Applies to Windows 8, Windows RT

Touch: swipe, tap and beyond

If you want to know what we mean when we mention swipe, tap or other ways of interacting with Windows 8 or Windows RT when you’re using a touch screen, take a look at this table.

What we say How to do it What it does

Tap

Illustration of tapping

Tap once on the item.

Opens whatever you tap. Similar to clicking with a mouse.

Press and hold

Illustration of pressing and holding

Press your finger down and leave it there for a few seconds.

Shows information to help you learn more about an item.

Opens a menu specific to what you're doing. Similar to right-clicking with a mouse.

Pinch or stretch to zoom

Illustration of pinching to zoom

Touch the screen or an item with two or more fingers, and then move the fingers toward each other (pinch) or away from each other (stretch).

Shows different levels of information. A good place to explore this is the Start screen.

Visually zooms in or out, like with pictures or maps.

Rotate

Illustration of two fingers and an arrow indicating the fingers turning an object

Put two or more fingers on an item and then turn your hand.

Rotates things in the direction you turn your hand. Only some items can be rotated.

Slide to scroll

Illustration of scrolling

Drag your finger on the screen.

Moves through what’s on the screen. Similar to scrolling with a mouse.

Slide to rearrange

Illustration of sliding

Press and drag an item in the opposite direction to how you would scroll. (For example, if you would normally scroll left or right, drag the item up or down.) When you've moved the item to the new location, release it.

Moves an item. Similar to dragging with a mouse. A good place to explore this is the Start screen.

Swipe to select

Illustration of swiping

Slide an item a short distance in the opposite direction compared to how the page scrolls. (For example, if you would normally scroll left or right, slide the item up or down.) A short, quick movement works best.

Selects an item, like a photo or tile on Start. This often brings up application commands.

Swipe from edge

Illustration of swiping in from the edge of a screen

Starting on the edge, swipe in.

  • Right edge: Opens the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices, Settings).

  • Left edge:

    • Brings in open applications.

    • Snaps applications. Swipe in from the left edge and drag the application until a divider appears, then move the application to where you want it. Slide the divider to adjust application size.

    • Shows your recently opened applications. Swipe in from the left edge without lifting your finger, then push the application back towards the left edge.

    • Closes applications. Swipe an application from the list without lifting your finger, and then drag it to the bottom of the screen.

  • Top or bottom edge:

    • Shows commands, such as New and Refresh.

    • Closes applications. Swipe down from the top without lifting your finger, then drag the application to the bottom of the screen.
Notes

Notes

  • Your screen must be a touch screen to use these interactions. To check your pen and touch settings:

    Open System by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering System in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking System.

  • Your screen resolution must be at least 1366 x 768 to snap apps. To check this setting:
    Open Screen Resolution by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Display in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Display.

To learn about how to do similar tasks using a mouse and keyboard, see Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows.