Windows 11 provides flexibility in how you interact with your device, including the ability to customize the scrolling direction of your touchpad and mouse. Whether you prefer the traditional scrolling method or the 'natural' scrolling found on smartphones and tablets, adjusting this setting can enhance your user experience. This guide will show you how to change the scroll direction for both touchpads and mice in Windows 11.

How to Change Touchpad Scrolling Direction in Windows 11

Step 1: Open the Settings app by right-clicking the Start button and selecting 'Settings' from the menu, or press Windows+I on your keyboard.

Step 2: In the Settings window, navigate to the 'Bluetooth & devices' section on the left sidebar, then click on 'Touchpad' on the right pane.

Step 3: Under the 'Gestures & interaction' section, click on the 'Scroll & zoom' option to expand it.

Step 4: Locate the 'Scrolling direction' drop-down menu. Click it and select one of the following options:

  • Down motion scrolls up: Swiping upward on the touchpad will scroll down the page (reverse scrolling).
  • Down motion scrolls down: Swiping upward on the touchpad will scroll up the page (natural scrolling).

The change is applied immediately, so you can test the new scrolling direction right away. If you want to switch back, simply repeat these steps and choose the other option.

How to Change Mouse Scrolling Direction in Windows 11

Adjusting the scroll direction for a mouse isn't as straightforward, as Windows 11 doesn't offer a direct setting for this. However, you can modify the scroll behavior by editing the Windows Registry. Be cautious while doing this and consider backing up your registry beforehand.

Step 1: Open Device Manager by typing 'Device Manager' into the Start menu search bar and selecting it from the results.

Step 2: In the Device Manager window, expand the 'Mice and other pointing devices' category.

Step 3: Right-click on your mouse device—usually listed as 'HID-compliant mouse'—and select 'Properties' from the context menu.

Step 4: In the properties window, navigate to the 'Details' tab. From the 'Property' drop-down menu, select 'Device instance path'.

Step 5: In the 'Value' field, find the VID code located between two backslashes (\). It should look similar to 'VID_093A&PID_2510'. Make a note of this code.

Step 6: Click 'OK' to close the properties window, then close Device Manager.

Editing the Windows Registry to Change Mouse Scroll Direction

With your mouse's VID ID noted, you can now modify the registry to change the scroll direction.

Step 1: Press Windows+R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit.exe and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID

Step 3: Within the 'HID' folder, locate the folder that matches the VID ID you recorded earlier.

Step 4: Expand the matching VID folder and its subfolders until you find the 'Device Parameters' folder.

Step 5: Click on 'Device Parameters' and look for the 'FlipFlopWheel' entry in the right pane. This value controls the scroll direction of your mouse.

Step 6: Double-click on 'FlipFlopWheel' to edit its value. Change the 'Value data' field to one of the following:

  • 0: For traditional scrolling (scroll up to move up, scroll down to move down).
  • 1: For reverse scrolling (scroll up to move down, scroll down to move up).

Select the option that suits your preference and click 'OK'.

Step 7: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Your mouse should now scroll in the direction you've selected.

Using Third-Party Software to Change Mouse Scroll Direction

If you're not comfortable editing the registry or if the above method doesn't work, consider using third-party software to modify your mouse's scrolling behavior. Many mouse manufacturers offer their own software utilities. For example, Logitech provides Logitech Options for its mice, and Razer offers Razer Synapse. These programs often include settings to reverse the scroll direction.

If your mouse doesn't have dedicated software, you can use utilities like X-Mouse Button Control or WizMouse. These applications allow you to customize various mouse functions, including the scrolling direction.

By customizing the scroll direction of your touchpad or mouse, you can make navigation in Windows 11 more intuitive and better suited to your personal preferences.