Where to find cursor settings on your computer

The steps to change your mouse cursor depend on which operating system you use. On Windows, you'll go through the Settings app. On Mac, the System Preferences handles it. On Linux, the method varies by desktop environment, but GNOME and KDE both have built-in cursor settings. The actual cursor files themselves live in specific folders on your hard drive, but you don't need to find them manually — your operating system's settings panel does that for you.

Before you start, know that you can change the cursor style (the shape and appearance), the cursor size, and the cursor color. Some operating systems let you do all three; others limit you to one or two. You can also download custom cursor packs from third-party websites, though those require a few extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users open Settings, navigate to Accessibility > Mouse Pointer, and choose from built-in cursor styles or upload custom ones.
  • Mac users go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display and can adjust cursor size, but Mac offers fewer style options than Windows.
  • Linux cursor settings are in GNOME Settings or KDE System Settings under Appearance, depending on which desktop environment you use.
  • Custom cursor packs download as folders that you place in your system's cursor directory, then select from your settings panel.
  • Cursor changes take effect immediately and don't require a restart or sign-out.

Changing your cursor on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I or clicking the Start menu and typing "Settings". Once Settings opens, click Accessibility in the left sidebar. Then click Mouse Pointer. You'll see a section called "Cursor style" with a dropdown menu showing your current cursor.

Click the dropdown to see all available cursors. Windows includes about a dozen built-in options, ranging from standard arrows to larger or inverted styles. Select one and it changes immediately — you'll see the preview update on your screen. You can also adjust the cursor size using the slider below the style dropdown, making it anywhere from small to extra large.

If you want a custom cursor pack, download it from a third-party site (common sources include DeviantArt or cursor-specific sites). Extract the folder and move it to C:\Windows\Cursors. Then return to the Cursor style dropdown, click the dropdown arrow, and select "Browse" at the bottom. Navigate to your new cursor folder and choose the .cur or .ani file. Windows will add it to your list.

Changing your cursor on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click Accessibility, then click Display in the left sidebar. Look for the "Cursor size" slider and drag it to make your cursor larger or smaller. This is the main cursor adjustment Mac offers in the standard settings.

Mac's built-in options for cursor style are limited compared to Windows. You can't change the cursor shape through System Preferences alone. If you want a different cursor style, you'll need third-party software like Cursor Pro or similar apps from the Mac App Store. These apps let you download and apply custom cursor packs, but they run in the background and cost money.

Changing your cursor on Linux

The steps depend on whether you use GNOME or KDE, the two most common desktop environments. On GNOME, open Settings (usually accessible from the system menu in the top-right corner). Click Appearance, then look for "Cursor Size" and adjust the slider. GNOME also has a "Cursor Style" option where you can select from several built-in themes.

On KDE, open System Settings and navigate to Appearance > Cursors. You'll see a list of installed cursor themes. Click one to preview it, then click "Apply" to make it active. KDE typically includes more cursor themes than GNOME out of the box. To add custom cursors, download a theme and extract it to ~/.local/share/icons, then refresh the list in System Settings.

Where custom cursor files go on your computer

If you download a custom cursor pack, your operating system expects it in a specific location. On Windows, that's C:\Windows\Cursors or C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Cursors. On Mac, custom cursors go in ~/Library/Cursors. On Linux, they go in ~/.local/share/icons or ~/.icons.

You don't need to manually navigate to these folders if you use your operating system's settings panel — the "Browse" or import button does it for you. But if you're troubleshooting or want to delete a cursor pack, knowing where these folders are helps. The tilde (~) represents your home directory, which you can access by typing it into your file manager's address bar.

Cursor packs and where to find them

Cursor packs are collections of cursor styles bundled together as a single download. Common sources include DeviantArt (search "cursor pack"), Pling.com (which hosts Linux themes), and cursor-specific sites like Cursor.cc. Most packs are free, though some creators ask for donations. Download the pack as a .zip file, extract it, and move the folder to the location your operating system expects.

Before downloading, check whether the pack is compatible with your operating system. Windows cursor packs use .cur or .ani files. Mac packs are usually .tiff or .png files. Linux packs are typically .tar.gz or .zip archives containing theme folders. The description on the download page usually says which systems it supports.

Troubleshooting cursor changes that don't work

If you change your cursor and it doesn't update, try closing and reopening your settings panel. On Windows, you can also sign out and sign back in, though this is rarely necessary. If a custom cursor pack won't appear in your settings, make sure the folder is in the correct location and that you've extracted the .zip file completely — sometimes the cursor files are nested inside an extra folder.

On Mac, if a third-party cursor app isn't working, check that you've given it permission in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Accessibility. On Linux, if a new cursor theme doesn't show up, try running fc-cache -f -v in the terminal to refresh the font and cursor cache. If the cursor still doesn't change, verify that the theme folder contains the actual cursor files and not just a readme or image preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same cursor pack on Windows and Mac?

No. Windows uses .cur and .ani files, while Mac uses .tiff or .png files. A pack made for one system won't work on the other. You'll need to find separate packs for each operating system, or look for packs that explicitly say they support both.

Will changing my cursor affect how my mouse actually works?

No. Changing the cursor only changes what you see on screen. The mouse itself works exactly the same way — the click behavior, sensitivity, and button mapping are all separate settings. Cursor changes are purely visual.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the cursor?

No. Cursor changes take effect immediately on all three operating systems. You don't need to restart, sign out, or close any programs.

What if I want to go back to the default cursor?

On Windows, open Cursor style and select the default arrow. On Mac, adjust the cursor size back to normal in Accessibility. On Linux, select the default theme in your settings. You can switch between cursors as many times as you want.

Can I have different cursors for different programs?

Not through your operating system's built-in settings. Some third-party cursor apps on Mac and Linux offer this feature, but Windows does not. Most users stick with one cursor style system-wide.