Windows 11 includes a useful mouse accessibility feature that lets you activate an open window simply by moving your mouse pointer over it. Instead of clicking another window to bring it into focus, you can hover over it and let Windows switch to it automatically.

Called Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse, this feature can make multitasking more convenient, particularly when you frequently work with multiple open windows. You can enable it through the classic Control Panel or, on supported Windows 11 builds, directly through the Settings app.

Here’s how to enable it using either method.

What does activating a window by hovering do?

Normally, when you have multiple application windows open, you need to click a window to make it active. The active window is the one that receives keyboard input and responds to normal window commands.

When you enable hover activation, Windows changes this behavior. Moving your mouse pointer over another open window automatically makes that window active without requiring a click.

For example, if you have File Explorer and a web browser open side by side, you can move your pointer over File Explorer to activate it and then move it back to the browser to switch focus again.

This can be particularly useful when working with several windows simultaneously or when you want to reduce the number of mouse clicks required to switch between applications.

How to activate a window by hovering over it in Windows 11

You can enable this feature through the Control Panel’s Ease of Access Center. This method works even if your Windows 11 installation doesn’t show the dedicated hover activation option in Settings.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Open the Windows Start menu, search for Control Panel, and select the Control Panel app from the search results.

Alternatively, press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.

Step 2: Open Ease of Access

In Control Panel, make sure the View by option is set to Category. Find and select Ease of Access.

Step 3: Select Change how your mouse works

On the Ease of Access page, select Change how your mouse works under Ease of Access Center.

This opens the Make the mouse easier to use page, where Windows provides several options for customizing mouse behavior.

Step 4: Enable hover activation

Scroll down to the Make it easier to manage windows section.

Find the checkbox labeled Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse and select it.

Step 5: Save your changes

Select Apply if available, followed by OK, to save the setting.

You can now close Control Panel. Windows will activate an open window when you move your mouse pointer over it.

How to enable window activation on hover through Settings

Windows 11 version 24H2, starting with build 26100.4202, also introduced a dedicated Activate on hover option in the Settings app. This provides a more direct way to manage the feature without navigating through the classic Control Panel.

If your Windows 11 installation supports this option, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility from the left sidebar.
3. Under the Interaction section, select Mouse.
4. Find the Activate on hover option.
5. Turn on the toggle to enable window activation when hovering over an open window.

You can also expand the Activate on hover section to access additional options, including adjusting how long the mouse pointer needs to remain over a window before Windows activates it.

If you don’t see this option, check your Windows version and build number. The Control Panel method described earlier remains an alternative.

How to disable window activation on hover

If you prefer the traditional click-to-activate behavior, you can turn off the feature whenever you want.

Through Control Panel:

1. Open Control Panel and select Ease of Access.
2. Select Change how your mouse works.
3. Under Make it easier to manage windows, clear the Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse checkbox.
4. Select Apply, followed by OK.

Through Settings:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Accessibility > Mouse.
2. Expand Activate on hover, if necessary.
3. Turn off the Activate on hover toggle.

Windows will return to its normal window activation behavior, requiring you to click another window to bring it into focus.

Make switching between Windows easier

Hover activation is a small but useful Windows feature that can change how you interact with multiple open applications. You don’t need additional software or a special mouse to use it; simply enable the option through Control Panel or the Settings app, depending on your Windows 11 build.

If you frequently switch between open windows, give it a try. You might find moving your mouse to activate a window more convenient than clicking every time.