Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about custom cursors and CSS web cursors.

What are custom cursors?

Custom cursors are image files that replace your default mouse pointer. They come in two formats:

  • .cur files – Static cursors (single image)
  • .ani files – Animated cursors (multiple frames)

How do I install a cursor on Windows?

There are two ways to use custom cursors on Windows:

Method 1: Quick Install (Single Cursor)

  1. Download the .cur or .ani file
  2. Right-click the file and select Install
  3. This opens Mouse Properties – select the cursor and click Apply

Method 2: Manual Install

  1. Download the cursor file
  2. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse → Additional mouse settings
  3. Go to the Pointers tab
  4. Select the pointer you want to change (e.g., "Normal Select")
  5. Click Browse and select your downloaded cursor
  6. Click Apply to save

How do I change back to the default Windows cursor?

If you want to restore your original Windows pointers at any time, you can easily do so:

  1. Open the Mouse Properties window (search for "Mouse settings" in the Start menu, then click Additional mouse settings).
  2. Go to the Pointers tab.
  3. Click the Use Default button at the bottom right.
  4. Click Apply, then click OK.

Why does my custom cursor reset to default after restarting my computer?

This is a common Windows issue that happens when you set a custom cursor from a temporary directory (like your Downloads folder). When Windows reboots, it tries to load the cursor before your user files or temp directory are accessible, causing it to reset to the default pointer.

To fix this permanently:

  1. Move your downloaded cursor files (.cur or .ani) to a permanent folder, preferably C:\Windows\Cursors (you will need administrator permissions to copy files here).
  2. Set the cursors from this location under the Pointers tab in Mouse Properties.
  3. Save your cursor settings as a custom scheme in Windows so you can easily reload them.

Can I use custom cursors on Mac?

macOS doesn't natively support .cur or .ani files. However, third-party apps like Mousecape can enable custom cursors on Mac. Note that macOS cursor customization is more limited and complex than Windows.

Can I use CSS or animated cursors on my website or blog?

Yes, you can easily use our cursors on your own website or blog using CSS. Every cursor page on Cursors-4U includes a Get HTML/CSS Code section with a ready-to-use stylesheet code snippet.

For standard web cursors, we recommend using .cur or static PNG files. Animated .ani files are not universally supported natively in CSS by all browsers, which is why we provide a pre-generated animated CSS option that works automatically.

How do I install a cursor on Neocities?

  1. Go to your Neocities Dashboard and click Edit Site.
  2. Open your style.css file (or create one if you don't have it).
  3. Copy the CSS code from the cursor's page and paste it at the top or bottom of your stylesheet.
  4. If using an animated cursor, copy the <link> stylesheet tag and paste it inside the <head> section of your index.html file.
  5. Click Save and refresh your page to see the new cursor.

How do I install a cursor on Tumblr?

  1. From your Tumblr dashboard, click Customize (the palette icon in the sidebar).
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the left sidebar and expand the Advanced settings.
  3. Find the Add Custom CSS text box and paste the CSS cursor code there.
  4. For animated cursors, click Edit HTML at the top of the customize panel, find the <head> tag, and paste the copied <link> stylesheet tag right above it.
  5. Click Save at the top of the customize panel.

How do I install a cursor on Blogger / Blogspot?

  1. Go to your Blogger Dashboard and click Theme in the left sidebar.
  2. Click the arrow next to Customize and select Edit HTML (or click Customize → Advanced → Add CSS).
  3. If editing HTML directly, find the <head> tag and paste the copied CSS code inside a <style> block, or paste the animated <link> stylesheet tag directly inside the <head>.
  4. Click the save icon (floppy disk) in the top right corner to apply the theme updates.

Are these cursors free to use?

Yes, all cursors on Cursors-4U are free to download and use for personal purposes. For commercial use, please check the specific license model listed on the cursor's page (such as CC0, CC BY, or Personal Use Only) and attribute the creator if required.

What is the Online Cursor Editor?

The Online Cursor Editor is a powerful, browser-based web application that allows you to create, edit, and animate your own cursors. You can paint pixel-by-pixel, design custom frames for animations, set the hot-spot coordinates, and test your cursor in real-time. It is completely free to use and requires no installation.

How do I submit my own cursors?

We love featuring community creations! To ensure high quality and correct metadata, all cursor submissions must go through our Online Cursor Editor.

To submit your cursors:

  1. Open the Online Cursor Editor.
  2. Create your cursor design, or import existing images (such as PNG, JPG, or SVG) or existing cursor files (CUR or ANI) that you want to share.
  3. Click the Submit button in the editor toolbar.
  4. Fill out the submission form, including the title, description, tags, and license type.

For full details on file types, metadata, licensing options, and daily upload limits, please read the Submitting Cursors Guide.

How long does it take for my cursor submission to be approved?

All submitted cursors go into our secure moderation queue. A site administrator reviews each submission manually to verify design quality, check licenses, and ensure tags and titles are appropriate. This process typically takes 24 to 72 hours. You will see your cursor live on the site once it has been approved.

How do I save cursors to my favorites?

Click the heart icon on any cursor to add it to your favorites. Your favorites are stored locally in your browser, so they'll persist across sessions. You can view all your saved cursors on the Your Favorites page.

What's the difference between cursor sizes?

Many cursors come in multiple sizes (32×32, 48×48, 64×64, etc.). Larger sizes look better on high-resolution displays but may feel oversized on smaller monitors. Windows will automatically use the most appropriate size from multi-size .cur files.

I found a bug or have a suggestion

We'd love to hear from you! Please use our Contact page to report issues or share ideas for improving the site.

How do I report a copyright issue?

If you believe a cursor infringes on your copyright, please visit our DMCA page for instructions on filing a takedown request.