How to Change the Cursor on Windows 10

What to Know

Select a cursor scheme from Mouse Settings > Additional mouse options > Mouse Properties > Pointers tab.
Manually pick another cursor from Mouse Properties > Customize > Browse.
Go to Mouse Settings > Adust mouse and cursor size and change the relative size of pointers and cursors.

The mouse is the main device you use to interact with your Windows computer. Your preference for pointers and cursors can have a subtle impact on your productivity. This article shows you how to change the cursor on Windows 10 and customize it to your liking.

How to Change the Mouse Cursor on Windows 10

You don’t have to stay with the default cursor. You can always make it more interesting or more visible. Windows allows you to choose among several native themes and customize the cosmetics with third-party cursor packs. Let’s change the default cursor first.

Go to Windows Search on your Windows 10 taskbar.
Type "Mouse" to display search results related to the mouse. Select the top result that says Mouse Settings or "Change your mouse settings" to launch the Settings screen.
On the Mouse settings screen, select Additional mouse options under Related settings on the right.
On the Mouse Properties dialog, select the Pointers tab. Change the appearance of the cursor with the options here.
Select a Scheme from the dropdown. The list includes all default Windows mouse themes and every installed cursor packs.
Select a pointer scheme to preview its icons in the Customize box.
Choose Apply to use the scheme. Select the OK button to exit the dialog if you like the scheme.

How to Manually Customize the Cursor on Windows 10

Windows allows you to not only install third-party cursor packs but also pick individual pointers and cursors to your liking. In short, you can mix and match them to create your own color scheme.

Downloaded cursor packs can have both CUR and ANI files. Files with CUR extensions are static cursors, while ANI file formats are animated cursor files.

Highlight and select the pointer or cursor you want to change.
Select Browse on the bottom right hand corner of the Mouse Properties screen. It will open the Windows Cursors folders (C:\Windows\Cursors). Select a cursor that matches the function you want it to perform.
Select Open. Then press Apply to finalize your new cursor.
Save this custom scheme by selecting Save As > Save Scheme. Give the scheme a new name.
Select OK to exit the Mouse Properties dialog box.

Change Cursor Size and Color

Two sliders help change the size of the pointer and cursor for those with vision problems (or larger screens).

Go to Mouse Settings > Adust mouse and cursor size.
On the Cursor & pointer screen, move the slider under Change pointer size and color to increase or decrease the pointer size. Select a thumbnail to change the color.
Move to Make the cursor easier to see when typing. Drag the slider to the right to change the cursor’s thickness.

Reasons to Change Mouse Pointers in Windows 10

Apart from aesthetics alone, there can be several reasons to change your cursor.

Make your cursor easier to see against a dark or light background.
High contrast cursors (like the Inverted schemes) are an accessibility need for someone with poor eyesight.
Larger cursors are suitable for screens with higher resolutions and sizes.

Note:

You can easily install third-party cursor packs that have an INF file. Just right-click on the INF file and choose Install. The installed set will appear under the Scheme dropdown. If the cursor pack lacks an INF file, then manually choose and apply the individual pointers and cursors as described above.

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