How to Enable or Disable Inactive Scrolling in Windows

Windows includes a handy feature called inactive scrolling, which allows a mouse wheel to scroll a window even when that window is not currently active. For example, when multiple windows are open, moving the pointer over a background window and scrolling the mouse wheel can move through its content without first clicking the window.

However, some users may prefer to disable it to prevent accidental scrolling. Others may find it useful when working with multiple windows and want to make sure it is turned on. This article explains how to enable or disable inactive scrolling in Windows 11.

Method 1: Enable or Disable Inactive Scrolling Using Settings

The Settings app offers the quickest and most user-friendly way to manage inactive window scrolling.

Step 1. Open Settings

Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2. Open Mouse Settings

Click Bluetooth & devices in the left navigation pane, then select Mouse.

Step 3. Change Inactive Scrolling

Find the Scroll inactive windows when hovering over them option under the Scrolling section.

• Turn the switch On to enable inactive scrolling.
• Turn the switch Off to disable inactive scrolling.

Method 2: Enable or Disable Inactive Scrolling Using Registry Editor

Advanced users can also control inactive scrolling through the Windows Registry.

Step 1. Open Registry Editor

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Navigate to the Following Path

Navigate to the following path: 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Step 3. Find or Create the MouseWheelRouting Value

Look for the MouseWheelRouting value in the right pane.

If it does not exist, right-click an empty area in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MouseWheelRouting.

Step 4. Set the Value

Double-click MouseWheelRouting and set its value according to the desired behavior.

• Set the value to 2 to enable inactive scrolling.
• Set the value to 0 to disable inactive scrolling.

Click OK to save the change.

Conclusion

Knowing how to control inactive window scrolling gives you greater flexibility when managing multiple open applications. Whether you prefer the convenience of scrolling background windows or want to prevent accidental interactions, Windows makes it easy to customize this behavior to suit your workflow.