If you want to know what we mean when we mention swipe, tap, or other ways to interact with this version of Windows when you’re using a touchscreen, take a look at this table.
What we say | How to do it | What it does |
---|---|---|
Tap ![]() |
Tap once on an item. |
Opens, selects, or activates whatever you tap. Similar to clicking with a mouse. |
Press and hold ![]() |
Press your finger down and hold for about a second. |
Shows info to help you learn more about an item or opens a menu specific to what you're doing. Only works for some items. Similar to right-clicking with a mouse. |
Pinch or stretch to zoom ![]() |
Touch the screen or an item with two or more fingers, and then move the fingers toward each other (pinch) or away from each other (stretch). |
Shows different levels of info. A good place to explore this is the Start screen or the Store. Visually zooms in or out, like with pictures or maps. |
Slide to scroll ![]() |
Drag your finger on the screen. |
Moves through what’s on the screen. Similar to scrolling with a mouse. |
Slide to rearrange ![]() |
Press and drag an item in the opposite direction you would scroll. (For example, if you would scroll left or right, drag the item up or down.) When you've moved the item to the new location, let it go. |
Moves an item. Similar to dragging with a mouse. |
Swipe to select ![]() |
Swipe an item with a short, quick movement in the direction opposite the way the page scrolls. For example:
|
Selects an item. This often brings up app commands. A good place to explore this is in the Mail app. |
Swipe or slide from the edge ![]() |
Starting on the edge, either swipe your finger quickly or slide across the screen without lifting your finger. |
|
Rotate ![]() |
Put two or more fingers on an item and then turn your hand. |
Rotates items in the direction you turn your hand. Only some items can be rotated. |
Your screen must be a touchscreen to use these interactions. To check your pen and touch settings:
Swipe in from the right edge of your screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
Click PC and devices, and then click PC info.
Your screen resolution must be at least 1024 x 768 to have multiple windows and apps on your screen at the same time. To check this setting:
Swipe in from the right edge of your screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
Tap PC and devices, and then tap Display.
To learn about how to do similar tasks using a mouse and keyboard, see Mouse and keyboard: What's new. For more about using the new features, see Get to know Windows.