Change Your Pointer

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated September 2, 2019)

1

By default, Windows 10 uses a default pointer size and color. For most users, these default settings work fine. For others, these settings don't work so well. Whether it's that the pointer size is too small or that the white pointer against lighter colors is hard to see, it's helpful to customize the pointer. Within Windows 10, you can change the pointer size or color quickly and easily.

To change either of these mouse pointer options, simply follow these quick steps:

  1. 1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "Cursor & Pointer," then press Enter. Windows displays the Cursor & Pointer section of the System settings of the Settings dialog box. (See Figure 1.)
  2. Figure 1. The Cursor & Pointer section of the Settings dialog box.

  3. Under the Change Pointer Size and Color section, click and drag the slider for the pointer size you want. Windows resizes the pointer when you release the mouse button. The pointer is now able be much larger than in previous versions of Windows.
  4. Under the slider, click on one of the four color options. The mouse cursor changes as soon as you click on a color.
  5. If you want to change the mouse pointer to a different color such as green, click on the fourth option to the right. This modifies the window to show seven color options. Choosing one of these immediately changes the pointer color. (See Figure 2.)
  6. Figure 2. The color options of the Cursor & Pointer section of the Settings dialog box.

  7. Once you have the pointer set to the format you want, close the Settings dialog box.

If you had a hard time with the default cursor settings, or you simply grew tired of the small white pointer, you now know how to change it to a style you prefer.

 This tip (13670) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Quick Screen Capture

Taking screen captures on your computer has been available on Windows computers for a while. Windows 10, however, allows ...

Discover More

Quick Assist for Quick Help

Many times, in our lives we will be asked, or we will ask, for computer help. Windows 10 offers a quick way of doing this ...

Discover More

Syncing Settings between Computers

When you use a Microsoft account or an Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) account, you can sync settings between the ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Modifying the Color Scheme

Windows maintains what it calls a color scheme to control how the various elements of Windows appear. Here's how to ...

Discover More

Changing a Program's Compatibility Settings

If an older program no longer runs under Windows, you may still be able to get some life out of it by changing its ...

Discover More

Adding a Tile to the Start Screen

The Start screen can serve as your launching pad for whatever programs you desire. Here's how to add tiles for your ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 + 8?

2019-09-02 18:26:20

Hawkmeister

As a 'lefty' periodically I get frustrated that the pointer doesn't point where I want to select. 99% of the time it's not a problem.

I have found instructions on how to switch the pointer arrow. It will work until the next Windoze Fupdate fouls it up, and changes it to point the previous way. (And probably change my default browser back to Edge... Grrr)

On opening this suggestion, I was hoping for a bit more depth in the content. Oh well...


Newest Tips