With Windows 10, a new tablet mode feature was introduced, which provides a new way to interact with your touch-enabled device. In tablet mode, your start menu becomes your desktop, and all your applications open maximized. This mode usually automatically toggles on or off when you detach your keyboard from the tablet.
However, some users have reported an error where they get Windows 10 stuck in tablet mode. This can be annoying for desktop users who have access to a dedicated keyboard and mouse and have to use the limiting tablet mode. Here I shall discuss how to get out of tablet mode in Windows 10.
Why Is My Computer Stuck In Tablet Mode?
Across forums, there were reports of various reasons why users could not exit tablet mode on their devices. Based on their reports, here is a list of the potential reasons why you may be facing this error on your device. With reference to the recent activities on your device, you can check why you got this error, and how you can disable tablet mode in Windows 10.
- Action center malfunctioning is reportedly one of the most common causes why users face this error on their device. This results in the toggle not responding correctly to the input, and your computer stuck in tablet mode. Read here what you should do if you see Action center not working properly on your device.
- There are reportedly many Surface pro glitch-loops, which prevents users from switching back to desktop mode when they connect their Surface back to the keyboard folio.
- A Start menu setting that allows the start menu to start in full screen is reported to be malfunctioning, emulating the tablet mode in Windows 10. This can prevent users from resizing the start menu, and they cannot exit tablet mode.
- A registry key can also force the operating system to malfunction, leading to Windows 10 stuck in tablet mode. Making appropriate changes to the registry editor can help you get out of tablet mode on your system.
- You can also be stuck in tablet mode if there are any corrupt system files on your device. This was also a very common reason why users got this error and can be solved by doing a repair install.
How To Solve If I Get Windows 10 Stuck In Tablet Mode?
Now that you have some idea about why you may be getting this error, here are some potential solutions to turn off tablet mode in Windows 10, depending on the reason why you may be getting this error. Follow these solutions to find the appropriate fix for how to turn off tablet mode.
Start by attempting a full shutdown. To do so, open an elevated command prompt from the Run dialog (type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter). Here, type the following command:
shutdown /s /f /t 0
Solution 1: Disable Tablet Mode From Settings
More often than not, there might be something wrong with the notification panel, which makes the Windows 10 device stuck in tablet mode. This can happen abruptly, or right after you install a new Windows update.
You can turn off tablet mode from the Settings app as well, which may be helpful if you cannot turn it off from the action center notification panel. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the Windows Settings You can use the keyboard shortcut Win + I.
- Click on the System option.
- From the left pane menu under System, click on Tablet mode.
- In the left pane, change the setting to Use Desktop mode under the When I sign in drop-down menu.
- Restart your device.
Upon restart, your device should start in Desktop mode, helping you figure out how to get out tablet mode. However, if you still see your PC boot inside the tablet mode, follow some other solutions provided here.
Solution 2: Disable Using Start Full Screen
As mentioned earlier, there is a setting in Windows 10 which can emulate the Windows 8 style full screen start menu. However, this can lead to your device being stuck in tablet mode and can be turned off very easily. Follow these steps to turn off start full screen in Windows 10:
- Right-click on any empty space on your desktop to reveal the context menu.
- Select Personalize from the menu.
- Inside the settings app page that opens, click on Start from the left pane menu.
- In the list of available options, turn off the toggle associated with Use Start full screen.
- Reboot your device.
This should bring back the traditional small start menu and solve your tablet mode error.
Solution 3: Solve Surface Pro Glitches
Surface Pro devices can enter a glitch loop that makes Windows 10 stuck in tablet mode on their devices. For these cases, you can resolve this error by doing a two-button restart on your device. Here is a quick guide on what you need to do:
- First, for nearly half a minute, you will need to push down on and keep holding the power button on your Surface device.
- Release the power button when the residual power has been removed.
- Once done, push the combination of the volume up + power button for nearly the same time.
- You might see the display flashing abruptly, but don’t let the buttons go before the time. This shall shutdown your Surface device.
- After some time, turn on your Surface device.
Now, your Surface Pro should boot into desktop mode by default, therefore solving your tablet mode error.
Also read: Easy fixes if your Surface pro touch screen is not working.
Solution 4: Edit The Registry
There is a registry key in Windows 10, that can force your Windows device to boot into tablet mode permanently. A recent change in the settings or a new update may have enabled this key, therefore leading to Windows 10 stuck in tablet mode.
To exit tablet mode via registry editor, follow these steps:
- Open a Run dialog by pressing Win + R.
- Type regedit and press Enter to launch the Registry editor. Click on Yes in the User Account Control prompt.
- Navigate to the following location by pasting the location in the address bar of the Registry Editor
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell
- In the right pane for the key, locate the key called TabletMode. Double click on it to modify its properties.
- Change the value data of this entry to 0 for the Hexadecimal base, to disable tablet mode in Windows 10.
- Click on OK and restart your device.
Now your computer should boot into desktop mode by default, and your error should now be resolved.
Solution 5: SFC Scan Or System Restore
If none of the solutions above helped you, there might be something wrong with your system files. As reported by many users, corrupt or missing system files can lead to your computer stuck in tablet mode.
First, try performing an SFC scan to scan for any missing system components. The System File Checker (SFC) is a command-line utility tool in Windows that can check for and repair broken system files from your system. To check for corrupt or missing system files, you can follow the steps provided in our article that helps solve broken system files.
Only run the SFC scan. Once the scan completes, restart your device.
If this does not find any errors or repair your device, you need to perform a system restore to take your device back to a state where it was performing normally.
- In a Run dialog box, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter to launch the System Properties dialog box.
- Under the System Protection tab, click on System Restore.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it. Now you know how to turn off tablet mode in Windows 10. Do comment below if you found this useful, and tell us how you solved the Windows 10 stuck in tablet mode error on your device.