Mouse settings

Mouse pointer

The size of the pointer can be altered in the Pointers tab of Mouse Properties, accessed through the Control Panel. There are two ways to change the pointers.

Cursor size

The pointer scheme (collection of settings) can change the shape and size of the pointer. Windows has various options for mouse schemes, including Windows Black, Windows Standard and Windows Inverted. These are all available with a set of large and extra large pointers. The pointers in Windows Inverted are transparent, and display everything that they pass over with inverted colours (i.e. black text on a white background is visible through the pointer as white text on a black background). Some of these schemes are already included in the High Contrast Options.

Cursor graphic

The second way of changing the pointers is to import your own pointer pictures, creating new schemes. Each type of pointer (normal pointer, hour glass, caret etc.) can be customised with a new graphic, and these graphics can be static or animated. We have some to download here (from ace centre). Any changes to the pointer are made in the Pointers section of Mouse Settings. Select the item you want to change, click Browse, and then select the alternative graphic you want to use.

Mouse speed

The speed of the mouse can also be altered, accessed through the Mouse Options section of Control Panel. This can be useful if you find that the mouse moves too fast for you to be able to control its use. Some roller balls have buttons to change the speed.

Cursor trail

The Mouse can also be set to leave a pointer trail:

This trail can help anyone who is having problems with locating the pointer on the screen, by making it much easier to see.