Enable Multitouch(two-fingers) on Synaptics trackpad for Windows xp/Vista/7

This could be your Trackpad

Very few people know that every synaptics trackpad supports multitouch and as long as your OS supports it you can always use multitouch to enhance your computers interface. Apple has patented several UI design elements ,hence has inhibited Windows and Linux to come out with similar UI elements like pinch and zoom, scroll etc.

 
If you are using Linux and want to setup multitouch then click here 

You only need a patched driver to enable multitouch features in synaptics. Download the latest driver from here

Download links (for XP/Vista 32/64-bit):
http://www.sendspace.com/file/9n9c6i
http://mihd.net/42vtopk

This driver is made from an outdated driver of synaptics. So you may have to uninstall your existing driver. 

1. Go to Add-Remove Software. 
2. Find and uninstall synaptic driver
3. Reboot

Extract the zip file(touchpad_synaptics_v10.2.4_vistax32x64_xpx32x64_modded_build2.zip) to a folder

Install selected driver.

This driver is not signed. Hence windows will issue a warning. Do not install this driver on your production machine. This is a development build and using it may crash your system

Now you can  enable these 3 features on your Windows Desktop using Synaptic Options. Go to bottom right in your Windows taskbar to select synaptics tray icon or search synaptic in control panel. Then select Synaptic touchpad in Device Settings. 

1. Multitouch scrolling : You will be able to scroll using 2/3 fingers. The scrolling is not as smooth as mac (shucks!!) but works equivalent to page up and page down. Here is how to enable it in Synaptics Options. You can configure what each direction will cause.
   Two finger Gestures -> Top/Bottom/Left/Right
2. Chiral Motion : This technique is very useful for precise scrolling. Whenever you wish to scroll just slide two fingers downwards(or upwards) and then you can move your fingers in clockwise or anticlockwise order to continue scrolling.This is a much more precise way of scrolling but you need to get used to it. Here is how to enable it in Synaptics Options
   Virtual Scrolling -> Enable Chiral motion scrolling
3. Momentum : This grants your mouse momentum so if you drag your mouse and leave it. It will travel some more distance depending on the speed of your drag. This is quite cool for some time, but very difficult to handle and impractical. Still somthing cooool to show off :). . Here is how to enable it in Synaptics Options
      Pointer Motion -> Momentum -> Enable Momentum

 

 

UPDATE: The driver has not functioned for some laptops. It is suited only for some laptops. If you have installed this driver, do let us know in the comments if this worked for you. Thanks!!!

Windows XP SP3: What is all the fuss about?

Microsoft has released the release client of  its latest service pack 3 here. I cant find anything new in it(despite several claims) … and definately none of the highly desired features are released(complete details in white paper)

Though the improved Wifi security is bound to be an essential  upgrade, but some of the basic ones like IE7 were left out .. Difficult to figure out ,what is going on in redmond these days (Copying in Vista! approve or deny  )