I'd agree that Window8 was not fully vetted....but...that's another soap box. Ray, identify your laptop please so someone can guide you. Asus? see my comments. Those with synaptic touch pads see the very good one in these threads (control panel, etc, etc). Not sure I can help with Acer...mine is old and running Vista. However, it appears that many laptops are linking many apps with/to their touchpads...ergo, find the touchpad program/software...explore that...slowly, one at a time, unselect, apply, see what happens. If your not happy...re-select the box...and as I always say...keep an USB mouse with you at all times!
Oh one last thing...not to you Ray...sorry...gotta go and don't want to restart a new reply...if you DON'T like Windows8....buy a computer with Windows7!!! They're still out there! Thanks for the reply, I have previously posted laptop specs ( Toshiba Satellite etc ) and followed all suggestions about disabling edge swipe etc, but as I said, although that did reduce the instances of this **** "feature" , it still occurs far too many times a day. ( considering that in 6 months I have never needed it, wanted it, requested it ......... or deliberately tried to produce it even once ) Yes you are right, if I don't like it I can revert to Windows 7, will Microsoft be offering a free "downgrade" to myself, and the one or two other people who foolishly bought laptops with this totally inappropriate operating system for the platform? Ray