Windows 10: 1903 update -- no longer an option to auto-disable trackpad while mouse plugged in

So, today, my machine (Alienware 17R5) was scheduled for the 1903 "update". Lots of issues with that one, not the least of which all wifi passwords were mysteriously discarded by the "update". Fortunately, I remembered what they were...

But the absolute worst thing of all? I can no longer auto-disable my touchpad, if I plug in a usb mouse! Apparently, in microsoft's infinite wisdom that feature was removed? (several BLOG entries seem to imply this is the case)

Worse: I tried rolling back the touchpad driver-- nope-- the "update" has wiped out the driver history as well!

Wait! It gets even worse! I tried forcing the original Alienware driver, which had such functionality. Nope! The "update" maliciously and with ill intent, deleted my original driver, deleted the driver history, and forcibly re-installed the "newest" driver via "update" which, as I noted already, has a reduced functionality set! WHAT THE HECK, MICROSOFT? Going backwards, now?

I have fallen back on disabling the hardware under Device Manager-- which I absolutely hate, as sometimes? The mouse isn't readily available, and I really wanted to fall back on the touchpad-- which I cannot do, because Microsoft maliciously deleted a very useful setting, for no conceivable reason I can imagine!

If anyone knows how to re-enable that very useful setting:

"Disable touchpad when external mouse is connected"

I would be quite interested in knowing how, without rolling back to 1803, or disabling Windows Update.

:)

 

Unable to disable laptop trackpad after Windows 10 update (Feb 2019)

After Windows 10 updated itself (Feb 11th 2019), my laptop trackpad was no longer disabled. I usually disable it because I have an external mouse plugged in via USB.

Previous solutions for disabling the trackpad no longer seem to be available. I've tried all of the following:

- In Control Panel/Hardware and Sound/Mouse I opened the properties for the mouse. I no longer see an option to disable the trackpad when a mouse is plugged in.

- In Settings\Devices I checked both the mouse section and trackpad section, again no setting to disable the trackpad.

Obviously something has changed with this update. How am I supposed to disable the trackpad?

Thanks for any info,

Shawn

 

Trackpad stays disabled even when there isn't a mouse plugged in

I have the setting enabled which disables my trackpad when I have a mouse plugged in. When I unplug my mouse, however, the trackpad is still unusable/disabled. Is there a way to fix this?

 

Disabling trackpad when external mouse is active

I have an ASUS laptop running Win10. The touchpad gestures sometimes accidentally activate and make a hash of my typing. I wish to use an external mouse and disable trackpad automatically when that mouse is active. Your advice says:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Ease of Access.
3. Click Touchpad.
4. Under Touchpad, toggle the switch on or off.
5. You can also uncheck the box beside Leave touchpad on the when a mouse is connectedoption to disable it when you use a traditional mouse.

Once done with the steps above, check if the issue will persist.



As you no doubt know, these instructions are WRONG. There is no toggle switch under touchpad, and no option to toggle touchpad off when using external mouse.

I allow WIN10 to update. It is updated.

So what is the secret? And why is it a secret?