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 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 14, 2013 11:49 PM in response to thwap
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Aug 14, 2013 11:49 PM in response to thwap

    @thwap: Yes, I tweaked the scrolling recently, good that you noticed this. Actually, now my "ultimate scrolling dream" is a "scrolling workshop", where a user can tweak the acceleration formula graphically, using 10 approximating points. This way, every user will be able to find that "sweet spot". So, this could be one of the major new features in the future releases.

    Regarding horizontal scroll, I'm just sending the hor. scroll commands to OS, and they generally work in other applications (right?), so I don't know how to make it more compatible with Photoshop. By the way does T++ "Respect Focus" scrolling setting affect anything in Photoshop? (Just in case: this setting is available only in Windows 8).

  • by buckZor,

    buckZor buckZor Aug 15, 2013 1:32 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 15, 2013 1:32 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Vlad,

    I discovered your awesome software just today to assist me with my retina MBP 15-inch running in Bootcamp!  I was so excited, it is exactly what I need and then I was crushed to find that neither PPA nor Trackpad++ work unless I log in as an Administrator.  I am running Windows7 Enterprise Edition SP1 64-bit.  Have you a workaround for this limitation?  I never run windows as an Administrator, that’s just crazy! (nobody should!) 

     

    Thank you for developing this awesome software, I eagerly look forward to a workaround!

     

    For additional information, I cannot even launch the PowerPlanAssistantLauncher.exe or trackpad++ control module.exe as a standard user even when using the "Run as Administrator" feature in Windows 7.  I have to actually login as an Administrative user.

  • by Contradel,

    Contradel Contradel Aug 15, 2013 1:52 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Aug 15, 2013 1:52 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Hey Vladimir. Just installed Trackpad++ for Windows 8 64bit. How do I get rid of the Test mode watermark in the right corner? I believe it came with Power Plan Assistant.

  • 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 16, 2013 12:10 AM in response to Contradel
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 12:10 AM in response to Contradel

    @buckZor: Thank you very much for pointing to this issue, I am adding this to to-do list for one the future versions.

    Thinking out loud: maybe nobody should, but according to (my favorite ) download and feedback statistics everybody does (Trackpad++ has ~300,000 downloads and so far only 1 (yours) such request). And this is explainable, as it seems like the password-protected full account plus UAC set to normal or maximum should provide the same level of security. Finally, even Microsoft lets the people create administrator, no limited user account by default when installing Windows.

     

    @Contradel: Just in case the Power Plan Assistant didn't remove this for you, here is (my) standalone Windows 8 fix:

     

    http://powerplan7.com/Windows_8_x64_Test_Mode_Remover.zip

     

    USAGE: unzip, run *as administrator*, wait until says done, reboot. By the way it's safe to apply the fix multiple times. For example, if the message persists after reboot, apply the fix again. The only thing which could affect the success of the fix is your locale settings, the fix is 100% verified to work with English Windows 8, so, if no success, please try to temporary change both the region and display language to English (USA).

  • by Contradel,

    Contradel Contradel Aug 16, 2013 3:42 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 3:42 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Thanks Vladimir.

  • by buckZor,

    buckZor buckZor Aug 21, 2013 8:59 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 21, 2013 8:59 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    I wanted to respond that I have found the fix to my UAC limited user situation.  Also, I wanted to state that I am not the only one, I read through several pages of this thread and saw more than one user stating the same thing without a response, in fact a google query brought me to this thread somewhere in the middle of the 50 pages with someone stating the same thing.. 

     

    Regardless, the fix is to NOT install using UAC escalation, as this will install into the Administrator profile.  This application is Windows PROFILE specific.  So, you need to give the your standard user membership in the Administrator group PRIOR to install.  Login with your now Administrative rights, install Power Plan Assistant then install TrackPad++.  Remove Administrators group membership from your standard user account, logout, log back in and it will work. 

     

    If you DID install with UAC or even logged in as Administrator, you will have to Uninstall both applications before doing this.  Hope this helps someone, its working fantastically for me now and I am running as a standard "User" on my system.  Mid 2012 retina Mackbook Pro with Bootcamp v5.0.

     

    Thanks again Vlad for the software!

  • by gxgani,

    gxgani gxgani Aug 23, 2013 6:02 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 23, 2013 6:02 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    After installing T++ 2.4b and launching Windows 8 under VMWare fusion, the whole system freezes after few seconds on to the desktop. It was all fine except the "TrackPad++ warning" which shows up really late when I run bootcamp under VMWare Fusion.

     

    Secondly, is it possible to use Native autorun instead of the Task Scheduled initiation of control module? I guess this could be conflicting with the late launch of the module (lag in the launch?)

     

    Is it also possible to launch before the user logs in? Like at the Lock Screen.

     

    Thank you for developing this driver and supporting continously!

  • 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 24, 2013 10:49 AM in response to gxgani
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Aug 24, 2013 10:49 AM in response to gxgani

    @gxgani: I'm sorry, but since Trackpad++ driver is intended solely for the real Boot Camp installation, I cannot guarantee the compatibility (or provide support) regarding the virtual environments. As of January 2013, both Parallels and VMware Fusion had no issues. Trackpad++ shall be simply disabled in virtual environment, and this is coded to be done automatically. There is nothing to add or to change in code from the Trackpad++ side.

     

    Now regarding your second question. There is a reason for such auto-startup method. Previous versions of the Trackpad++ required user to manually click 'Allow' in the UAC prompt on each startup. Since this was very irritating, and such the auto-startup method is the only way to avoid UAC prompt, it had been chosen over all the rest of the methods. Just to remind, Trackpad++ is integrated into Boot Camp HID driver stack, so certain things have to be switched off, tuned, etc. - right on the Trackpad++ startup. And this requires administrative privileges. This cannot be changed unless the architecture of Trackpad++ is changed dramatically, e.g. to overwrite Boot Camp HID stack completely. Also, for that same reason, not possible to launch at the Lock Screen / before user login.

  • by Lgjmac,

    Lgjmac Lgjmac Aug 25, 2013 9:45 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 9:45 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Vladimir you are one **** of a guy! Thank you for this; I cannot believe that you give it away for free.

    I want to be able to activate trackpad++ permanently. I am incredibly poor right now otherwise I would have donated immediately. My lack of cash is temporary and by this time next week hopefully I shall be rolling in it again (joking, however I will be able to make a donation). Would you be willing to send me a reg code.... lgjmac@gmail.com before then? I will then make a donation once I have some cash? I won't forget, I value integrity highly.


    Either way, thank you. The fact you put this together at all, then shared it with the world, then continue to maintain it; all on an honesty policy is incredible.

  • by mauriciofromhuixquilucan,

    mauriciofromhuixquilucan mauriciofromhuixquilucan Aug 26, 2013 3:03 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 26, 2013 3:03 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Yesterday I found Power Saver and Trackpad++, Vladimir you hit right on the spot ! These tow apps have exactly what I was looking for for a long time ! Finally I can have more of my OS X experience in Win 7. Thanks a lot. I am definetly donating.

  • 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 27, 2013 11:48 PM in response to mauriciofromhuixquilucan
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Aug 27, 2013 11:48 PM in response to mauriciofromhuixquilucan

    @mauriciofromhuixquilucan: Thank you very much, I have received the donation and responded to you.

     

    @Lgjmac: Thank you for the good feedback. You can use the Trackpad++ for as long as you wish, so I think you can just continue using it while waiting for the day when you can donate...

  • by mauriciofromhuixquilucan,

    mauriciofromhuixquilucan mauriciofromhuixquilucan Aug 28, 2013 5:20 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 28, 2013 5:20 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Hi Vladimir, I am pretty new with Trackpad++, as I said it is fantastic ! I just noticed that it has no horizontal scrolling. Is there any chance to have it in the near future ? or Am I missing something ?

     

    Thanks a lot, regards !

     

    Mauricio.

  • by KylerC,

    KylerC KylerC Aug 28, 2013 6:39 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 28, 2013 6:39 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Hey, great fix so far very happy with all functionality. My only complaint is the helpers use a lot of system resources for such a small change

  • by FrederiQ,

    FrederiQ FrederiQ Aug 29, 2013 11:27 AM in response to KylerC
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Aug 29, 2013 11:27 AM in response to KylerC

    Are you sure? I paranoidally monitor CPU and RAM usage, so I'm pretty sure it's all under control when the Trackpad is loaded. A few extra MB of used RAM don't hurt much when you have at least4 GB

     

    K.R.,

    Fred

    Trackpad++ Fan since 2010

  • by mauriciofromhuixquilucan,

    mauriciofromhuixquilucan mauriciofromhuixquilucan Aug 29, 2013 2:20 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (19 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2013 2:20 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

    Hi Vladimir, guys, has anyone have the following problem. Installation of Power Saver and Trackpad++ OK. Imput of serial OK. But ... next time I install any software, mi Win 7 goes into Test Mode. In the lower right corner of the screen there is a text "Test Mode Windows 7 Build 7601. If I take Win 7 out of test mode with :

     

    bcdedit /set TESTING OFF ( in an elevated command window),

     

    then next time I boot, I receive a message saying that Trackpad++ could not found something and to please rerun the Trackpad++ installer. If I do I go back to Win 7 Test Mode.

     

    Is there a way to get rid of the Test Mode legend in the lower right hand corner of the screen permanently, even after installing other apps?

     

    Thanks a lot for your advise. Regards,

     

    Mauricio.

    Macbook Air 11, OS X ML

    Bootcamp

    Win 7 X64 (Up to date)

    4GB RAM

    62 GB SSD for Win 7

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