[Tip] Customize Mouse Cursor or Pointer Speed in Windows 10 and Older Versions

Whether we are working on a desktop PC or our laptop, we use the mouse cursor, trackpad or touchpad so many times to move the cursor and select items. Without the cursor or pointer, we can’t even imagine working on our computer system.

Did you know you can customize and adjust the cursor or pointer speed in Windows 10 or previous Windows versions? Yes, you can increase or decrease the default cursor speed and make it move slower or faster according to your requirements.

Recently an AskVG reader contacted me and asked me to write an article about the new option introduced in Windows 10 Settings app to change mouse cursor speed. Actually newer versions of Windows 10 come with a new option in the main Settings app to customize mouse cursor speed. It’s not a new feature. The same functionality was present since good ol’ Windows 98 days. At that time, we needed to launch classic Mouse Properties window from Control Panel to customize it.

Now in Windows 10, Microsoft has added the same functionality to modern Settings app. So if you are using Windows 10, you have 2 ways to adjust mouse cursor speed.

In this article, we’ll cover both methods old as well as new to customize mouse cursor or pointer speed. New method will work in Windows 10 operating system only but the old method will work in all Windows versions.

Let’s start the tutorial:

METHOD 1: Old Way to Customize Mouse Cursor Speed in All Windows Versions

Open Control Panel, change View by type to Large icons and click on Mouse icon. Alternatively, you can directly open Mouse Properties window by running main.cpl command using RUN dialog box or Start search box.

Now go to 3rd tab “Pointer Options“.

Bonus Tip: You can run control main.cpl,,2 command in RUN dialog box to directly open Mouse properties window activated in Pointer Options tab.

You’ll see “Motion” section at the top. Under this section, you can customize mouse pointer speed.

Move the slider towards Slow to make the pointer speed slower or move the slider towards Fast to make the pointer speed faster.

You can notice the changes immediately as Windows previews the changes live in mouse pointer speed so that the user can determine which speed is best suitable for him.

Once satisfied with the new pointer speed, apply the changes. That’s it.

METHOD 2: New Way to Customize Mouse Cursor Speed in Windows 10 Only

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu. Alternatively, you can press WIN+I keys together to open Settings directly.

2. Now click on “Devices” item present in Settings app.

3. Now click on Mouse section present in left-side pane.

PS: Alternatively, You can also directly launch Mouse Settings page using “ms-settings:mousetouchpad” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

4. In right-side pane, you’ll see “Cursor Speed” option.

You can move the slider given below the cursor speed option to increase or decrease cursor speed.

The default cursor speed is set to 10. You can customize it according to your requirements. The changes are instant.

Also Check:

[Tip] Change Mouse Pointer (Cursor) Color and Size in Windows 10

[Tip] Turn On and Customize Text Cursor Indicator in Windows 10