V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

Q: A NEW TRACKPAD DRIVER IS OUT

I've got a good news for Macbook Pro / Air owners: a new multitouch trackpad driver for Windows 7 is out.

This driver (codenamed 'Trackpad++') neither contains, nor modifies the original Apple code.
However, it relies on Apple drivers stack for raw hardware access, that's why Boot Camp 3.1 shall be installed first.

Features of the Trackpad++ driver (vs. Boot Camp 3.1 driver):

1. Improved pointer ballistics (pointer movement can be very slow or very fast, depending on the finger speed);

2. Dramatically improved two-finger scrolling experience: Mac OS X-similar (accelerated) scrolling model implemented;

3. Elimination of the most annoying Windows issue of Apple Multitouch Trackpad, i.e. false detection of drag'n'drop actions;

4. Trackpad++ Control Module for adjusting the Trackpad settings.

Supported Macbook Pro generations: Early 2008, Late 2008, Early 2009, Mid 2009;
Supported Macbook Air generations: all generations;
Supported Windows versions: Windows 7 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit (Boot Camp 3.1 shall be installed first).

You may visit http://trackpad.powerplan7.com for details.

Just by the way: there was an extensive beta-testing phase, and a lot of volunteers have tried Trackpad++ already, so I can assure You that the driver is rock-stable.

P.S. I wrote this driver. My another project is Power Plan Assistant - a popular utility for Boot Camp-enabled Macbook Pro and Air notebooks.

Cheers, and enjoy Trackpad++, something Apple definitely have had to implement a while ago... but I know and You know - it never would...

Posted on May 21, 2010 1:05 AM

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Q: A NEW TRACKPAD DRIVER IS OUT

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  • by georose,

    georose georose Jun 20, 2010 9:27 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 20, 2010 9:27 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Sometimes uninstalling the driver in Device Manager and letting Widows reinstall solves the problem.
  • by FrederiQ,

    FrederiQ FrederiQ Jun 21, 2010 1:35 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 21, 2010 1:35 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    @SthrnDixieCwgrl: I assume you haven't install Power Plan 7 software. Isn't it a mandatory preliminary step? Here's a quote from Trackpad++ installation guide:
    "1. Prerequisite step: install Power Plan Assistant for Windows® 7. If it's already installed, you may, of course, skip this step.
    Power Plan Assistant is needed, because during setup it adjusts the system signing policy, making it possible to install drivers
    without Microsoft-approved signature"
    ...
    And right below there's a warning: "Please note, this is a mandatory step! If Power Plan Assistant has not been installed, Trackpad++ driver installation will fail."

    K.R.,
    Fred
  • by SthrnDixieCwgrl,

    SthrnDixieCwgrl SthrnDixieCwgrl Jun 21, 2010 5:44 PM in response to FrederiQ
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 21, 2010 5:44 PM in response to FrederiQ
    I already have a power manager software that I use and it came with Windows so I do not need another one.
  • by ErikSar,

    ErikSar ErikSar Jun 21, 2010 11:09 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 21, 2010 11:09 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    if manual says install smth before installing driver or everything would fail and you didn't do it then why are you wondering why driver install failed? from here trackpad++ works like a charm. hope it would support 3+ fingers in the future. otherwise it's perfect right now. lol apple should hire vladimir & integrate his work with bootcamp
  • by SthrnDixieCwgrl,

    SthrnDixieCwgrl SthrnDixieCwgrl Jun 24, 2010 7:09 PM in response to ErikSar
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 24, 2010 7:09 PM in response to ErikSar
    I do not need 2 different power manager softwares installed when the one from Windows works fine
  • by cola09,

    cola09 cola09 Jul 6, 2010 11:50 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2010 11:50 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Is there any way to toggle the trackpad on/off via keyboard input? Would great to have a hotkey combination for this. BTW Trackpad++ made me staying more and more at the Windows side of my MBP. Isn't it the thing Apple DOESN'T want most? :))
  • by ErikSar,

    ErikSar ErikSar Jul 15, 2010 11:47 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 15, 2010 11:47 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    yes ability to enable-disable trackpad with say fn-esc would be awesome
  • by SthrnDixieCwgrl,

    SthrnDixieCwgrl SthrnDixieCwgrl Jul 16, 2010 4:36 PM in response to ErikSar
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jul 16, 2010 4:36 PM in response to ErikSar
    This program is worthless and is not worth the time, effort, or headaches.
  • by Jacob Lindberg,

    Jacob Lindberg Jacob Lindberg Jul 16, 2010 6:10 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 16, 2010 6:10 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Is there a Vista-version of this dirver? oris there another driver for Vista that improves the trackpad?
  • by Soivouse,

    Soivouse Soivouse Jul 17, 2010 2:22 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 17, 2010 2:22 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    I'm using Trackpad++ for about a month on a Mid-2009 MBP 15" with Windows 7 Ultimate x64. Here's a kind of review, hope this should help the fellows who are still unsure of installing it to clarify the things out. So, the installation comes first. Not that it's too tricky or complex. It's manual, though (well, for the driver component only). Isn't it a bit uncommon for the novadays software? To the contrary, Trackpad++ control panel component has its own installer, and its installation couldn't be easier. Anyways, the installation steps available at Trackpad++ website are accurate enough to let a newcomer perform the setup without any issues. And yes, you'll need to install Power Plan software as a prerequisite. In fact, this will allow you to disable/enable keyboard backlight, toggle wi-fi and bluetooth connectivity with just two clicks - not bad. Not the waste of the disk and RAM space you could think of. After the Trackpad++ installation, the first thing you'll FEEL is smoother and smarter pointer behavior. It's so close to OS X that you'll never see the difference. And horizontal and vertical scrolling are both NEARLY PERFECT (I would say, 10 times better than the Boot Camp 3.1 implementation). Again, the scrolling is now very close to OS X impl., except of the fact that it's not pixel-fine. Nevertheless, it is very, very pleasant to use. Finally, the option to ignore accidental input as you type works (OK). To be honest, the only thing I'm disappointed of is the total absense of 3- and 4-finger gestures. Hope they will be added soon and kill OS X
  • by cola09,

    cola09 cola09 Aug 1, 2010 10:31 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 1, 2010 10:31 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Is the Trackpad++ compatible with the brand new Magic Trackpad? The device is incredible on Mac OS X! While the latest Boot Camp update is... hmmm..... just too poor to live with...
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Aug 12, 2010 1:18 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Aug 12, 2010 1:18 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    To cola09:

    It is planned to support the Magic Trackpad.

    No ETA yet, though: I have to get one first.
    In my country it is not yet available at all.
  • by cola09,

    cola09 cola09 Aug 23, 2010 11:30 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 23, 2010 11:30 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Thanks a lot for your answer! I think entire community is waiting now. Especially for three finger swipe
  • by novaprospekt89,

    novaprospekt89 novaprospekt89 Aug 24, 2010 9:44 PM in response to cola09
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 24, 2010 9:44 PM in response to cola09
    I've used the PowerPlan/Trackpad++ driver on and off for a few weeks since buying my MBP a few weeks ago. I'll offer my version of a "review":

    I think the PowerPlan utility is certainly useful -- especially the quick bluetooth/wifi toggle ability, keyboard backlight control and changing settings based on a powered or battery state.

    However, there are two things that ultimately make me keep uninstalling it and not wanting to use it. 1) Every time I boot Windows 7, I get a User Account Control (UAC) prompt that requests permission to run powerplan. It's a pet peeve that every time I log into windows my computer halts until I answer the prompt. I know there are some overrides out there such as setting scheduled tasks or disabling UAC but those aren't exactly desirable nor should they be necessary.

    The other thing is 2) You need to re-download the program every week or so because it appears to have a temporary license to run for only a week at a time before it refuses to run until updated. You can override this too by setting your clock back a few days to trick the program into running and then setting it back but that's annoying and it's a pain in the *** to have to reinstall something every week. I know it has something to do with donations and what not but I don't like being harassed -- I'll donate if and when I feel like I've gotten great benefit from something that is free. Worth mentioning, if the program creator doesn't update the program license on the website, you will be dead in the water and forced to do the clock trick -- this happened a few weeks ago when there was no update for an extra week.

    As far as the trackpad++ driver goes, it too has some great features but because of its reliance on powerplan as well as its week to week licensing stuff, I found that its benefits did not outweigh the inconveniences. By manually configuring the "scroll wheel" in windows mouse control panel and sensitivity, I was able to modify how the built in trackpad works to great extent. I also selected smooth scrolling which helped a lot too without trackpad++ drivers.

    I think overall the two programs have great features for those who can't be bothered to tweak things themselves, and both have great potential to be even better. As it stands now though, I am a bit disappointed.
  • by Babar Akbar,

    Babar Akbar Babar Akbar Sep 12, 2010 12:14 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 12, 2010 12:14 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Hi,
    I dont know if this is relevant but i have been looking for a solution to my track pad problem. The track pad works when i tap it but it doesn't work when i press it at the bottom. The reason that i think its a software issue is because sometimes the button starts working on its own. Its frustrating because it does it on its own. I have windows 7 installed and Apple just released a bootcamp update for Windows 7. Does anyone know that by installing this program i might have a chance to fix this issue and/or if there are any other suggestions.

    Thanks in Advance

    Babar
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