How to change mouse scrolling settings on Windows 11
If the mouse wheel scrolling doesn't feel right, Windows 11 lets you set it to your preferences.
On Windows 11, the default mouse scrolling behavior is typically suited for most users. However, if you feel it needs tuning, you can set the number of lines to roll at a time or specify to roll one screen with a single roll.
In addition, you can even control whether you can scroll inactive windows as you hover over them while working on another application.
In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to customize the scrolling settings on your laptop or desktop computer.
How to change mouse scrolling settings on Windows 11
On Windows 11, you can decide how the mouse wheel should scroll and whether you should be able to scroll inactive windows when hovering over.
Change scroll wheel behavior
To change the scroll wheel behavior on Windows 11, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Bluetooth & devices.
- Click the Mouse page on the right side.
- Under the "Scrolling" section, use the "Roll the mouse wheel to scroll" setting and select one of the options.
- Multiple lines at a time.
- One screen at a time.
- (Optional) Use the slider to select the number of lines to scroll at a time.
Once you complete the steps, the next time you roll the mouse wheel, the scrolling should occur based on your configuration.
Configure inactive windows scrolling
To scroll on windows that are not active, use these steps:
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- Open Settings.
- Click on Bluetooth & devices.
- Click the Mouse page on the right side.
- Under the "Scrolling" section, turn on the Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them toggle switch.
After you complete the steps, you will now be able to scroll windows even when they are not focused and you are hovering over them.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.