Where to find mouse cursor settings on your computer
Your mouse cursor appearance lives in your system settings, not in individual programs. On Windows, you reach it through the Control Panel or Settings app. On Mac, it's in System Preferences or System Settings depending on your macOS version. The exact path varies slightly by operating system version, but the principle is the same: you're telling your computer which visual to display when you move your mouse.
Most people never change their cursor because the default arrow works fine. But if you want a different shape, color, or style — or if you need a larger cursor for visibility — your operating system has built-in options, and you can also download custom cursor sets from third-party sources.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users open Settings, go to Devices, then Mouse, then Additional mouse options, then the Pointers tab to change cursor appearance.
- Mac users open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), go to Accessibility, then Display, then Pointer, and choose a cursor size and style.
- Windows includes several built-in cursor schemes like large pointers and inverted colors; Mac offers size adjustments and color options.
- Custom cursor packs can be downloaded and installed on both systems, but they require manual file placement in specific system folders.
Changing your cursor on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Devices" in the left sidebar, then click "Mouse" in the submenu. At the bottom of the Mouse settings page, you'll see a link that says "Additional mouse options" — click that.
A window titled "Mouse Properties" will open. Click the tab labeled "Pointers" at the top. You'll see a dropdown menu that currently shows your active cursor scheme — usually "Windows Default" or "Windows Default (large)." Click that dropdown to see other built-in schemes. Windows includes options like "Windows Black (large)," "Windows Inverted," and "Windows Inverted (large)." Select the one you want, then click "Apply" and "OK."
If you want to customize individual cursor shapes within a scheme, you can click on each cursor type in the list (Normal Select, Help Select, Working in Background, and so on) and click "Browse" to choose a different image file for that specific cursor. This requires cursor image files on your computer, which you can download from cursor websites.
Changing your cursor on Mac
On newer Macs running macOS Ventura or later, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting "System Settings." On older Macs, open "System Preferences" instead. Once open, click "Accessibility" in the sidebar.
In Accessibility, click "Display" in the left menu. You'll see a section labeled "Pointer" with two controls: size and color. Drag the size slider to the right to make your cursor larger, or to the left to make it smaller. For color, you can choose from preset options like black, white, or green, or click "Color" to pick a custom color from a palette. Your changes take effect immediately.
Mac does not have built-in cursor shape options the way Windows does — you can only adjust size and color. If you want different cursor shapes on Mac, you'll need to download and install a third-party cursor pack, which is more involved than on Windows.
Installing custom cursor packs on Windows
Custom cursor packs are collections of cursor image files bundled together. You can download them from websites that host cursor designs. Once downloaded, you'll have a folder containing .cur or .ani files (cursor file formats).
To install them, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\Cursors (you may need to enable viewing hidden files first). Copy your downloaded cursor files into this folder. Then open Mouse Properties again (Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options > Pointers tab), click "Browse," navigate to C:\Windows\Cursors, and select the cursor file you want to use for each pointer type.
Alternatively, some cursor packs come with an installer program that does this automatically. If your download includes a .exe or .msi file, run that first — it will place the cursor files in the right location and may even create a new scheme for you automatically.
Installing custom cursor packs on Mac
Mac cursor installation is more technical than Windows. Downloaded cursor packs usually come as .cursor files or folders. You'll need to place them in your Cursors folder, which is located at ~/Library/Cursors (the tilde ~ means your home folder). You may need to show hidden files to see the Library folder — press Command+Shift+Period to toggle hidden files on and off in Finder.
Once you've placed the cursor files in ~/Library/Cursors, restart your computer. Then return to System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Pointer and look for your new cursor in the list. Not all third-party cursors work perfectly on Mac, and some may require additional steps or compatibility checks.
Troubleshooting cursor changes that don't work
If you change your cursor scheme and nothing happens, try restarting your computer. Sometimes the change doesn't take effect until you log out and back in or restart. On Windows, you can also try clicking "Use Default" in the Pointers tab, then reapplying your chosen scheme.
If a custom cursor pack won't appear in your list of options, check that the files are in the correct folder (C:\Windows\Cursors on Windows, ~/Library/Cursors on Mac) and that they're in a supported format (.cur or .ani on Windows, .cursor on Mac). On Mac especially, some third-party cursors may not be compatible with your macOS version — check the pack's documentation to confirm it works with your system.
If your cursor becomes invisible or behaves strangely after installing a custom pack, return to your system settings and switch back to the default cursor scheme. Then check the cursor pack's documentation or try a different pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my cursor bigger without changing its style?
Yes. On Windows, select "Windows Default (large)" or another large scheme from the Pointers dropdown. On Mac, use the size slider in System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Pointer. Both let you increase cursor size without changing the appearance.
Will changing my cursor affect how other people see my screen?
No. Your cursor appearance is a local setting on your computer only. If you share your screen in a video call or screen-sharing session, other people will see the cursor you've chosen, but it won't change anything on their computers.
Where do I download cursor packs?
Websites like Cursor.cc, CursorFX, and DeviantArt host free and paid cursor packs. Download only from sites you trust, since cursor files run at the system level. Read reviews and check that packs are compatible with your Windows or Mac version before downloading.
Can I undo a cursor change if I don't like it?
Yes. On Windows, go back to Mouse Properties > Pointers and select "Windows Default" from the dropdown. On Mac, return to System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Pointer and reset the size and color to their defaults. Your original cursor will return immediately.
Do I need administrator rights to change my cursor?
On Windows, changing built-in cursor schemes does not require administrator rights. Installing custom cursors in C:\Windows\Cursors may require administrator access depending on your account type. On Mac, you do not need administrator rights to change cursor settings or install cursors in your personal Library folder.