Change mouse pointer size, color, and thickness in Windows

In recent versions of Windows 10 or 11, the computer user can easily customize the mouse pointer. Old versions of Windows 10 don’t include all options. You need a version numbered 1903 or higher. How to check this can be found in the article ‘Which Windows version do I have?’.

The mouse settings are in the Windows settings. You can find them here:

• Click the Start button.
• click on Institutions (gear icon).
• click on Accessibility.
• In Windows 10, click on the left Mousepointer. In Windows 11, click Mouse pointer and touch.

The pointer can be enlarged to make it more noticeable. Microsoft allows fifteen steps. Drag the slider to the right and the pointer immediately expands. Dragging is done in the following way:

• In Windows 10, under ‘Change pointer size’, click the blue button. In Windows 11, click on the blue button behind ‘Size’.
• Hold down the mouse button.
• Drag the blue button to the right until the desired size is reached.
• Release the mouse button.

For those who are less easy to tow, there is an alternative:

• Under ‘Change pointer size’ (Windows 10) or ‘Size’ (Windows 11), click the blue button with the mouse.
• On the keyboard, press the right arrow key.
• Do this until the desired size is reached.

Note: The pointer changes shape depending on the function. For example, when typing an e-mail message, you will not see a white arrow but a black vertical line with a horizontal line at the top and bottom. Whoever makes the pointer bigger also makes this line grow. Something to be aware of.

The color of the pointer can also be set to your own liking. Under “Change Pointer Color” (Windows 10) or “Mouse Pointer Style” (Windows 11) are all options. If you want, you can give the pointer a cool color.

• Under “Change Pointer Color” (Windows 10) or “Mouse Pointer Style” (Windows 11), click the fourth option.
• The option is framed in blue to indicate that it is selected. Seven colors have appeared among the options. Click on it and the pointer immediately takes on that color.
• Is your favorite color not listed? In Windows 10 then click on Choose a custom pointer color. In Windows 11, click Choose another color.
• Click on the desired color.
• click on Ready.

The pointer will be the color you selected.

You know it: where you type text in Word or in an email, a vertical dash flashes. That’s the text cursor. Make the line fuller if you normally find it too thin. That’s how it works.

• Click the Start button.
• click on Institutions. That’s the gear icon.
• click on Accessibility.
• click on text cursor.
• In Windows 10, under ‘Change text cursor thickness’, click the blue button. In Windows 11, click on the blue button behind ‘Text cursor thickness’.
• Hold down the mouse button.
• Drag the blue button to the right until the desired thickness is reached. An example of the thickness appears on the screen.
• Release the left mouse button.

Here too, the following applies: for those who are less able to tow, there is an alternative. This works in the same way as described under ‘Pointer size’.