Windows 10: trackpad gestures and new multi-monitor support (video)

Although trackpad gestures has been around for a while, they worked very differently because PC manufactures were the ones building the gestures. But in Windows 10 things are changing as Microsoft is now adding its own trackpad gestures to make users more productive in the upcoming release of the operating system.

During the TechEd Europe 2014 keynote, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore showed off the new trackpad gestures users will be getting soon in Windows 10 for testers. In “Windows 10 we’re adding support for power-users in a touch pad, where multiple finger gestures can make you really efficient.” Belfiore notes.

Here are Windows 10 new trackpad gestures:

  • Minimize all open windows on the desktop by swiping down with 3 fingers.
  • Maximize all minimized windows on the desktop by swiping up with 3 fingers.
  • View all virtual desktops by swiping up with 3 fingers while having all windows maximized.
  • Switch between open apps (ALT+Tab) by swiping left and right with 3 finger to choose an app.

If the new gestures look familiar, well… It should, they are very similar to what Apple’s OS X users has been already using. Looking closely to what Microsoft is doing in Windows 10, you will notice that Task View (virtual desktops) looks similar to Mission Control in OS X, and the three finger swipe up gesture is the same. And the three finger left and right swipe to switch apps is the same as Apple’s operating system features to move between apps that are in full screen mode.

This isn’t the only feature Joe Belfiore demoed, from the Windows 10 build 9865, Belfiore also showed improvements on snapping windows on multiple monitor setup. In the next version of Windows, users will able to snap windows side-by-side on multi-monitor configurations, something highly requested by power-users.

The new feature works by dragging the app you want close to edge of the screen, where a transparent placeholder will appear indicated in which monitor the app will snap.

The new features will be included in the next Windows 10 Technical Preview build and the company is saying that is focusing Windows 10 on smoothing things up for power-users.

About the author

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.