Where to find pointer settings on your computer

Your mouse pointer — the arrow or other symbol that moves when you move your mouse — can be changed through your computer's settings. On Windows, this is in the Mouse section of Settings. On Mac, it's in System Settings under Accessibility. Both operating systems come with built-in pointer styles, and you can also download new ones from the internet.

The steps differ between Windows and Mac because they store pointer files in different places and use different names for the settings. Windows calls them "cursors." Mac calls them "pointers." The process takes about five minutes either way, and you can change back to the original at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, go to Devices > Mouse, then click "Additional mouse options" to access the Pointers tab where built-in styles are listed.
  • Mac users open System Settings, navigate to Accessibility > Display, and can select different pointer styles from the Cursor size and style options.
  • You can download new pointer sets from websites like Cursor.cc or Deviantart, but downloaded files must be placed in specific folders before Windows or Mac will recognize them.
  • Changing your pointer does not affect how your mouse works — it only changes what you see on screen.
  • If a pointer style causes problems or you want to go back, you can always revert to the default pointer in the same settings menu.

Changing your pointer on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Once it opens, select Devices from the left menu, then click Mouse. Scroll down and click "Additional mouse options" — this opens the Mouse Properties window.

In the Mouse Properties window, click the Pointers tab at the top. You will see a list of pointer schemes with names like "Windows Default," "Windows Inverted," "Extra Large," and others. Click on any scheme name to see a preview of what that pointer looks like. Once you find one you want, click Apply, then OK. Your pointer will change immediately.

If you want to change only specific pointer styles instead of switching the entire scheme, you can do this in the same Pointers tab. Click on a pointer action in the list — for example, "Normal Select" — then click Browse to choose a different image file for just that pointer. This lets you mix and match styles.

Changing your pointer on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. In the sidebar, click Accessibility. Then click Display in the right panel. You will see options for "Cursor size" and "Pointer style."

The Pointer style dropdown shows several built-in options. Click the dropdown to see them — choices typically include standard black, white, and graphite pointers, plus larger versions. Select the one you want, and it takes effect immediately. Unlike Windows, Mac does not organize pointers into schemes; you change them one at a time.

If you want a larger pointer but prefer a different color, you may need to choose between the available built-in options, as Mac's built-in settings do not let you customize color and size separately. Downloaded pointer sets can offer more variety, but they require placing files in your Library folder.

Installing downloaded pointer sets on Windows

Pointer files you download from the internet come as .cur, .ani, or .zip files. If the file is a .zip, extract it first by right-clicking and selecting "Extract All." Then right-click the .cur or .ani file and select "Install" — Windows will automatically place it in the correct folder.

Once installed, the new pointer will appear in your Pointers tab in Mouse Properties. Open Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options > Pointers tab, and you will see it listed among your schemes. Click it and select Apply.

If the "Install" option does not appear when you right-click, you can manually place the file in C:\Windows\Cursors. Open File Explorer, type this path in the address bar, and paste the pointer file there. Then restart your computer. The pointer should appear in your Pointers tab after restart.

Installing downloaded pointer sets on Mac

Mac does not have a built-in installer for downloaded pointers the way Windows does. Instead, you must place pointer files in a specific Library folder. First, open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/Cursors and press Enter.

If the Cursors folder does not exist, create it by right-clicking in the Library folder and selecting "New Folder," then naming it "Cursors." Drag your downloaded pointer files into this folder. Restart your computer, then open System Settings > Accessibility > Display. Your new pointers should now appear in the Pointer style dropdown.

Downloaded pointers on Mac typically come as .cursor files or inside a .zip archive. Extract any .zip files before placing them in the Cursors folder. If a pointer does not appear after restart, check that the file is in the correct location and that you have restarted your computer.

Troubleshooting pointer problems

If a pointer style makes your screen hard to read or causes your mouse to behave strangely, go back to your pointer settings and switch to a different style. The pointer appearance does not affect how your mouse actually works — if your mouse is not responding, the problem is not the pointer style.

On Windows, if a downloaded pointer does not appear in your Pointers tab after you install it, try placing the file manually in C:\Windows\Cursors and restarting your computer. If it still does not appear, the file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format.

On Mac, if a downloaded pointer does not show up, verify that you placed it in ~/Library/Cursors (not ~/Cursors or another location) and that you restarted your computer. You can also try moving the file to ~/Library/Application Support/Cursors if the first location does not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my pointer bigger without changing its style?

On Windows, some pointer schemes come in "Extra Large" versions — look for scheme names that include this label. On Mac, the Cursor size slider in Accessibility > Display lets you increase pointer size without changing the style. If neither option gives you the size you want, you can download a custom pointer set designed for visibility.

Will changing my pointer affect how my mouse works?

No. The pointer is only what you see on screen. Changing it does not change how your mouse responds, how fast it moves, or any of its actual functions. If you want to adjust mouse speed or button behavior, those settings are separate from pointer appearance.

What if I download a pointer and it looks blurry or pixelated?

Older pointer files designed for lower screen resolutions can appear blurry on modern high-resolution displays. Try downloading a pointer set labeled "high DPI" or "retina" if you are using a newer computer. If the pointer still looks poor, try a different downloaded set or use one of your computer's built-in pointers.

Can I use the same pointer set on both Windows and Mac?

No. Windows uses .cur and .ani files, while Mac uses .cursor files. They are not compatible. You will need to find separate pointer sets designed for each operating system, or use the built-in pointers that come with each system.

How do I go back to my original pointer if I do not like the change?

On Windows, open Mouse Properties > Pointers tab and select "Windows Default" from the scheme list. On Mac, open System Settings > Accessibility > Display and select the standard pointer from the Pointer style dropdown. Your original pointer will return immediately.