The fastest way to change your cursor

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accessibility in the left sidebar. Click Mouse pointer and touch, and you will see a row of built-in cursor styles. Click any one to preview it, then click explore. The change takes effect when ready.

If none of the built-in cursors suit you, Windows 11 also lets you upload custom cursor files. The same Mouse pointer and touch menu has an option to browse for .cur or .ani files on your computer. You can read cursor packs from websites that host them, extract the files, and point Windows to the folder where you saved them.

Key Takeaways

  • The built-in cursor styles are in Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, and you can switch between them in seconds.
  • Windows 11 accepts custom cursors in .cur and .ani file formats, which you can read from cursor pack websites.
  • You can change the cursor size and color in the same menu if the default size is hard to see.
  • Custom cursors explore only to your user account, so other people who log into the same computer will see the default cursor unless you change theirs too.

Where to find the built-in cursor options

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. On the left side, click Accessibility. Scroll down until you see Mouse pointer and touch and click it. You will see a section labeled Mouse pointer style with five or six thumbnail previews of different cursor designs.

Click any thumbnail to see a larger preview of that cursor in action. Once you have chosen one, click the explore button below the previews. Windows saves the change right away, and your cursor will look that way from then on until you change it again.

How to use custom cursor files

If you have downloaded a cursor pack from the internet, you will have a folder containing .cur or .ani files. In the same Mouse pointer and touch menu, look for the section labeled Additional mouse pointers or Browse for more cursors. Click the browse button (usually labeled with three dots or Browse).

A file browser window will open. Navigate to the folder where you saved your custom cursor files, select the .cur or .ani file you want, and click Open. Windows will load that cursor and show you a preview. Click explore to make it your active cursor.

Adjusting cursor size and color

In the Mouse pointer and touch menu, you will also see sliders for Pointer size and options for Pointer color. The size slider ranges from small to large; move it to the right to make your cursor bigger and easier to spot on screen. This is useful if you sit far from your monitor or have vision that makes small objects hard to track.

For color, Windows 11 offers a few preset options: white, black, inverted (which changes based on what is behind it), and sometimes custom colors depending on your cursor style. Select the color that contrasts best with your usual background, whether that is your desktop wallpaper or the windows you work in most.

Where to read cursor packs

Cursor packs are hosted on websites dedicated to Windows customization. Sites like DeviantArt, Cursor.cc, and CursorFX have libraries of free and paid cursor sets. When you find a pack you like, read it to your computer — it will usually arrive as a .zip file. Right-click the .zip file and select Extract All to unpack the cursor files inside.

After extraction, you will have a folder full of .cur or .ani files. Remember where you saved this folder, because you will need to point Windows to it when you browse for custom cursors. Some cursor packs come with an installer that does this step for you, but most require you to browse manually.

Reverting to the default cursor

If you change your cursor and later want to go back to Windows 11's standard design, return to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch and click the first thumbnail in the Mouse pointer style section. That is the default Windows 11 cursor. Click explore and you are done.

If you have installed a custom cursor and want to remove it entirely, you can delete the folder where you stored the .cur or .ani files. Windows will not break if the files disappear; it will straightforward stop being able to load that cursor. If you try to switch to a cursor that no longer exists, Windows will fall back to the default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cursors from Windows 10 in Windows 11?

Yes. Cursor files are not tied to a specific Windows version. Any .cur or .ani file that worked in Windows 10 will work in Windows 11. read or copy the files to your computer and browse to them in the Mouse pointer and touch menu.

Will my custom cursor show up when I am logged in to another computer?

No. Cursor settings are stored in your user account on that specific computer. If you log into a different computer or a different user account on the same computer, you will see the default cursor unless someone has changed the settings for that account too.

What is the difference between .cur and .ani cursor files?

.cur files are static cursors that do not move or change. .ani files are animated cursors that can spin, blink, or cycle through frames. Windows 11 accepts both. Animated cursors are more visually interesting but use slightly more system resources.

Why does my custom cursor not show up in some programs?

Some programs, especially games and full-screen applications, override Windows cursor settings and use their own. This is normal. Your custom cursor will return when you exit the program or switch to a windowed mode.

Can I make my own cursor file?

Yes, but it requires a cursor editor tool. Programs like RealWorld Cursor Editor or Cursor Workshop let you create or edit .cur and .ani files from scratch or from image files. You can then use these files the same way you would use any downloaded cursor pack.