Where’s My Mouse???

By Dave Bruse, W4DTR (with a little help from ChatGPT)

Computer Tip: Make Your Mouse Pointer Easier to See

Many people don’t realize that Windows has built-in accessibility features that can make your computer easier to use. One of the most helpful options is the ability to increase the size and change the color of your mouse pointer so it’s easier to find on the screen.

If you’ve ever said “Where did my mouse go?”, this tip is for you!

Change the Mouse Pointer Size and Color (Windows 10 / Windows 11)

  1. Click the Start menu.
  2. Open Settings (the gear icon).
  3. Click Accessibility.
  4. Select Mouse pointer and touch.
  5. Under Mouse pointer style, choose a pointer color:
    • White
    • Black
    • Inverted (changes based on background)
    • Custom color (I use Yellow)
  6. Use the Size slider to make the pointer larger.

As you move the slider, the pointer will grow so you can pick a size that’s easy for you to see.

Helpful Tip: Highlight the Pointer

Windows can also show a circle around the mouse pointer when you press the Ctrl key, making it easy to locate.

To enable this:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click Bluetooth & Devices
  3. Select Mouse
  4. Click Additional mouse settings
  5. Choose the Pointer Options tab
  6. Check “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key.”

Now whenever you press Ctrl, Windows will briefly highlight the mouse pointer.

Why This Helps

Larger or colored mouse pointers can be helpful if you:

  • Use a large monitor
  • Have multiple screens
  • Have vision challenges
  • Simply want the cursor easier to find

Many experienced computer users enable these settings because they reduce eye strain and make navigation faster.

✔ GARS Computer Tip: If you often lose track of your mouse pointer, try a larger pointer with a bright color like yellow or red.