Also: How to screen record in Windows 10 or Windows 11 Part of Microsoft’s free PowerToys, a program named simply Mouse utilities, offers four separate tools to help you track down your mouse pointer when it goes missing. One tool will shine a spotlight on the mouse pointer if you shake your mouse or press the Ctrl key a couple of items. Another tool highlights every mouse click you make. The third tool will help you move your mouse pointer long distances across the screen. And the fourth one draws crosshairs on the pointer, so you can easily see it. You can also tweak each tool, so they assist you without getting in your way. Also: How to turn on live captions in Windows 11 Here’s how this all works.
How to find your mouse pointer with the PowerToys Mouse utilities
Requirements
If you don’t already have PowerToys, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the program’s GitHub page. If you do already have it, make sure you’re running the latest version.
Mouse Highlighter
Next in the lineup is Mouse Highlighter, which displays a small, highlighted circle anywhere you left-click or right-click your mouse. To enable this, turn on the switch for Mouse Highlighter. By default, you press Windows Key + Shift + H to turn on the highlighter. To try the utility for Find My Mouse, turn on its switch. Choose how you want to activate Find My Mouse mode. Click the dropdown menu for Activation method. Keeping the default of Press Left Control twice means this is activated by double-pressing the Left Ctrl key on your keyboard. Changing to the option of Shake mouse means it’s activated if you just shake the mouse. If you opt for Shake mouse, you can then adjust the sensitivity by entering a specific number in the field for Shake minimum distance. Also: How to remap keys using Keyboard Manager in Microsoft’s PowerToys If you don’t want this mode to get triggered when you’re playing a game, check the box for Do not activate when Game Mode is on. Also: How to use the free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows To set up a different key combination, click the entry for Activation shortcut and press the shortcut keys you wish to use. Click Save. Click the setting for Appearance & behavior. Here, you can change the left-click and right-click colors, adjust the opacity, modify the radius of the highlight, and change the fade delay and duration. To try the highlighter, press the associated hotkey combination. Click the left mouse button and then the right button. You should see the small highlight circle appear for both types of clicks. Press the hotkey combination again to turn off the highlighter.
Mouse Jump
Mouse Jump displays a smaller version of your entire desktop, so that you can move your mouse cursor across the screen more quickly. This is of benefit with especially large screens. Turn on the switch for Mouse Jump and note the Activation shortcut. Position your mouse cursor at any corner of the screen and press the shortcut. Also: How much RAM does your Windows 11 PC need? A smaller version of your desktop then pops up. Simply move your mouse across this screen and click the area where you want the cursor to appear. The cursor jumps to the new spot, and the smaller desktop window goes away.
Mouse Pointer Crosshairs
And rounding up the list is Mouse Pointer Crosshairs, which draws crosshairs lines to pinpoint the mouse cursor. Turn on the switch for Mouse Pointer Crosshairs. Also: The best silent mouse Click the entry for Activation shortcut if you want to change the hotkey combination to enable this option. Open the menu for Appearance & behavior. You can now change the color of the crosshairs, adjust the opacity, increase or decrease the radius and thickness, and modify the border color and size. To see this one in action, press the defined hotkey combination. The crosshairs lines appear on the screen with your mouse pointer in the center. Press the hotkey combination to turn off the crosshairs.
