Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10  

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    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10

    How to Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    06 Dec 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10


    A mouse pointer or cursor is a graphical image on the PC monitor or other display device. The pointer echoes movements of the pointing device, commonly a mouse, touchpad, or stylus pen, signals the point where actions of the user take place.

    Windows uses .ani (animated cursor) and .cur (cursor) files for mouse pointers.

    You can change how the mouse pointer looks to help make it easier to use in Windows.

    The default mouse pointers and cursors included with Windows are located in the C:\Windows\Cursors folder.

    This tutorial will show you how to change pointer size and color, change mouse pointers, and to select, save, and delete pointer schemes for your account in Windows 10.


    Contents







    OPTION ONE

    To Change Pointer Size in Settings


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Ease of Access icon.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 21359, the Ease of Access category in Settings has been renamed to Accessibility.


    2 Click/tap on Cursor & pointer on the left side, and adjust the Change pointer size slider to the size (standard, large, extra large) you want on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Starting with Window 10 build 18298, Microsoft introduced new cursor sizes and colors to make Windows easier to see. 11 additional mouse pointer sizes were added.

    Starting with Window 10 build 18309, there are now 15 pointer sizes available.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18945, you will need to click/tap on Mouse pointer on the left side instead.

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-pointer_size_18298.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    To Change Pointer Color in Settings


    1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Ease of Access icon.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 21359, the Ease of Access category in Settings has been renamed to Accessibility.


    2 Click/tap on Cursor & pointer on the left side, and click/tap on the the color (standard, black, inverted, custom) you want under Change pointer color you want on the right size. If you select custom color, you can either select from Suggested pointer colors, or click/tap on Pick a custom pointer color to select a custom color you want. (see screenshots below)

    Starting with Window 10 build 18298, Microsoft introduced new cursor sizes and colors to make Windows easier to see.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 18945, you will need to click/tap on Mouse pointer on the left side instead.

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-pointer_color_18298.jpg
    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-custom_color_for_mouse_pointer-1.jpg Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-custom_color_for_mouse_pointer-2.jpg






    OPTION THREE

    To Change Pointers in Mouse Properties


    1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Mouse icon.

    2 Click/tap on the Pointers tab, and do step 3, step 4, step 5, and/or step 6 below for what you would like to do.


     3. To Select a Pointer Scheme

    A) In the Scheme drop down menu, select a default or saved pointer scheme you want to use, and go to step 4 or step 7 below. (see screenshots below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-select_pointer.png


     4. To Customize Pointers

    A) Under Customize, select a pointer you want to change. (see screenshots below)

    B) Click/tap on Use Default if you want to change the pointer to use the default pointer for it.

    C) Click/tap on Browse if you would like to change the pointer to use an unblocked .ani or .cur file of your choice. Navigate to and select the .ani or .cur file, and click/tap on Open.

    E) Click/tap on Apply to make the change to see how you like it.

    F) Repeat step A if you would like to customize any other pointers.

    G) When finished customizing pointers, go to step 5 (save) or step 7 (delete) below.

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-customize_pointers.png


     5. To Save a Pointer Scheme

    A) When finished customizing your pointers, click/tap on Save As under Scheme. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-save_pointers_scheme-1.png

    B) Type a name (ex: "My pointers") you want to save the scheme as, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-save_pointers_scheme-2.png


     6. To Delete a Saved Pointer Scheme

    A) In the Scheme drop down menu, select a saved pointer scheme (ex: "My pointers") you want to delete, and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-delete_pointers_scheme-1.png

    B) Click/tap on Yes to confirm, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-delete_pointers_scheme-2.png

    7 When finished, click/tap on OK to apply and close Mouse Properties.






    OPTION FOUR

    To Change Pointers in Registry Editor


    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

    2 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

    3 In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-change_pointers_registry-1.png

    4 Do step 5 or step 6 below for what you would like to do.


     5. To Select a Pointer Scheme

    A) In the right pane of Cursors, double click/tap on the (Default) string value to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Type in the name of the pointer scheme in the table below you want to use, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-change_pointers_registry-2.png

    leave blank for None
    Magnified
    Windows Black (extra large)
    Windows Black (large)
    Windows Black
    Windows Default (extra large)
    Windows Default (large)
    Windows Default
    Windows Inverted (extra large)
    Windows Inverted (large)
    Windows Inverted
    Windows Standard (extra large)
    Windows Standard (large)


     6. To Customize Pointers

    A) In the right pane of Cursors, double click/tap on the expandable string value of the pointer you want to customize in the table below to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Type in the full path of the unblocked .ani or .cur file you want to use for the pointer, click/tap on OK, go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

    Change Mouse Pointers and Change Pointer Color and Size in Windows 10-change_pointers_registry-3.png

    Pointer Expandable String Value
    Normal Select Arrow
    Help Select Help
    Working in Background AppStarting
    Busy Wait
    Precision Select Crosshair
    Text Select IBeam
    Handwriting NWPen
    Unavailable No
    Vertical Resize SizeNS
    Horizontal Resize SizeWE
    Diagonal Resize 1 SizeNWSE
    Diagonal Resize 2 SizeNESW
    Move SizeAll
    Alternate Select UpArrow
    Link Select Hand

    7 When finished, close Registry Editor.

    8 Either sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.


    That's it,
    Shawn


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  2. Hopachi
    Posts : 1,323
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       New #1

    Thank you Shawn!
    I've added a link to this one on my Custom Cursors thread.
      My Computers
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  4. Brink
    Posts : 70,717
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    Thank you Horace. I hope it'll help. :)
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  5. memery
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #3

    Recently I did a nice fresh install of Windows 10 and set up the same set of custom pointers I've been using for a couple of years now. They looked great. When I restarted the scheme went back to the defaults. The "pointers" tab of mouse settings shows my saved scheme as selected but it's not active, and the "apply" button is greyed out. When I click "OK" the scheme is activated. Is there anyway to stop it from changing every time I restart? I never did that before!? Anyone have any ideas?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. Brink
    Posts : 70,717
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Hello memery, :)

    After you are finished making changes to your theme, save the theme to see if that may lock it to prevent it from being changed.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  7. tabreslin
    Posts : 11
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
       New #5

    Thank you Shawn. Option 1 using the Ease of Access option under Settings gave me the information I needed to increase the size of my mouse pointer to a size I no longer need a magnifying glass to see on my monitor.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. Brink
    Posts : 70,717
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    tabreslin said:
    Thank you Shawn. Option 1 using the Ease of Access option under Settings gave me the information I needed to increase the size of my mouse pointer to a size I no longer need a magnifying glass to see on my monitor.
    You're most welcome Teague. I'm glad it could help.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  9. tabreslin
    Posts : 11
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
       New #7

    Brink,

    I reinstalled a fresh copy of windows 10 and naturally, my super-sized pointer arrow went away. As usual I came to the only place to go for guidance and I found my answer above. (so simple)

    Thanks again for your time and effort spent making these forums available to the rest of us.

    Ted Breslin
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. Brink
    Posts : 70,717
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    tabreslin said:
    Brink,

    I reinstalled a fresh copy of windows 10 and naturally, my super-sized pointer arrow went away. As usual I came to the only place to go for guidance and I found my answer above. (so simple)

    Thanks again for your time and effort spent making these forums available to the rest of us.

    Ted Breslin
    Thank you Ted. I'm glad it could help.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  12. wellyj
    Posts : 15
    Windows 11
       New #9

    Can the Pointer Scheme be selected using a reg file? Would it be something like

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors]
    "(Default)"="Windows Inverted"
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

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