How-To

How to Change the Mouse Cursor in Windows 11

By Adam Davidson

Updated March 1, 2024

Tired of the same old arrow being dragged around your screen? Here’s how to change the mouse cursor in Windows 11.

The computer mouse has been around for a long, long time. The first demonstration of the peripheral was back in 1968, and despite the development of trackpads and touchscreen technology, the good old mouse is still going strong.

Whether you’re using a mouse or a trackpad, you still have to drag the familiar mouse cursor around the screen to interact with windows and other objects on your PC. There’s nothing wrong with the default mouse cursor, but it’s certainly not the most exciting icon in the world. You might decide you want a change, or you might want to choose something easier to see against the apps and windows you’re using most often. If so, it’s possible to choose from a range of options for your pointer, or you can even install a custom cursor scheme. Here’s how to change the mouse cursor in Windows 11.

How to Change the Mouse Pointer Style in Accessibility Settings

You can make some basic changes to your mouse cursor in the Windows 11 Accessibility settings. This allows you to choose from four different mouse styles, one of which allows you to select a specific color for your mouse cursor. In addition, you can increase the size of the pointer if the current size is too small.

1. Right-click the Start menu.
   
2. Select Settings.
   
3. In the left-hand menu, click Accessibility.
   
4. Under Vision select Mouse Pointer and Touch.
   
5. To use the default white mouse cursor, select the White option.
   
6. To use a black mouse cursor, select the Black option.
   
7. Select the Inverted option to use a mouse that adapts to the color that it’s directly over so that the mouse is more easily visible against different colored backgrounds. When using this option, the effect may only work with larger mouse cursor sizes.
   
8. Select Custom to choose the color of your mouse cursor.
9. You can choose one of the Recommended Colors or click Choose Another Color to select one of your own.
   
10. To change the size of your mouse cursor, use the Size slider to the right to increase the cursor size, or to the left to reduce it.
    
11. Any changes you select take immediate effect.

How to Change the Mouse Pointer Style in the Control Panel

You can also make changes to the mouse pointer style in the Control Panel. This lets you choose between black, white, and inverted options, although there’s no custom color option available through the Control Panel. You can also choose from regular, large, or extra-large mouse sizes.

1. Type Control Panel in the Search field in the taskbar.
   
2. Select Control Panel from the results.
   
3. Click Ease of Access.
   
4. Under Ease of Access Center select Change How Your Mouse Works.
   
5. You’ll see a list of available pointer options. To use the default white color, choose one of the White options.
   
6. For a black mouse pointer, select one of the Black options.
7. To use an inverted mouse pointer that changes depending on the colors underneath it, select one of the Inverting options.
8. For a standard-sized pointer, choose a Regular option, or choose Large or Extra Large for a pointer that’s larger than standard.
9. Your selection won’t take effect until you click Apply.
   

How to Change the Mouse Properties in Windows 11

You can also change the mouse cursor through the Mouse Properties settings in Windows 11. This allows you to choose from some of the pre-set mouse pointer options or to customize your mouse by selecting your own pointer. You can then use a symbol other than an arrow as your mouse pointer if you wish.

1. Right-click the Start menu.
   
2. Select Settings.
   
3. In the left-hand menu, click Bluetooth & Devices.
   
4. Select Mouse.
   
5. Under Related Settings click Additional Mouse Settings.
   
6. Select the Pointers tab.
   
7. To choose a different scheme, click the Scheme drop-down and select one of the available options. By default, you can choose from Standard, Black, Default, and Inverted You can also choose Large or Extra Large versions of each option.
   
8. To customize your mouse point, click the Normal Select option in the Customize section, and then click the Browse button.
   
9. Select one of the installed cursor images to use as your mouse pointer and click Open. Some options without a clearly defined point may not be ideal for accurate use.
10. Your changes will not come into effect until you click the Apply button at the bottom of the window.
11. If you chose a custom pointer, you can revert to the standard pointer icon by repeating steps 1 through 6 and choosing one of the default schemes.

How to Install a Custom Mouse Cursor in Windows 11

If you want to change up the look of your mouse cursor in Windows 11, you can install a custom mouse cursor scheme. There are many options available online, including many that are free to download. Once installed, you can select your custom mouse cursor scheme as your mouse pointer of choice and make your Windows 11 experience more personal. You should be sure to download custom mouse cursor schemes only from websites that you trust, as installing files from unknown websites could put your computer and your data at risk.

1. Find and download a custom cursor scheme that you want to use from a reputable site.
2. Right-click the downloaded file and select Extract All to unzip the file.
   
3. Once the files are extracted, locate the .INF file that allows you to set up the cursor scheme. It may be called something such as Install.
4. Right-click the .INF file and select Install.
   
5. The new custom cursor scheme should be installed and selected.
6. If your cursor hasn’t changed, right-click the Start menu and click Settings.
   
7. Select Bluetooth & Devices.
   
8. Click Mouse.
   
9. Select Additional Mouse Settings.
   
10. Click the Pointers tab.
    
11. Click the Scheme drop-down and select the newly installed cursor scheme.
    
12. At the bottom of the window, click Apply and your cursor should change to your new version.

Changing Your Mouse Cursor in Windows 11

If you’re sick of using the same old pointer, learning how to change the mouse cursor in Windows 11 can help you make your OS more personalized. Choosing a different pointer can also help if you’re struggling to see the pointer in certain situations. Changing from white to black or vice versa, choosing a custom color, or opting for the inverted mouse that will change color depending on the background, can make your pointer more visible so you don’t have to waste time hunting for it. You can even install your own custom pointers so that you can have the exact look that you want. Just be sure that you only download custom cursor schemes from sites that you trust.