Mouse Pointers - Change

Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast
    Mouse Pointers - Change

    Mouse Pointers - Change

    How to Change the Mouse Pointers in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change the Mouse Pointers in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to change and customize the mouse pointers in Windows 7.

       Note
    Windows 7 uses .ani (animated cursor) and .cur (cursor) files for the mouse pointers.

    The default Cursor folder in Windows 7 is located at C:\Windows\Cursors. It would be best to keep your pointers saved in this folder as well.

       Tip
    For all you left handed folks out there, here are some left handed Aero cursors for you in a .zip file below. :)


    Download







    OPTION ONE

    To Change Pointers in Mouse Properties

    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Mouse icon.

    2. Close the Control Panel window.

    3. Click on the Pointers tab, then do either step 4 or 5 below for how you would like to change them. (see screenshot below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-properties-1.jpg
    4. To Select a Mouse Pointer Scheme (theme)
    NOTE: This will let you select a default Windows 7 scheme, or a custom scheme saved by you from step 6 below.
    A) Under Scheme, select a scheme that you want to use for all of the pointers from the drop down menu. (see screenshot above and below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-properties-2.jpg
    B) If you do not want to customize any of these pointers, then go to step 8.
    5. To Customize and Change a Mouse Pointer
    NOTE: This will allow you to change any individual pointer event in a scheme to whatever pointer that you want instead.
    A) Under Customize, select the event that you want to change the pointer for, and click on the Browse button. (see screenshot below step 3)
    NOTE: If you want to use the default pointer for that event, click on the Use Default button instead. This can be handy if you have already changed pointer from it's default pointer.

    B) Navigate to where you have your pointer saved to, then select it and click on the Open button. (see screenshow below)
       Note
    For custom mouse pointer .cur or .ani file that you have downloaded and saved to your computer, be sure that you right click on the .cur or .ani file, click on Properties, General tab, and click on the Unblock button if there as below. Not making sure that the .cur file is unblocked already will prevent the image from being used and displayed.

    Mouse Pointers - Change-unblock.png
    Mouse Pointers - Change-browse.jpg
    C) If you do not want to save your new custom pointers scheme, then go to step 8.
    6. To Save a Mouse Pointer Scheme (theme)
    NOTE: This will allow you to save your custom scheme so that it will be available to select from step 4 above.
    A) Under Scheme, click on the Save As button. (see screenshot below step 4)

    B) Type in a name for your pointers scheme and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-save.jpg
    7. To Delete a Mouse Pointer Scheme (theme)
    NOTE: This will allow you to delete a custom scheme that you have saved from step 6 above. You cannot delete a default Windows 7 pointers scheme.
    A) Under Scheme, select a scheme from the drop down menu that you want to delete, and click on the Delete button. (see screenshots below step 3 and 4A)
    NOTE: If the Delete button is grayed out, then you have a default Windows 7 pointers theme selected. You will need to select one that you had saved from step 6 before instead.

    B) Click on Yes to confirm the deletion. (see screenshot below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-confirm.jpg
    8. When done, check the Allow themes to change mouse pointers box and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-check.jpg
    9. Now, save your new Windows theme. (see screenshots below)
    NOTE: Since your new mouse pointer theme is also part of your Windows theme, you will need to re-save your Windows theme so that the changes you made to your mouse pointers are applied again the next time you log off and log on or restart the computer.
    Mouse Pointers - Change-theme.jpg

    Mouse Pointers - Change-theme-2.jpg



    OPTION TWO

    To Change Pointers in Registy Editor

    1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

    2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    3. In regedit, navigate to the location below, then do either step 4 or 5 below for how you would like to change them. (see screenshot below)
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors
    Mouse Pointers - Change-reg1.jpg
    4. To Select a Mouse Pointer Scheme (theme)
    A) In the right pane of Cursors, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

    B) Type in the Data value exactly as is below for the pointer Scheme that you would like to use, and click on OK. (see screenshow below)
    Mouse Pointers - Change-modify1.jpg

    Data Values:

    • (leave empty in Modify for None)
    • Magnified
    • Windows Aero (extra large)
    • Windows Aero (large)
    • Windows Aero
    • Windows Black (extra large)
    • Windows Black (large)
    • Windows Black
    • Windows Inverted (extra large)
    • Windows Inverted (large)
    • Windows Inverted
    • Windows Standard (extra large)
    • Windows Inverted (large)

    B) If you do not want to customize any of these pointers, then go to step 6.
    5. To Customize and Change a Mouse Pointer
    NOTE: This will allow you to change any individual pointer event in a scheme to whatever pointer that you want instead.
    A) In the right pane of Cursors, right click on the string value Name (see table below) for the mouse pointer that you want to change, then click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)
    NOTE: The string value names in red below are not listed by default, and will need to be added. To do so, right click in a empty space in the right pane and click on New and String Value, then type in the string value name below and press enter.

    Mouse Pointer String Value Name
    Normal Select Arrow
    Help Select Help
    Working in Background AppStarting
    Busy Wait
    Precision Select Crosshair
    Text Select IBeam
    Handwriting NWPen
    Unavailable No
    Vertical Resize SizeNS
    Horizontal Resize SizeWE
    Diagonal Resize 1 SizeNWSE
    Diagonal Resize 2 SizeNESW
    Move SizeAll
    Alternate Select UpArrow
    Link Select Hand

    B) Type in the full path to the location of your saved .ani or .cur file within quotes, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
       Note
    For custom mouse pointer .cur or .ani file that you have downloaded and saved to your computer, be sure that you right click on the .cur or .ani file, click on Properties, General tab, and click on the Unblock button if there as below. Not making sure that the .cur file is unblocked already will prevent the image from being used and displayed.

    Mouse Pointers - Change-unblock.png
    Mouse Pointers - Change-modify.jpg
    6. Close regedit.

    7. Now, save your new desktop theme. (see screenshots below)
    NOTE: Since your new mouse pointer theme is also part of your desktop theme, you will need to re-save your desktop theme so that the changes you made to your mouse pointers are applied again the next time you log off and log on or restart the computer.
    Mouse Pointers - Change-theme.jpg

    Mouse Pointers - Change-theme-2.jpg
    That's it,
    Shawn Brink





  1. Posts : 32
    Widnows 7 Ultimate Beta x64 Build 7100
       #1

    Check these cool Cursors .
    MAC OS X Theme Cursors

    Mouse Pointers - Change-macos.png
    Added Attachment the image and Cursors
    OR
    Download from here
    RapidShare: Easy Filehosting

    Read here
    Mac OSX Cursors on Windows - Mac OSX Cursors on Windows | TFTB.NET
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mouse Pointers - Change-macos.png  
    Mouse Pointers - Change Attached Files
    Last edited by vindows; 03 Mar 2009 at 08:49. Reason: added url
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Nice. Thank you Vindows.

    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
       #3

    Thanks A lot Vindows
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 620
    7264x64/7260x86
       #4

    Is there a way to get the cursor to fade out if your not using it?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Copernicus,

    You can have the pointer hide while typing through the Mouse properties in the Control Panel (All Items view).

    Mouse Pointers - Change-mouse_properties.jpg

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 620
    7264x64/7260x86
       #6

    Saw that option, but would that activate if I'm just on a browser would it?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    No, just when typing something. You will still have to move it out of the way otherwise.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 620
    7264x64/7260x86
       #8

    Sort of found a solution. I put in a touch screen on my laptop. Now the cursor("drop") fades away in two secs after hitting something. =)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Nice workaround I suppose. :)
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:25.
Find Us