How To Turn Off Windows Ink

Windows Ink is a new pen experience that Microsoft is introducing with the Windows ten Anniversary Update. At the core of Windows Ink, in that location is the aforementioned pen support that the operating organisation has included for years, just there are a number of new improvements.

It all starts with the Windows Ink Workspace that acts as the central hub to access the new Pasty Notes to create notes and reminders using Cortana, and you tin besides depict on a whiteboard or on a screenshot using Sketchpad or Screen sketch. In addition, Microsoft has promised to keep improving the experience to brand information technology easier for developers to implement Windows Ink support on their apps.

If you ain a Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, or similar device that includes support for an active pen, the Windows Ink feel will exist enabled past default. However, every bit with any feature, the new improvements may non be for everyone, and this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk yous through the steps to disable Windows Ink Workspace completely from your device.

How to disable Windows Ink Workspace using Group Policy

At that place are multiple ways to disable Windows Ink Workspace, but the quickest fashion to completely turn off the experience is past using the Local Group Policy Editor -- that'south of form if yous're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

Use the Windows primal + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Select Calculator Configuration.
Aggrandize the following path: Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Ink Workspace.

Note: It'due south worth pointing out that if yous see 2 "Windows Ink Workspace" entries, you must choose to configure the second ane. Otherwise, the instructions will not work.
On the right side, double-click the Allow Windows Ink Workspace setting.
Check the Enabled selection.
Under Options, select Disabled from the drop-downwardly bill of fare.
Click Apply.
Click OK.
Restart your reckoner to see the new changes.

Once you lot restart your device, the Windows Ink Workspace icon will no longer be available in the taskbar. And you'll notice that the "Bear witness Windows Ink Workspace button" option on the taskbar context menu will go unavailable.

To revert the changes follow the steps mentioned higher up, merely this fourth dimension on stride 8 select the Not Configured option instead.

How to disable Windows Ink Workspace using the registry

The Local Group Policy Editor is non a feature available on Windows x Home, merely you tin accomplish the aforementioned results using the registry (if you're upwards to the challenge).

Important: Earlier you brand whatever changes to the registry, make sure to sympathize that these changes may crusade irreversible damage to your installation if they're not done properly. It's recommended that you do a full fill-in of your computer before proceeding. Y'all've been warned!

Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run control.
Type regedit, and click OK to open up the Windows registry.
Browse the post-obit path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsInkWorkspace
If you don't run across the WindowsInkWorkspace key (folder), then do the following:
1. Right-click the Microsoft fundamental, select New, and click Cardinal.
2. Proper noun the new cardinal WindowsInkWorkspace.
3. Click OK.
Right-click on the right side, select New, and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the primal AllowWindowsInkWorkspace.
Click OK.
Double-click the key and make certain its value is prepare to 0, which means disabled.
Restart your computer to apply the changes.

One time you restart your device, identically as the process done with the Local Grouping Policy Editor, the Windows Ink Workspace icon volition no longer be available in the taskbar. And you'll detect that the "Show Windows Ink Workspace button" option on the taskbar context menu will become unavailable.

To enable Windows Ink Workspace over again, simply follow the steps mentioned above and on stride 9 make sure to change the value from 0 to 1, and restart your estimator.

Wrapping things upward

Information technology'due south important to note that after you've disabled Windows Ink Workspace, yous won't exist able to launch Sketchpad or Screen sketch, but you'll notwithstanding be able to use Sticky Notes, every bit information technology's a regular Windows Store app.

In addition, disabling the experience doesn't remove the Pen & Windows Ink settings folio from the Settings app. If you had the pen shortcuts configured to open Windows Ink Workspace, the pen push button functions will autumn back to open up the OneNote app for all the options.

Practice you use Windows Ink Workspace on the regular basis? Would you consider disabling the feature? Tell u.s.a. in the comments below.

More Windows x resource

For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:

Windows x on Windows Central – All you need to know
Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 forums on Windows Central