Windows 7 and Windows 8 – Finding Your Mouse Pointer

Often, the standard mouse pointer is not very easy to see, fortunately there is a feature that can help you locate it whenever you lose it.
The standard mouse pointer is often hard to locate on the screen it is also easy to lose it as it moves across the screen.

Windows 8

• To open the Ease of Access Centre press ‘Windows’ logo key +‘U’
• On a touch-enabled device, swipe in from the right hand edge of the screen then tap ‘Search’ and enter Ease of Access in the search box.
• Tap ‘Settings’ then tap ‘Ease of Access Center’ from the search results.
• Using a mouse move the mouse pointer to the upper right hand corner of the screen, then move the pointer down to select ‘Search’ and enter Ease of Access in the search box.
• Tap ‘Settings’ then tap ‘Ease of Access Center’ from the search results.

Windows 7

• Ease of Access Center has replaced Accessibility Options in the ‘Control Panel’.
• Open Ease of Access Center press ‘Windows’ logo key +‘U’ or click Start button ‘Control Panel’ + ‘Ease of Access’ + ‘Ease of Access Center’.

Windows 7 and 8

Step 1

• Click or ‘Tab’ to select ‘Make the mouse easier to use’ and press ‘Enter’ to select, ‘Tab’ to or click to select ‘Mouse Settings’ under See also.
• This opens the ‘Mouse Properties’ window.
• Click to select the Pointers tab or ‘Tab’ and use the arrow keys. Here you can customise your mouse pointer to one you can easily see.
• Press ‘Alt’ + ‘S’ and use the arrow keys or click on the drop down list under Scheme to scroll through the options.
• Select the ‘Pointer Options’ tab.
• The Visibility settings allow you to improve the visibility of the mouse pointer on the screen. To turn on Display pointer trail press ‘Alt’ + ‘D’ or click to select, Fig 1.
• To hide the mouse pointer when typing turn on Hide pointer while typing, press ‘Alt’ + ‘H’ or click to select.
• Show location of pointer when I press the Ctrl key allows you to locate the mouse pointer by pressing the Ctrl key, click to select or press ‘Alt’ + ‘S’.

Fig 1

From the Desktop

• You can also make the mouse easier to find by right clicking anywhere on the desktop and select ‘Personalise’.
• Select ‘Change mouse pointers’.
• This opens the mouse properties window as described above.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies – contact your local IT support for further help.