How to Change The Mouse Pointer in Windows Operating System

Some people customize everything from the wallpaper to the Google background image. But if you want to do it like an expert, you have to customize your computer’s cursor. If you’re going to distinguish yourself from others, attract attention, and use something exclusive, you will be interested in knowing how to change the mouse pointer in Windows. We explain.

1. Change The Default Cursor

Step 1: change mouse settings

Click or press the Windows icon, then type “mouse” Click Change mouse settings from the list of options that appears when you open the main mouse settings menu (this is also available in the Main Settings app). Then select Additional Mouse Options.

In earlier versions of Windows, the shortcut to mouse or touchpad settings is usually found in the Control Panel.

Step 2: choose a scheme

In the Mouse Properties window that appears, select the Pointers tab. The first option it indicates is Scheme. Then click on the drop-down menu, and you’ll see about a dozen different pointers.

These are collections of static and animated images that completely replace the default “arrow” and its associated tools. Most of them are boring but functional and take on the classic Windows look.

Variations come in black and white for the best contrast, and in various sizes to accommodate different screen resolutions and people with low vision.

Step 3: Select and apply a scheme

Click on any of the schemes to see a preview of the useful pointers in the lower half of the window. You can move from side to side to compare the color and size. Inverted outlines are especially helpful for those who have a hard time seeing the standard white cursor.

When you’ve found one that looks good, click Apply to implement the changes. Go back to the Mouse Properties menu for any further changes in the future. The Enable pointer shadow option adds an aesthetic shadow to the pointer; it is interesting, but not very useful.

2. Cursor Customization

If you want to change one or more cursors, it is also easy to do so.

Step 1: select a cursor

In the Customize part of the window, select the cursor you want to change. Fifteen different ones can be applied to other situations in Windows 10. However, most of the time, you only have to worry about the central pointer, the link pointer, the text selection cursor, and the window resizing cursors.

To select a custom cursor, click Browse. The default Cursors folder will open, “C: WindowsCursors,” where hundreds of different cursor options are available.

Step 2: Choose a role

Click one that matches the function (not the schema) of the current pointer, then click Open to apply it to the current schema. You can repeat this step as many times as necessary to get the desired result, or click Use Default Value to return to the standard cursor for the outline in question.

Repeat the process with any other cursor you want to change, then click Apply to activate it.

3. Cursor Package Download

Customizing Windows interface elements has become less popular lately, but it is still an option for more advanced users. Many programs will install additional cursor schemes or pointers in the default menu, such as CursorFX from Stardock.

Sites like the Open Cursor Library have dedicated sections for custom cursors. Once installed, they are selected the same as in the process mentioned above.

If you have found one or more cursors that you want to install manually, you will need to copy their image files directly to the Cursors folder. In Windows 7, 8, and 10, it is located in the default Windows installation folder, usually located at “C: WindowsCursors.”

The Browse function described above can go to any folder on your PC, but it is usually best to keep all cursor files in the default folder for easy access.

When downloading cursor files or additional programs, take the same care as with another download: Malware attacks are increasingly serious problems and cannot be taken lightly. Please do not download files or programs from untrustworthy sources and check the files with a virus scanner before opening them.