Recommended settings for better tablet experiences

Windows 11 provides optimized experiences when tablets and 2-in-1 devices are in tablet posture. For example, the taskbar will provide larger space among the icons for better touch experiences.

To enable these optimizations by default, the devices must indicate to the Windows operating system whether they are tablet or 2-in-1 devices. Microsoft recommends using the following settings to correctly set the device type.

  1. Enclosure Type in SMBIOS

    Set the Enclosure Type of the device as Tablet (1Eh), Convertible (1Fh), or Detachable (20h) based on the definition.

  2. DeviceForm

    Set DeviceForm value of the device as Tablet (2), Convertible (5), or Detachable (6) based on the definition.

  3. ConvertibleSlateMode

    Set ConvertibleSlateMode value as 0 if the device is Tablet, Convertible or Detachable. Set it as 1 for other form factors like Desktop, Laptop, or Notebook.

If one of the Enclosure Type and DeviceForm is set as above, and CSM is 0, Windows will provide tablet experiences by default until a keyboard is attached.

Without this information, Windows won't know whether to show as tablet until a keyboard is attached or detached for a 2-in-1 device.

For a tablet device or an attachable device without a keyboard, Windows will stay in desktop mode and not provide tablet experiences to the customer.

Enclosure Type is preferable to DeviceForm because it is in SMBIOS and won't be wiped out when the device is clean installed.

As of Windows 11, version 22H2, convertibility can be explicitly opted in or out using the HKLM/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/PriorityControl/ConvertibilityEnabled registry DWORD value. If this value is present, then a value of 0 indicates that the device is not convertible, and a non-zero value indicates that the device is convertible. This value, if present, takes precedence over the Enclosure Type and DeviceForm checks as described above.