Touch screen in W7?

[djclinton09]

Although I’m not using Windows 7 OS yet, what it has to offer & all that I’ve seen, it's pretty impressive. I'm in the process of deciding whether to go with the upgrade W7 or purchase a new Laptop/Notebook? One concern or complain I must state. I understand that Windows 7 comes with touch screen capabilities, but ONLY works with a human touch? Being physically disabled & cannot use my hands at all I type by using a head-pointer with an eraser for a tip. Yes, I’m not going to be dishonest here, I’m using an aftermarket touch screen with Vista, but I’m leery on how (or if) I can still use it with W7? I don’t know how, but I would just love to get in contact with a MS Developer to express my views. Am I correct in assuming that the touch screen option requires a human finger touch?​

 

[David McCracken]

W7 isn't limited to touchscreens that only respond to finger operation but to touchscreens whose controllers identify them as HID touch devices, a relatively new category. W7, like its predecessors, recognizes HID mouse devices, which most touchscreens have been until recently. Treating a touchscreen as a mouse has never delivered the best user experience, as it precludes right-click-on-hold, calibration, edge acceleration, and many other valuable facilities. Consequently, vendor-specific drivers, which do provide these facilities, have been used. W7 accepts most of these drivers. In the WDM driver stack, these are lower-level drivers. To the OS, the device still appears to be mouse. Therefore, none of the new touchscreen-specific features of W7 will be available.

The reason that you might have heard that only finger operation is supported is that W7 recognizes as touch devices only those that identify themselves as HID-touch. Of these, only the ones that generate touch-specific events allow you to use gestures and multi-touch. The two technologies most likely to support these are capacitive, which requires finger activation, and wire-matrix digitizer, which requires an electronic pen. W7 can still use other touchscreens, including old ones, but the new capabilities will not be available.

 

[djclinton09]

Sir,

Here's my question, Right now I have an aftermarket touch screen over my laptop screen , which I already stated I use a head pointer with an eraser as a tip to type with & operate my touchscreen (no mouse useage). What I'm trying to deternmine is with W7, will i be able to do away with my aftermarket Touchscreen & work right off of W7 Touchscreen?

Thanks​

 

[David McCracken]

No. W7 cannot turn an ordinary display into a touchscreen. Most touchscreens used on computers consist of a glass and/or plastic plate placed on top of the display screen. Without this hardware, there is no means of detecting touch.

 

[copernicus]

What brand is the touchscreen you're using? I have a Hoda touchscreen on my netbook and the default windows drivers work for it.

 

[djclinton09]

Keytec Add-On Touch screen

 

[copernicus]

They have drivers up to vista, I think it'll work with little issues withou drivers. If it doesn't the vista or xp drivers should get you set up.