How Do I Change Mouse Scroll Direction in Windows 11?
How Do I Change Mouse Scroll Direction in Windows 11?
3 Answers

How to Change Mouse Scroll Direction in Windows 11 Easily?
If you’re tired of your mouse scrolling in the wrong direction on Windows 11, here’s the lowdown on how to fix it:
- Hit the Settings: Give the Start button a whirl, tap on Settings (that trusty gear icon), or just slam Windows + I on your keyboard to pop the Settings right open.
- Head to Bluetooth & Devices: Over in the Settings menu, click on Bluetooth & Devices from the sidebar. That’s where the magic happens.
- Pick Your Weapon: Nice, now choose either Touchpad or Mouse from the list. If you’re working with a physical mouse, go for Mouse.
- Flip the Scroll:
- If it’s your Touchpad you’re dealing with, scroll down to the Scroll & Zoom part. Flick the Scroll direction setting to choose between Down motion scrolls down or Up. Simple as that.
- On the other hand, if it’s the Mouse, you might not see a direct option there. No worries! You could check out any software your mouse came with, or even try a third-party tool.
Got More Tricks:
- Driver Power: Check if your mouse’s manufacturer has some software that tweaks scrolling behavior. Sometimes they sneak these options into their drivers.
- Third-Party Magic: Tools like AutoHotkey can be a lifesaver; they let you script and switch up the mouse scroll function as you please.
Honestly, keeping your mouse or touchpad settings just how you like them shouldn’t be a hassle. Make sure your drivers are up to date, and you’re golden. Enjoy the smoother ride!

Alright, let\’s talk about flipping the scroll direction in Windows 11. It\’s a pretty handy tweak, especially if you\’re used to a certain rhythm on a Mac or touchscreen device.
First up, hit that Windows key + I to dive into Settings. Once you\’re there, head over to Bluetooth & devices and then click on Mouse. You\’ll see a section called Scrolling with a “Scrolling direction” dropdown.
- You\’re looking at two options:
- “Down motion scrolls down” does exactly what it sounds like. It’s the classic setup.
- “Down motion scrolls up” is what you’d call the ‘natural’ scroll style, more like what your fingers do on a trackpad.
Hit the choice that feels right, and you\’re set! Most of the time, this change should kick in right away. If the system is being stubborn, a quick reboot often does the trick.
Now, if you’re on an older Windows 11 version that doesn’t show this option, no worries. Here are some tricks you can try instead:
- Manufacturer Software or External Apps: Have a modern mouse? You might already have access to customization software like Logitech Options or Razer Synapse. Download the right one for your mouse and tweak the scrolling there. Apps like X-Mouse Button Control or WizMouse also play nice in this department.
- Registry Tweak (For the Brave Ones): A little heads-up: Messing with the registry can be risky if you’re not careful. So, back it up first. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter. Track down HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Control Panel\\Mouse. Look for the “ReverseMouseWheelDirection” key.
- Set 0 for standard scrolling.
- Set 1 for that natural touch.
You can also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\ for specific device settings if needed. Remember to restart your computer to lock in those changes.
So, that\’s the rundown. Windows 11, especially the newer versions, makes it pretty seamless to switch up your scrolling game. For the older releases or if you’re keen on fine-tuning, those apps and registry tweaks got you covered. Here’s to smooth scrolling however you like it!

Switching up the scroll direction in Windows 11 can be a bit of a game-changer, especially if you\’re not vibing with the default setup. Let\’s cut to the chase and see how you can pull it off.
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You might wonder why this is even a thing. It all started back when Apple decided to flip the script in 2009 with \”natural scrolling.\” They wanted it to feel more like a touch screen. Windows 11 likes to keep everyone happy, so they let you tweak things to your liking, but sometimes that\’s easier said than done. Here are a few hiccups you could face:
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- After updates: Yeah, updates love messing with your settings sometimes.
- Driver drama: Outdated or wonky drivers can throw a wrench in the works.
- Third-party apps playing games: Extra software might decide your mouse settings need a makeover.
- Registry tampering: If you\’ve been poking around in there, things might get a bit screwy.
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If you\’re rolling with Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, here\’s the scoop for most mice, especially ones with a Precision Touchpad:
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- Hit Win + I to open settings.
- Head over to Bluetooth & devices, then Mouse.
- Look for the Scrolling direction section. You get to decide if you want it scrolling like a touchpad or keeping it old-school.
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For older setups or touchpads, it\’s a bit different:
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- Pop into Bluetooth & devices, then Touchpad.
- Find Scaling & scroll, and you can switch up the Scrolling direction there.
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Now, if you’re running an older version or have a mouse without native support, it’s time to bring in the Registry Editor. Here’s how you do it:
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- Snag the device ID:\n
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- Open Device Manager using Win + X.
- Find your rodent under Mice, right-click, and hit Properties. Jot down the Device instance path (it\’ll look like VID_XXXX&PID_XXXX).
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- Tweak the registry:\n
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- Hop into regedit.
- Navigate to this address:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Enum\\HID\\
. - Find the subkey with your VID/PID. Under Device Parameters, there’s a little gem called
FlipFlopWheel
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- Setting it to
0
gives you natural scrolling. - Setting it to
1
keeps it traditional.
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- Setting it to
- A quick reboot seals the deal.
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If your scroll direction changes out of the blue, your driver might need some tough love:
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- Go back to Device Manager, find the troublemaker in the Mice category.
- Give it a right-click, select Uninstall device, and don’t forget to check the box to remove the driver software.
- Unplug the mouse if it’s wired, then plug it back in so Windows can do its auto-driver magic.
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Some Handy Tidbits:
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- Check your mouse software: Programs like Logitech Options or Razer Synapse might have their fingers in the pie. Pause those features for a bit and see if it helps.
- Single out the troublemaker: Unplug any extra mice and see if the problem persists.
- Keep up with Windows changes: Menu layouts evolve, so if things look different, give Windows Search a whirl.
- Backup the registry: Always a smart move before diving in there.
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Messing with scroll direction might feel like small potatoes, but for folks flipping between macOS and Windows or working with design software, it\’s crucial. Microsoft\’s mixed-bag approach lets everyone get comfy, but knowing how to adjust it yourself only makes things smoother.