VS Code on Windows
A code editor needs a different scroll feel from a long article. SmoothScroll lets VS Code have its own Windows-level profile instead of forcing one global curve everywhere. VS Code also has an editor.smoothScrolling setting for editor-only behavior, while SmoothScroll adds a Windows-level mouse-wheel profile across desktop apps.
Free for supported use cases. No telemetry. Windows 10 and 11 supported.
Short answer
SmoothScroll can give VS Code a dedicated mouse-wheel profile on Windows. A shorter animation time and controlled step size can keep line navigation precise, while Ctrl + wheel and Alt + wheel pass-through remain available for zoom or editor commands that should receive raw wheel ticks.
Long easing tails can be pleasant for reading but frustrating when you are trying to land on a specific function, diff hunk, or terminal line. SmoothScroll profiles let VS Code use a shorter animation time and a step size chosen for precise navigation.
The profile applies at the Windows application level, so you can keep a softer browser profile at the same time. Switching between Chrome and VS Code does not require moving sliders manually.
Editors and extensions may use modifier-plus-wheel input for zooming or other commands. SmoothScroll can pass Ctrl + wheel and Alt + wheel through without smoothing and can clear existing inertia as soon as a modifier is pressed.
That avoids the common failure mode where a smoothing utility makes command-style wheel input feel delayed. Ordinary vertical navigation can stay eased while modifier gestures stay direct.
For code review, use a smaller step size so a notch does not skip past the lines you are comparing. For very large files, acceleration can still let repeated wheel ticks build speed when you intentionally move farther.
If one embedded view or tool window does not behave well with synthetic wheel input, exclude the application or temporarily toggle SmoothScroll off. The goal is predictable navigation, not smoothing at any cost.
Create a VS Code profile with a moderate step size and shorter animation time than your browser or reading profile.
Keep Ctrl + wheel pass-through enabled if you use mouse-wheel zoom. Enable Alt + wheel pass-through when your workflow or extensions bind that gesture.
Use acceleration for deliberate fast navigation, but cap it if repeated notches make you overshoot code sections.
A/B test with the global hotkey and keep the profile only if it makes navigation more predictable for your editor workflow.
Yes. VS Code has an editor.smoothScrolling setting for editor scrolling. SmoothScroll works at the Windows mouse-wheel layer instead, so you can tune a dedicated VS Code profile alongside different settings for other applications.
Yes. SmoothScroll supports per-app profile assignments, so VS Code can use a tighter profile while Chrome uses a longer or softer easing setup.
Yes when Ctrl + wheel pass-through is enabled. SmoothScroll can send those modifier wheel ticks through raw instead of stretching them across the normal scroll animation.
Start near the default step size with a relatively short animation time, then reduce step size if you overshoot lines. Keep modifier pass-through enabled and tune acceleration only after basic navigation feels predictable.
Smooth Chrome mouse-wheel scrolling on Windows while keeping Ctrl + wheel zoom responsive. Use system-level easing plus per-app Chrome profiles.
Smooth mouse-wheel scrolling across Windows 10 and 11 apps with configurable easing, acceleration, per-app profiles, exclusions, and modifier pass-through.
Windows scrolling guides
Choose the guide closest to your setup. Each page explains the problem, the relevant SmoothScroll controls, and a practical starting configuration.
Tune mouse-wheel easing, duration, and direction for a more gliding Windows scroll feel.
Read guide →Turn discrete wheel notches into eased movement across Windows apps.
Read guide →A practical path for mouse-wheel scrolling that feels jumpy in apps without consistent inertia.
Read guide →Use system-level smoothing while keeping Ctrl + wheel zoom responsive.
Read guide →