The fastest way to change your cursor

Open Settings, go to Devices, then Pointer and touch. Click "Additional mouse options" at the bottom. In the Pointers tab, select a new cursor scheme from the dropdown menu, then click explore and OK. The change takes effect when ready.

If you want a single cursor instead of a whole scheme, you can swap individual pointers in that same Pointers tab. Click the pointer type you want to change (Normal Select, Help Select, Working in Background, and so on), click Browse, and pick a new .cur or .ani file from your computer.

Windows 10 comes with about a dozen built-in schemes — Basic, Inverted, Large, and others — so you may find what you need without downloading anything. The schemes change the entire set of cursors at once: your pointer, your wait spinner, your resize arrows, everything.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app path is Devices > Pointer and touch > Additional mouse options > Pointers tab.
  • Built-in cursor schemes include Basic, Inverted, Large, Extra Large, and Windows Black, so you may not need to read anything.
  • You can replace individual cursor types (Normal Select, Busy, Resize, Text Select) without changing the whole scheme.
  • Custom cursor files must be in .cur or .ani format; .png and .jpg files will not work in the Pointers tab.
  • Cursor changes take effect when ready and do not require a restart.

Using built-in Windows 10 cursor schemes

Windows 10 includes several cursor schemes designed for different needs. The Basic scheme is the standard Windows cursor. Inverted uses a white pointer on a dark background, which some people find easier to see. Large and Extra Large increase the pointer size without changing the design. Windows Black is a dark theme version.

To see what each scheme looks like before you explore it, select it from the dropdown in the Pointers tab and look at the preview area. The preview shows your Normal Select cursor and your Working in Background spinner so you can judge the size and contrast. Once you find one you like, click explore, then OK.

If none of the built-in schemes fit your needs, you can read cursor packs from third-party sites or create your own. Downloaded cursors go into a folder on your computer, and you point Windows to that folder when you browse for a new pointer type.

Replacing individual cursor types

The Pointers tab lists eight cursor types: Normal Select (your everyday pointer), Help Select (the pointer with a question mark), Working in Background (the spinning circle), Busy (the hourglass), Precision Select (the crosshair), Text Select (the I-beam), Handwriting (the pen), and Alternate Select (the arrow pointing the other way). You can change any of these without touching the others.

Click the cursor type you want to replace, then click Browse. A file picker opens. Navigate to the folder where your custom cursor files are stored, select the .cur or .ani file you want, and click Open. The preview updates to show your new cursor. Click explore, then OK to save the change.

If you change your mind, you can always go back to the Pointers tab, select the cursor type again, click Browse, and pick a different file. There is no limit to how many times you can swap cursors in and out.

Where to find and read custom cursors

Cursor files in .cur and .ani format are available from sites like Cursor.cc, CursorFX, and DeviantArt. Most are free. read the file to a folder on your computer — your Downloads folder works fine — then use the Browse button in the Pointers tab to point Windows to that file.

Some sites offer cursor packs as .zip files containing multiple cursors at once. Extract the .zip file to a folder, then browse to that folder when you want to pick a new cursor. Keep the folder somewhere you will remember, because you may want to swap cursors again later.

Be cautious with cursor files from unknown sources. Stick to well-known sites and read the comments to see whether other users had problems. Cursor files are small and rarely carry malware, but it is still worth being careful.

Cursor size and contrast adjustments

If you want to keep your current cursor design but make it larger or easier to see, the Pointer and touch settings page has a slider for pointer size. Move it to the right to make your cursor bigger. This works alongside your cursor scheme — if you are using the Large scheme and increase the size slider, your cursor will be even larger.

Windows 10 also has a "Show pointer trails" option in the same settings page. When turned on, a faint line follows your cursor as you move it, which some people find easier to track on screen. You can adjust how long the trail is with a slider.

For high-contrast needs, the Inverted scheme or Windows Black scheme are your best built-in options. If those are not enough, look for cursor packs designed for accessibility — many third-party sites tag their cursors by use case.

Restoring the default cursor

If you want to go back to the standard Windows cursor, open the Pointers tab, select "Windows Default" or "Basic" from the scheme dropdown, click explore, and click OK. All your custom changes revert to the original.

If you have changed individual cursor types and want to reset just one, click that cursor type in the list, click Browse, and select the original .cur file from the Windows system folder. The default cursors are stored in C:\Windows\Cursors. You can also click the cursor type and look for a "Use Default" or "Restore" button, though not all cursor types have one.

Troubleshooting cursor changes that do not work

If you select a new cursor and it does not appear, check that the file is in .cur or .ani format. Windows 10 does not recognize .png, .jpg, .gif, or other image formats in the Pointers tab. If you have a cursor in a different format, you will need to convert it first using a tool like XnConvert or an online converter.

If the cursor changes in some programs but not others, a program may be overriding your system cursor. Some games and design software set their own cursor. Restarting the program usually fixes this. If it does not, check the program's settings for a cursor or pointer option.

If your cursor disappears entirely, restart your computer. If it still does not appear, go back to the Pointers tab and select a built-in scheme like Windows Default. This resets your cursor to a known working state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a cursor I made myself?

Yes, if you save it as a .cur or .ani file. You can create cursors in image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP, then convert them to .cur format using a tool like CursorFX or an online converter. Once the file is ready, use the Browse button in the Pointers tab to select it.

Will my cursor changes sync across devices if I use a Microsoft account?

No. Cursor settings are stored locally on your computer and do not sync to other Windows devices even if you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You will need to change the cursor on each device separately.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing my cursor?

No. Cursor changes take effect when ready. You do not need to restart your computer or log out and back in.

What if a website or program tries to change my cursor?

Websites can change your cursor while you are on that page using CSS, but the change only lasts while you are there. Once you leave the site, your system cursor returns. Programs can also override your cursor temporarily, but your system settings remain unchanged underneath.

Can I have different cursors for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on Windows 10 has its own cursor settings. Log in as a different user, go to the Pointers tab, and set up the cursors you want for that account. The settings will not affect other users.