Where to find cursor settings on your computer
Your mouse cursor settings live in your system preferences, not in individual programs. On Windows, you reach them through the Control Panel or Settings app. On Mac, they are in System Preferences or System Settings depending on your macOS version. Both operating systems let you change the cursor appearance, size, and speed without installing anything extra.
The exact path varies slightly by Windows version and macOS release, but the principle is the same: open your system settings, search for "mouse" or "cursor", and you will land on the control panel where all cursor options live. You do not need administrator permission to change how your cursor looks, though you may need it to install custom cursor files in some cases.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac both store cursor settings in their main system preferences, accessible through Settings or Control Panel without special permissions.
- You can change cursor size, color, speed, and pointer scheme using built-in options without downloading anything.
- Custom cursors require downloading cursor files and placing them in your system's cursor folder, a process that differs between Windows and Mac.
- Accessibility cursor options like high-contrast pointers and larger sizes are built into both operating systems.
- Cursor changes take effect immediately and do not require restarting your computer.
Changing cursor settings on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "mouse". Click on "Mouse settings" or "Additional mouse options". The Mouse Properties window will open with several tabs: Pointers, Pointer Options, and Wheel. The Pointers tab shows your current cursor scheme — the set of different cursor shapes Windows uses for different actions (arrow, text selection, loading, etc.).
Click the Pointers tab and you will see a dropdown menu labeled "Scheme" at the top. Windows includes several built-in schemes: Windows Default (Black), Windows Default (Inverted), Windows Black (Large), and others. Select a scheme from the dropdown and click Apply. You will see the cursor change immediately on your screen. If you want to change individual cursor shapes rather than whole schemes, click on one cursor in the list, click Browse, and select a different .cur or .ani file from your computer.
The Pointer Options tab controls cursor speed and visibility. Drag the "Motion" slider to make the cursor move faster or slower. Check "Display pointer trails" to leave a faint line behind your cursor as it moves — useful on laptops or if you lose track of the cursor. Check "Show location of pointer when I press the Ctrl key" to make the cursor jump to a circle when you press Ctrl, which helps you find it quickly.
Changing cursor settings on Mac
Open System Preferences (older macOS) or System Settings (macOS Ventura and newer) and click Accessibility. In the left sidebar, click Display. Scroll down to the Cursor section. Here you will find a slider to increase cursor size — drag it to the right to make your cursor larger. You can also toggle "Shake mouse pointer to locate" on, which makes your cursor grow larger when you move the mouse quickly, making it easier to find.
Mac does not include as many built-in cursor schemes as Windows, but you can change the cursor color and size through Accessibility settings. If you want to use custom cursors beyond what Accessibility offers, you will need to download cursor files and place them in your Library folder, which requires using Finder to navigate to hidden folders.
Installing custom cursors on Windows
Custom cursor files come as .cur, .ani, or .cur.zip files. Download the cursor file you want to use. If it is a .zip file, extract it first. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\Cursors (you may need to show hidden files to see this folder). Paste your custom cursor file into this folder.
Open Mouse Properties again (Windows key + type "mouse"), go to the Pointers tab, and click Browse. Navigate to C:\Windows\Cursors and select your custom cursor file. Click Open, then Apply. The cursor will change immediately. If you want to create a full custom scheme, repeat this process for each cursor type (Normal Select, Help Select, Working in Background, Text Select, Handwriting, etc.), then save the scheme with a name of your choice.
Installing custom cursors on Mac
Mac custom cursors require more steps than Windows because you must place cursor files in a hidden Library folder. Download your cursor file (usually a .png or .tiff file, or a folder containing multiple cursor files). Open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files. Navigate to Library > Cursors (create the Cursors folder if it does not exist). Paste your cursor file or folder here.
Restart your computer for the cursor to appear in System Preferences. Open System Settings, go to Accessibility > Display, and look for your custom cursor in the available options. If it does not appear, check that the file format is correct (Mac typically uses .tiff or .png) and that the file is in the correct folder.
Accessibility cursor options built into both systems
Both Windows and Mac include cursor options designed for people who have difficulty seeing or tracking the standard cursor. Windows offers high-contrast cursor schemes (white on black, black on white, or inverted colors), extra-large cursor sizes, and pointer trails. Mac offers cursor size adjustment and the shake-to-locate feature. Both systems let you change these settings without downloading anything.
If you use a screen reader or magnification software, your cursor settings will work alongside those tools. Test your cursor changes in the settings window itself before closing — you will see the cursor change in real time, so you can confirm the new size or color works for you before saving.
Troubleshooting cursor changes that do not work
If you change your cursor scheme and it does not appear, restart your computer. Some programs override system cursor settings while they are running, so close any open applications and try again. If you installed a custom cursor and it does not show up, check that the file is in the correct folder (C:\Windows\Cursors on Windows, Library > Cursors on Mac) and that the file format is correct (.cur or .ani on Windows, .tiff or .png on Mac).
If a custom cursor file is corrupted or in the wrong format, Windows and Mac will simply skip it and use the default cursor instead. Download the cursor file again from the source, or try a different cursor file to test whether the problem is the file or your installation process. On Mac, remember that you must restart your computer after placing a new cursor file in the Library folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same custom cursor on Windows and Mac?
No. Windows uses .cur and .ani files, while Mac uses .tiff and .png files. You will need to download or convert cursor files to the format your operating system uses. Some cursor packs include both formats, but most do not.
Will changing my cursor affect how other people see my screen?
No. Your cursor settings are stored on your computer only. If you share your screen in a video call or remote session, other people will see your cursor, but if they take control of your computer remotely, their cursor will appear instead of yours.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing cursor settings?
No, unless you installed a custom cursor on Mac. Windows cursor changes take effect immediately. Mac built-in cursor changes also take effect immediately, but custom cursor files require a restart to appear in your settings.
What if my cursor keeps reverting to the default after I change it?
Some programs or accessibility tools reset cursor settings when they start. Check whether you have screen reader software, magnification tools, or gaming software running — these sometimes override your cursor choice. Close those programs and change your cursor again.
Can I make my cursor invisible?
Windows and Mac do not include a built-in invisible cursor option in standard settings. Some custom cursor packs include a blank or transparent cursor file you can download and install. Alternatively, some programs let you hide the cursor while typing, but this is a program-level setting, not a system-wide one.