On Windows 10, Microsoft introduces a long list of feature, including tablet mode, which is part of the continuum experience. Tablet mode lets Windows move seamlessly from a traditional windowed environment to a full screen environment to make easier to navigate Windows 10 using touch.
In other words, when using the tablet mode the desktop fades away and everything goes into full screen, apps will launch and stay completely expanded, you’ll see a new Start menu that covers the entire screen much like the Start screen in Windows 8.1.
Continuum is a feature that works automatically on 2-in-1 devices, such as Surface Pro 6 and Surface Go, but you can easily enable the feature if you’re more comfortable using that mode.
In this guide, you’ll learn the different ways to enable or disable tablet mode on Windows 10.
- How to enable Windows 10’s tablet mode using Action Center
- How to enable Windows 10’s tablet mode using Settings
How to enable Windows 10’s tablet mode using Action Center
The easiest way to enable tablet mode is by accessing the new Action Center (Windows key + A) and clicking tablet mode from the quick action tiles.
How to enable Windows 10’s tablet mode using Settings
There is an alternative way to enable Continuum and it’s by using the settings app:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Click on Tablet mode.
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Use the “When I sign in” drop-down, and select the Use tablet mode option.
Tablet mode in Settings - Sign out and sign back in to Windows 10.
Certain devices, such as Surface and other tablets have the ability to switch to tablet mode automatically when a keyboard isn’t connected. However, the automated option may not be for everyone, as such you can also configure Windows 10 to switch automatically or ask before switching.
Finally, on the tablet mode settings app, you can also enable or disable whether you like to see or hide the app icons on the taskbar while in tablet mode.
Update October 9, 2018: This guide was originally published in January 2015, and it’s been updated to reflect the new changes.
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 15 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 21 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].