Many Windows 11 users wonder why scrolling on their touchpad or mouse feels “backward” compared to smartphones or MacBooks. Fortunately, Windows 11 allows you to customize your scroll direction to match your preference, whether you prefer natural scrolling (like swiping on a phone) or traditional scrolling.

This guide will show you how to change the scroll direction for touchpads, mice, and external devices.

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Why Change Scroll Direction?

• Natural scrolling: Content moves in the same direction as your fingers on the touchpad or touchscreen.

• Traditional scrolling: Content moves opposite to finger movement, which is default for many Windows devices.

• Improve workflow comfort for browsing, gaming, or document editing.

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Step-by-Step Methods to Change Scroll Direction

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1. Change Scroll Direction for Touchpad (Laptop)

Windows 11 lets you easily change touchpad behavior.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad.

3. Scroll down to Scroll & zoom.

4. Look for Scrolling direction.

5. Choose:

   • Down motion scrolls down (traditional)

   • Down motion scrolls up (natural)

6. Test scrolling on your touchpad to confirm.

⚠️ Note: The exact wording may vary depending on your laptop brand (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.).

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2. Change Scroll Direction for a Mouse

If you use an external mouse, changing scroll direction may require tweaks in Registry Editor or manufacturer software, as Windows 11 doesn’t provide a direct setting.

Option A: Use Manufacturer Software

• For Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, or other mice, open the respective device software.

• Look for Scroll Direction or Reverse Scroll settings and adjust.

Option B: Edit Registry for Standard Mice

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\HID


3. Find your mouse device under VID_xxxx&PID_xxxx → Device Parameters.

4. Look for FlipFlopWheel or FlipFlopHScroll.

5. Change the value:

   • 0 = normal

   • 1 = reversed

6. Restart your PC to apply changes.

⚠️ Editing the registry can cause issues if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

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3. Change Scroll Direction Using Third-Party Tools

If your device doesn’t support scroll customization natively, you can use tools like:

• AutoHotkey – create scripts to reverse scroll direction.

• Wheeler – lightweight app to flip scroll direction for any mouse.

These are safe and widely used for precise control over scrolling behavior.

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4. Test Your New Scroll Settings

After adjusting, open a browser, document, or file explorer to confirm:

• If natural scrolling, swiping down moves the content down.

• If traditional, swiping down moves the content up.

Adjust again if it feels uncomfortable.

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Tips for Smooth Scrolling Experience

• Keep your touchpad drivers updated via Windows Update or manufacturer software.

• If using a mouse, ensure device drivers are current.

• Customize scroll speed in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse.

• For touchscreens, check Pen & touch settings if gestures feel inconsistent.

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Final Thoughts

Changing scroll direction on Windows 11 is simple for touchpads and achievable for mice with the right settings or tools. By following these steps, you can customize your device to match your natural workflow, whether you prefer Mac-style natural scrolling or the traditional Windows scroll behavior.