Microsoft is implementing Apple-like trackpad gestures in Windows 10

Sure, you’ve been able to tap and swipe with Windows before, but some of the more advanced gestures we’ve seen in Mac OS X are now making their way into Microsoft’s extremely popular operating system. It’s definitely borrowing heavily from Apple, but that shouldn’t matter for end users. This is a big jump forward in Windows usability on trackpads, so it’s worth stealing a little bit of “magic” from Apple.

Earlier today, Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore demoed these new gestures onstage at the TechEd Europe conference. As you can see in the video below (courtesy of The Verge), a number of extremely useful gestures have been added. A three-finger swipe downward brings you to your desktop, a three-finger swipe up shows you your multi-desktop “Task View,” and a three-finger horizontal swipe lets you quickly switch between different apps. Apple prefers four-finger swipes for OS X, but the similarities between the two are clear as day.

In his demo, Belfiore points out that hardware manufacturers have implemented similar gestures on Windows laptops before, but this is different. By standardizing these gestures at the OS level, it allows muscle memory to take over completely. Regardless of which trackpad you’re using, your gestures will remain the same from Windows 10 onwards. Without a doubt, this is a smart addition for laptop users.

Magic Trackpad Whenever I’m using a Mac, I make extensive use of the gesture functionality. The four-finger swipes and pinches on the trackpad are superb, and I frequently find myself whipping my cursor into the hot corners to quickly access my desktop with a traditional mouse. As someone who frequently switches between OS X and Windows, I’m thrilled to see that Microsoft is taking user experience cues from Apple. I long for the day that my muscle memory from one OS will transfer seamlessly to the other, and this is just one step closer to that dream.

So, is this enough to persuade desktop users to rush out and buy a Magic Trackpad? Absolutely not. Trackpads still aren’t as elegant and comfortable as a traditional mouse, but this does mean laptop users will benefit from more intuitive navigation. As a bonus, this should make running Boot Camp on a MacBook a whole lot more tolerable. These gestures certainly aren’t original, but it does show that Microsoft is focused on improving its OS from top to bottom.