How to Use Tablet Mode in Windows 11

There isn't a tablet mode toggle. Instead, convert it into a tablet physically however your 2-in-1 works, like by removing the keyboard or folding the screen

By
Matthew S. Smith
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Matthew S. Smith
Writer
  • Beloit College
Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others.
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Updated on November 28, 2023
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What to Know

  • Microsoft removed the manual tablet mode button from Windows 11.
  • To use tablet mode, convert your 2-in-1 into a tablet however yours works. For example, by removing the keyboard.
  • Tablet features turn on or off automatically when you switch between tablet and laptop orientation.

This article explains how to use tablet mode in Windows 11.

How to Use Tablet Mode in Windows 11

Tablet mode has changed in Windows 11. Unlike prior versions of Windows, which offered a manual toggle, Windows 11 makes tablet mode a fully (and only) automatic feature.

You can turn on tablet mode by physically converting your Windows 2-in-1 into a tablet. If your device has a detachable keyboard, remove it. If it uses a 360-degree folding hinge, push the screen back. Tablet mode will turn on automatically when the sensors in your device detect you want to use it as a tablet.

A Microsoft Surface tablet with keyboard detached.
A Microsoft Surface Pro running Windows 11 will switch into tablet mode when the keyboard is removed.

Microsoft

Want to turn tablet mode off? Physically convert the tablet back into a laptop by reattaching the keyboard or rotating the screen back into a clamshell laptop orientation.

You'll also need a touchscreen enabled on your device. This feature should be present by default on compatible Windows 11 2-in-1s, but you can enable the Windows 11 touchscreen manually if it's not working.

Does Windows 11 Have Tablet Mode?

Technically speaking, Windows 11 doesn't have tablet mode. Microsoft removed all mention of this mode in documentation and has included it on Windows 11's list of depreciated or removed features.

However, Windows 11 still has a mode which works only when a device is in tablet orientation, and this mode functions as it did in Windows 10. Strangely, this set of features doesn't have a name in Windows 11, so most users still refer to it as tablet mode.

This mode will maximize active windows and change the shape of some interface elements to improve the touchscreen experience. The only significant difference is that you no longer have manual control.

Why Did Windows 11 Get Rid of Tablet Mode?

Microsoft hasn't offered an official explanation for its decision to ditch all mention of tablet mode and make its functionality an automatic feature bundled into the interface instead of one that you can toggle on and off.

The company might believe removing tablet mode simplifies the user experience. Manual control of tablet mode in prior versions of Windows had its perks but it could confuse users who turned the mode on or off by accident.

It's also worth mention few pure Windows tablets exist. Most devices are 2-in-1s which may be used in a variety of modes that technically aren't a tablet. Tent mode, which uses an attached keyboard as a stand to place the touchscreen closer to the user, is a popular example.

FAQ
  • Can I force tablet mode in Windows 11?

    It's not possible to manually activate or force tablet mode in Windows 11's settings. No readily available hack or tool exists to re-enable this feature at present.

  • How do I disable tablet mode in Windows 10?

    Windows 10 has tablet mode settings in the Action Center. Click the speech bubble icon in the lower-right corner of the Desktop, and then select Tablet mode to toggle the feature.

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