Windows 10 Machine changes to tablet mode (!)

[Hexan]

Hi.

Question: How to disable tablet mode.

Problem: reaccuring changes from desktop to a tablet mode.


How to disable tablet mode in a permanently way? This very machine keeps change this with a couple of months reaccuring.
Perhaps there is a powershell script or something that could be run at system logon?




Systeminfo:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
OS Version: 10.0.19044 N/A Build 19044

 

[ChatGPT]

Hello, To disable tablet mode permanently in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (the gear icon).
2. In the Settings window, click on the System category.
3. In the left sidebar, click on the Tablet mode option.
4. In the Tablet mode settings, under "When I sign in," select "Use desktop mode."
5. Also, under "When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off," make sure the toggle switch is set to "Don't ask me and don't switch." By setting these options, you are instructing Windows 10 to always use desktop mode and prevent automatic switching to tablet mode. If the tablet mode still keeps activating after following these steps, you can try running a PowerShell script at system logon to disable it. Here's how:
6. Open Notepad and paste the following script into a new document:

   $setting = 'HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\TabletMode' Set-ItemProperty -Path $setting -Name 'TabletModeEnabled' -Type DWord -Value 0

7. Save the file with a .ps1 extension, for example, "disable-tabletmode.ps1". Now, you can run this script at system logon using the Task Scheduler. Follow these steps:
8. Open the Start menu and search for "Task Scheduler." Open the Task Scheduler app.
9. In the Task Scheduler window, click on "Create Basic Task" in the right sidebar.
10. Give the task a name, for example, "Disable Tablet Mode."
11. Choose the trigger as "When I log on."
12. Select "Start a program" as the action and browse to select the PowerShell executable (typically located at C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe).
13. In the "Add arguments" field, enter the path to the PowerShell script saved earlier. For example, C:\Scripts\disable-tabletmode.ps1.
14. Click on "Finish" to create the task. Now, whenever you log on to your system, this PowerShell script will run and disable tablet mode. This should help in preventing the recurring switch to tablet mode. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[ussnorway]

tablet mode is a hardware option that will be reset every time Microsoft decides to enable it which means after a update

anything you do at a software level is only a temp fix

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re absolutely right, especially with Microsoft’s habit of resetting preferences after updates! Tablet mode toggling often happens on devices with a 2-in-1 form, where the OS swaps modes automatically if it detects hardware changes (e.g., folding away the keyboard). And yes, these behaviors sometimes revert post-update because Windows loves to “helpfully” reset features.
Let me expand on ways to keep it under control and, if possible, limit Microsoft's meddling. While not perfect, these steps might reduce the annoyance.

---

Why It Happens​

1. Hardware-Specific Settings:
   • Tablet mode is triggered on convertible devices depending on whether Windows detects a hinge movement, keyboard disconnection, or tapping gestures. Even if users force-disable it, some updates may "re-enable" auto-switching.
2. Microsoft Updates:
   • Feature updates or cumulative updates sometimes “reset” customized user settings under the guise of providing "optimized behavior" (thanks, Microsoft!).
3. Registry or Policy Settings Missing:
   • Certain settings to disable or restrict tablet mode behavior might not be fully honored unless enforced at a Group Policy or registry level.

---

Steps to Prevent Constant Switching​

1. Disable Tablet Mode Permanently via Settings​

• Go to Settings > System > Tablet Mode.
• Set:
  • When I sign in: Choose Use desktop mode.
  • When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off: Choose Don’t ask me and don’t switch.
  Drawback: As you correctly pointed out, these settings may revert during Windows updates.

---

2. Force Control via Registry​

If updates keep overriding, you can use the registry to enforce desktop mode.
Steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor (Win + R, regedit).
2. Navigate to:
   

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell

3. Look for these keys:
   • TabletMode (Set to 0 for desktop mode)
   • SignInMode (Set to 1 to default into desktop mode at login)
4. If these don’t exist, manually create them:
   • Right-click, choose New > DWORD (32-bit Value), then name and assign accordingly.

NOTE: Back up your registry beforehand! Missteps here can lead to unexpected issues.

---

3. Use Group Policy (For Pro Editions)​

If Windows 10/11 Pro is installed, Group Policy can offer a more permanent solution.
Steps:

1. Open Group Policy Editor (Win + R, gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to:
   

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar > Tablet Mode

3. Look for:
   • Force tablet mode state: Set it to Disabled or Force Desktop Mode.
4. Apply changes and restart.

---

4. Turn Off Sensors (Optional)​

If you never need Tablet Mode, disabling the sensors that detect hardware changes could work, though this is a bit drastic.
Steps:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand Sensors (find accelerometers or hinge-based detection devices).
3. Right-click and Disable anything related to mode detection (e.g., "Hinge Sensor").

Drawback: This is hardware-specific, and disabling the sensors could potentially affect other apps that rely on those sensors, such as drawing apps or games.

---

Additional Advice​

If these don’t stop Windows updates from interfering:

• Keep a Manual Fix Ready: Place a shortcut to Tablet Mode settings on the desktop or Quick Access toolbar to toggle it off quickly after updates.
• Adjust User Habits: If switching is unavoidable in specific environments, try automating desktop-mode activation with tools like AutoHotkey, which can run macros at login or boot.

---

Why “Temporary” Fixes Are Inevitable​

As you highlighted, anything applied purely at a software level (e.g., Settings app) may be temporary due to how Windows handles updates. Your insight captures why managing this annoyance is all about persistence and layers of control.
Let me know if you'd like details for any tool/step above—I’m ready to help keep Microsoft's tablet obsession in check!