In Windows 8, Microsoft introduced a new set of standardized trackpad and touchscreen gestures for laptops. Now the software maker is improving its previous work to bring more multi-finger gestures on Windows 10 to access some of the new features, including Cortana, Task View (virtual desktops), notification center, and more.
As for trackpad gestures, Windows 10 includes the ability to tap three fingers to open Cortana or tap four fingers to activate the new Action Center (notification center).
Swiping three fingers up on the trackpad will launch Task View (virtual desktops), and swiping three fingers down will show the desktop.
The new gestures in Windows 10 are in addition to the previous functionalities Microsoft included in Windows 8. The image below shows the complete list of one, two, three, and four-finger trackpad gestures included in Windows 10.
For those using tablets (touchscreens), the software maker is improving the touch swipe gestures without trackpad. Swiping from the left will bring up a grid with display the most recently used apps, and swiping from the right will activate the Action Center — so, no more Charms menu.
Swiping up from the bottom-edge using a trackpad brings up the taskbar, if an app is currently in full screen mode, and swiping down from the top-edge will display the app’s title bar with additional options. Dragging the app down to the bottom-edge will close the app completely — like in Windows 8 dragging and holding the app down for a few seconds.
Microsoft also says that has “relaxed requirements” on digitizers to allow a wider range of hardware to make use of the touch gestures.
The majority of these improvements are part of the new Tablet Mode, also known as Continuum, which is a new feature in Windows 10 aimed to make the operating system work better for 2-in-1 devices. Continuum is what Microsoft hopes will seamlessly convert from a keyboard & mouse-centric to touch-centric operating system, without the users ever needing to restart the PC. It will provide an immersive, adaptable experience for Windows Store apps, full support of desktop applications, lightweight tablet taskbar with global back button, and “auto-invoking” the touch keyboard.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].