted in the search term can help. – lkn2993 – 2016-08-12T08:57:46.407

Latest build W10 with anniversary update, HP ProBook and it's working perfectly. – Pavel Pája Halbich – 2016-09-14T14:56:52.460

Can confirm, have run out of fingers. – Anthony Cregan – 2017-06-28T20:00:20.820

I can also confirm this is NOT working with the latest WIndows update, after deleting my synaptics driver completely and using Windows update's driver – NaturalBornCamper – 2017-12-08T01:18:47.400

Wish I could give double points for this gem, superb! – boardtc – 2019-02-19T17:11:56.293

I recently wanted to figure out how to do this on my Lenovo Thinkpad L440, so I wrote an AutoHotkey script to do it. This should work on any laptop with a Synaptics touchpad: https://www.wptutor.io/misc/windows-virtual-desktop-swipe-gestures

Leo Jiang

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 786

1Great script! I dropped it in autostart and it does exactly what I needed on my Lenovo Yoga. – domenukk – 2017-03-02T12:29:14.827

The link seems broken, I get a "Error establishing a database connection" error – SolveSoul – 2018-10-01T11:01:17.457

Link broken. the 3 fingers gesture works on my Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro but not 4 and I have windows 10 1903. – boardtc – 2019-10-19T20:51:03.107

I made a tool for this so that I didn't need to keep reaching for the keyboard when I was using vmware or some other program that ran on its own desktop, what it does is map keyboard keys to your touchpads 3 finger or 4 finger directional swipes, so you can map Ctrl+Windows+Left/Right to the left and right swipes to change desktops, I'll leave a link so that you can check it out and see if you like it.

MultiSwipe

UserName

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 77

Error "No touchpad found" on Dell XPS 15 9550 (2016) – Pawel – 2016-06-19T21:36:15.757

MultiSwipe (v3.2) works perfect. Windows 10 x64. Lenovo with ELAN Touchpad. Thanks for the app, you saved the day ! – NeoHQ – 2016-09-02T19:11:11.620

Works great on my Yoga 900! – Steve – 2017-05-15T22:38:21.783

Not working on DELL LATITUDE E6530 – Martin Braun – 2017-11-20T11:30:32.300

@modiX, check out my answer for Dell – Ofiris – 2018-01-29T21:15:48.927

unfortunately, I have MultiSwipe but no longer can use as no response from License error issues. The AutoHotkey and this have worked for me https://github.com/nullpo-head/Windows-10-Virtual-Desktop-Switching-Shortcut

– Shawn Cicoria – 2018-03-29T22:29:16.703

On Dell laptops, open the Dell Touchpad program and enable Four Finger Swipe under Multi Finger Gestures:

Ofiris

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 1 623

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ul43blen6mx6hpx/dell_fail.PNG?dl=0 This is what it looks at me, and it does not work. – Martin Braun – 2018-01-31T15:22:20.733

I have an asus laptop and use a program called "Asus Smart Gesture" which allows you to set a bunch of motion gestures on your touchpad. Using this, I found that swiping the touchpad with 4 fingers will switch between desktops. Try to download it for your computer at https://www.asus.com/support/Download/3/664/0/1/B54QCgYKVgEix639/CPUDRIVER_Ix-4xxxxU/41/

I don't know if it will work for you, but it did for me and I love it.

David

Posted 2015-04-22T22:08:50.383

Reputation: 11