Irritating Surface Controls
Irritating Surface Controls
My usual AMD A10 laptop has decided it doesn't want me to use it, so I've dug out an older 2014 HP TouchSmart that used to be my number one system, reset it and ordered a second battery to help me get double the battery life for when I use it on the go (it's surprisingly slick to use, even for some light SolidWorks, given that it's got a 2012 i3-3217U, 4GB RAM and an HDD). Using the touchscreen can obviously be pretty convenient, but I find it slightly annoying when Windows enlarges everything a little bit, especially when I'm working in Word or PowerPoint. For example, if I hold my finger on the taskbar to right click, the buttons in the menu are much more filled out than they would be if I just used the mouse. In Office, if I insert a shape and then go to change the thickness of a line, the dropdown menus are larger too. I know this is probably a great feature for most people, but I'd just like to know if it's possible to turn off. Thank you!
I don’t know much about this. You seem to want the current setup, which is still quite limited. A major issue is that interacting with your system often results in missing your target by a small margin, many times. Typically, devices like iPads and phones use advanced algorithms combined with touch-sensitive interfaces to guide your gestures toward the correct controls. Modern Windows also offers this feature, though it relies on a responsive touch interface. Android and iOS provide similar functionality. Observe the generous spacing and clear boundaries between elements. See how dropdowns appear larger. Certain components such as date pickers allow scrolling on iOS. These design choices aren’t just about aesthetics—they have practical value. Significant research went into achieving this. Microsoft has introduced near-object detection for touch, but it struggles because the interface lacks proper separation between items, making it hard to distinguish. It performs better with native UWP apps and touch keyboards, especially as Windows 10 rolls out in 2021. On desktop environments, it falls short, requiring major redesigns. Windows 10X aims for a different direction, targeting low-cost devices and innovative form factors like foldable PCs. The goal is to eliminate old legacy systems, focusing instead on PWA apps or native UWP experiences. Microsoft is developing solutions to run older applications, but progress is slow and uncertain for the immediate future. This approach resembles Windows RT but refined, incorporating the UWP framework—more capable if you accept it. Previously, Windows 8’s Metro interface was very constrained and prone to errors. For Windows 10, the adjustments aim to improve touch usability, though they only partially address the problem. The OS tries to enlarge interfaces to aid touch interaction, but it remains imperfect. Some programs still don’t work well. Microsoft acknowledges these limitations but continues refining the experience. Office includes a Touch Mode option that can be toggled off. On the title bar, you’ll find a button to switch between mouse and touch navigation.