How to Change Your Cursor in Windows 10

To change your cursor in Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer. Drag the Change pointer size slider to make it bigger, and choose a pointer color. To change the cursor style, open Mouse Properties from Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options and pick a new Scheme on the Pointers tab.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.

Change the cursor size and color

1. Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer.
2. Drag the Change pointer size slider. Size 1 is normal.
3. Under Change pointer color, choose white, black, inverted, or the colored pointer.

4. For the colored pointer, pick a suggested color or select Pick a custom pointer color.

To make the text cursor thicker, go to Ease of Access > Text cursor and change Text cursor thickness.

Change the cursor style (pointer scheme)

1. Select Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse.
2. Under Related settings, select Additional mouse options.
3. Select the Pointers tab.
4. Choose a new look from the Scheme list, such as Windows Black or Windows Inverted.

5. Select Apply, then OK.

Use a custom cursor

Cursor files end in .cur (static) or .ani (animated).

1. Download cursors only from a site you trust, and save them to a folder such as C:\Windows\Cursors.
2. In Mouse Properties > Pointers, select a pointer under Customize, such as Normal Select.
3. Select Browse, choose your cursor file, and select Open.
4. Repeat for other pointers, then select Save As to keep your set as a scheme.

Change the text cursor

The blinking line where you type is the text cursor, and it has its own settings.

1. Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Text cursor.
2. Turn on Text cursor indicator to add a colored marker to it, then pick its size and color.
3. Drag Change text cursor thickness to make the line wider and easier to see.

Make the cursor easier to find

On the Pointer Options tab in Mouse Properties:

• Display pointer trails leaves a short trail as you move.
• Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key shows a circle around the pointer.

Reset the cursor to the default

In Mouse Properties > Pointers, set Scheme to Windows Default (system scheme) and select Use Default. In Ease of Access > Mouse pointer, set the size back to 1 and the color to white.

If the cursor won’t change

• The Pointers tab ignores your choice: a theme can change the cursor. On the Pointers tab, uncheck Allow themes to change mouse pointers, then choose your scheme again.
• The cursor disappears: press Ctrl to find it, or move the mouse to wake the screen. On laptops, check that the touchpad isn’t turned off.
• A custom cursor looks blurry: it may be too small. Use a larger cursor file or the size slider.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the cursor speed here too?

Yes. Go to Settings > Devices > Mouse and move the Cursor speed slider.

Why did my cursor get bigger by itself?

The size slider or a theme may have changed. Set Change pointer size back to 1.

Are downloaded cursors safe?

The cursor files themselves are small, but download them only from trusted sites and scan them with Windows Security.

Can I use a different cursor in just one app?

No. Your pointer settings apply across Windows. Some games and design apps draw their own cursor, so it may look different inside them.

For a darker look across Windows, see how to turn on dark mode in Windows 10.

To add new fonts to your PC, see how to install fonts in Windows 10.

On a touch screen laptop, see also how to turn off the touch screen in Windows 10.

To make the pointer move faster or slower, see how to change mouse sensitivity in Windows 10.

To make text and apps bigger or smaller, see how to reduce screen size in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Change mouse settings. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

Related: how to check mouse DPI in Windows 11.

Related: how to enable two-finger scrolling in Windows 10.