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HP PCs - Using a pen with the Windows pen menu

Use a pen compatible with the pen menu in Windows to write, draw, or navigate the operating system and programs.

The Windows pen menu allows you to collaborate with Whiteboard and take screenshots. In Windows 11, you can also select app shortcuts to add to your pen menu.

Note:

You can also use the Windows pen menu with a mouse, or a keyboard. The methods supported by apps within the Windows pen menu vary.

Open the Windows pen menu

Open the Windows pen menu using one of the following methods, depending on your operating system.

To open the Windows pen menu, do one of the following:
- In Windows 11, tap the screen with your pen or select the pen menu icon from the taskbar.
  
  Note:
  If the icon is not displayed on the taskbar, right-click an empty area of the taskbar, and then select Taskbar settings. Turn on Pen menu.
- In Windows 10, click the Windows Ink Workspace icon on the taskbar.
  
  Note:
  If the icon is not displayed on the taskbar, right-click an empty area on the taskbar to access the Toolbars menu, and then select Show Windows Ink Workspace button. Then, click the icon.

Use Whiteboard

You can use Whiteboard for real-time collaboration. You can draw, type, and insert images on the Whiteboard. Your Whiteboard is saved automatically to your Microsoft account in the cloud.

To open Whiteboard, click the pen menu icon, and then click Whiteboard. In Windows 10, you can also press the top button on the pen once to open Whiteboard. Sign-in to your Microsoft account.

Use the snipping tool

Use the snipping tool to take screenshots.

With the document, webpage, or image you want to sketch on open on the desktop, do one of the following:

In Windows 11, click the pen menu icon, and then select the snipping tool.
In Windows 10, click the Windows Ink Workspace icon, and then click Fullscreen snip. Alternately, double-press the top button on your pen.

A screen capture of your desktop is displayed.

Use the controls in the upper-right corner to draw, crop, and mark up the image as you would with pen and paper.

Save: Click the Save icon to save your work.
Share: Click the Share icon to share your work with others.

Add or remove pen menu shortcuts (Windows 11 only)

In your pen menu, you can add up to four app shortcuts.

Tap the screen with your pen or select the pen menu icon in the corner of the taskbar.
When the pen menu is displayed, select Settings, and then select Edit pen menu.
To add an app shortcut to your pen menu, select Add. To remove an app shortcut from your pen menu, select Remove.

Change your pen settings

In the Pen & Windows Settings window, you can adjust your pen shortcuts and change Windows Ink Workspace settings. You can also choose to ignore touch input when using the pen to avoid accidental marks or selections.

Changing Pen Settings in Windows 10

Learn to adjust pen settings, pen shortcuts, and change settings in Windows Ink Workspace.

In Windows, search for and open Pen settings.
In the Pen area, configure the following pen settings:
- Choose which hand you write with
- Show visual effects
- Show the cursor
- Use pen as mouse when available
- Ignore touch input when using pen
In the Handwriting area, configure the following handwriting settings:
- Handwriting font size
- Handwriting font type
- Handwriting mode
- Enable touch writing without a pen
- Improve handwriting recognition
In the Windows Ink Workspace area, configure the following options:
- Show recommended app suggestions
- Select pen behavior when you click once
- Select pen behavior when you double-click
- Select pen behavior when you press and hold (supported on select pens only)
- Whether to allow apps to override the shortcut button behavior

Use Find my device to find your pen

The Windows 10 Find my device feature logs the location of your devices. If you lose your pen, you can use Find my device to locate it.

In Windows, search for and open Find my device.
In the Where's my pen? area, click Go here to track it.

Windows displays the last saved location of your pen.

Note:
When you click Go here to track it, Windows 10 automatically begins a new search for your pen. If the correct location is not immediately displayed, check the location again later.

Use Sketchpad (Windows 10 only)

Sketchpad is a feature in Windows Ink Workspace where you can jot notes, doodle, and create. It also comes with a ruler so you can draw straight lines.

Note:

Sketchpad is available only in older releases of Windows 10.

To use Sketchpad, click Sketchpad in Windows Ink Workspace. Use any of the following features with Sketchpad.

Pen, Pencil, Highlighter: Click the Pen icon , Pencil icon , or Highlighter icon , and then click the down arrow to choose your color and line size.
Eraser: Click the Eraser icon , and then click the down arrow to choose an eraser option.
Ruler or Protractor: Click the Ruler icon , and then click the down arrow to choose the ruler type. To turn off the Ruler tool, click the ruler type again.
Save: Click the Save icon to save your work.
Share: Click the Share icon to share your work with others.