How to Fix OneNote for Windows 10 Switching from Pen to Select
Question details
The user needs to prevent OneNote for Windows 10 from automatically changing the active tool from Pen to Select.
- Product
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Taking handwritten notes or drawing using a stylus pen within the OneNote for Windows 10 application.
- Observed behavior
- The application automatically switches from the Pen drawing tool to the Select tool, and the user cannot find the option to disable this auto-switching behavior found in the desktop version.
Ensure your stylus pen drivers are fully up to date and clean your device's touchscreen to prevent ghost touches that might trigger the select tool.
Reset or Reinstall OneNote for Windows 10
Use this method if the drawing tool control is missing due to a corrupted app cache or outdated Microsoft Store installation.
OneNote for Windows 10 is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app. Sometimes, missing features or erratic touch behaviors can be resolved by repairing or resetting the app through Windows Settings.
Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open Windows Settings, then navigate to 'Apps' > 'Apps & features'.
Scroll down the list of installed applications, find 'OneNote for Windows 10', click on it, and select 'Advanced options'.
First, click the 'Repair' button to attempt a non-destructive fix. If the issue persists, return to this menu and click 'Reset' to clear the app's cache and data.
Open the Microsoft Store, go to your Library, and click 'Get updates' to ensure you are running the latest version of OneNote for Windows 10.
Switch to the OneNote Desktop Application
Use the desktop version of OneNote, which includes advanced drawing options to manually disable automatic tool switching.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote for Windows 10 automatically switch to the Select tool?
This happens due to built-in touch and pen heuristics designed to make navigating and selecting text easier. However, in the Windows 10 app version, this automatic switching can trigger erroneously during continuous handwriting or drawing, and the toggle to turn it off is often hidden or missing.
Is OneNote for Windows 10 the same as the desktop version?
No. OneNote for Windows 10 is a streamlined, Universal Windows Platform (UWP) application pre-installed on older Windows 10 builds. The desktop version (often called OneNote 2016 or simply OneNote) is the robust, feature-rich version included with Microsoft 365, which includes advanced pen settings.
Can I install the desktop version of OneNote without a Microsoft 365 subscription?
Yes, Microsoft provides the desktop version of OneNote as a free, standalone download from their official website. You do not need an active Microsoft 365 subscription to use its basic note-taking and advanced pen settings.
