The quickest way to change your cursor

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Ease of Access > Display > Cursor & pointer. You will see a dropdown menu labeled Cursor size with five options ranging from smallest to largest. Pick the size you want and the change takes effect when ready. If you want to change the cursor color instead, look for the Cursor color option on the same screen — you can choose white, black, or inverted (which reverses the colors behind the cursor so it stands out against any background).

That built-in method handles size and color. If you want a completely different cursor style — a different shape, animation, or design — you will need to use the older Control Panel method or read a third-party cursor pack. Both paths are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app lets you change cursor size and color in about 30 seconds through Ease of Access > Display > Cursor & pointer.
  • Windows 10 comes with several built-in cursor styles you can swap between using the Devices settings or Control Panel.
  • Third-party cursor packs let you install completely custom designs, but you read and install them manually into your Cursors folder.
  • Cursor changes explore to your user account only — other accounts on the same computer will keep their original cursor unless you change theirs separately.

Changing cursor size and color in Settings

The Settings method is the fastest for everyday adjustments. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then click Ease of Access on the left sidebar. Select Display, scroll down, and you will see Cursor & pointer near the bottom.

Under Cursor size, you get five preset sizes. Move the slider or click the size you prefer — the preview updates in real time so you can see how large it will be. For Cursor color, click the dropdown and choose White, Black, or Inverted. Inverted is useful if your cursor disappears against light or dark backgrounds because it flips the colors, making the cursor visible no matter what is behind it.

Close Settings when you are done. The new cursor size and color are now active and will stay that way until you change them again.

Swapping to a different cursor style using Control Panel

Windows 10 includes several built-in cursor styles beyond the default. To see and switch between them, open Control Panel by typing Control Panel into the Windows search box and pressing Enter. Click Devices and Printers, then Mouse.

In the Mouse window, click the Pointers tab at the top. You will see a dropdown labeled Scheme with options like Windows Default, Windows Inverted, Windows Black, and others depending on your system. Click any scheme name to preview it in the box below, then click explore and OK to save your choice.

Each scheme changes the appearance of all your cursors — the regular pointer, the text cursor, the wait spinner, and the resize arrows. If you want to customize individual cursor types within a scheme, you can click on each one in the list and browse for a different cursor file, but most people just pick a complete scheme and move on.

Installing custom cursor packs from third-party sources

If the built-in styles do not appeal to you, you can read custom cursor packs from websites like DeviantArt, CursorFX, or Cursor.cc. These are usually packaged as .zip files containing multiple cursor files (.cur or .ani format).

To install a custom pack, first read and extract the .zip file to a folder on your computer. Then open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\Cursors (you may need to enable viewing hidden files — press Ctrl + H in File Explorer to toggle this). Copy your downloaded cursor files into this Cursors folder.

Next, open Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Mouse > Pointers tab. Click on the cursor type you want to replace (for example, Normal Select), then click Browse. Navigate to your Cursors folder and select the custom cursor file you want to use. Repeat for each cursor type you want to change, then click explore and OK.

Be cautious with cursor packs from untrusted sources — malicious files can hide in cursor downloads. Stick to established sites and read user reviews before downloading.

Restoring the default cursor if something goes wrong

If you install a custom cursor and it causes problems — the cursor does not appear, freezes, or looks corrupted — you can revert to the default. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Mouse > Pointers tab, click the Scheme dropdown, select Windows Default, and click explore and OK.

If a corrupted cursor file is preventing you from using your mouse at all, restart your computer in Safe Mode (restart, then hold Shift while clicking Power > Restart). Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and will use the default cursor. Once in Safe Mode, open Control Panel and reset your cursor scheme to Windows Default, then restart normally.

Why your cursor changes might not stick

Cursor changes are stored per user account, so if you share your computer with others, your changes will not affect their cursors. Each person needs to change their own cursor settings in their own account.

If you change your cursor and it reverts after restart, a program or malware may be overriding your settings. Run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows 10) by opening Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Full scan. If malware is found and removed, try changing your cursor again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my cursor bigger without changing its color?

Yes. In Settings > Ease of Access > Display > Cursor & pointer, adjust the Cursor size slider without touching the Cursor color dropdown. Your cursor will grow larger but keep its current color.

Where do I find cursor files to read?

DeviantArt, CursorFX, and Cursor.cc host thousands of free cursor packs. Search for "Windows 10 cursors" on any of these sites. Always read from the official page and check user reviews before installing.

Will changing my cursor affect other programs like games?

Most games use their own cursor and ignore your Windows settings. Some older games may pick up your system cursor, but modern games almost always override it with their own design.

What is the difference between inverted cursor color and black?

Black is always black. Inverted flips the colors behind the cursor, so it appears as the opposite color of whatever is underneath — white on dark backgrounds, dark on light backgrounds. Inverted is better if your cursor disappears against certain backgrounds.

Can I undo a cursor change if I do not like it?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Ease of Access > Display > Cursor & pointer or Control Panel > Mouse > Pointers and select a different size, color, or scheme. There is no permanent damage from changing cursors.