Sep 29

How to Customize that Default Cursor

default cursor

Are you tired of the same old cursor? Do you want to have a unique cursor?

You can easily customize your cursor by following these steps. Remember to click on the thumbnails to see a full size image.

Step 1. Go to Start and click the Control Panel.
menu_control_panel1.jpg

Step 2. In the control Panel, click the Mouse icon.
menu_control_panel_mouse1.jpg

Step 3. Now click the Pointers tab.
menu_control_panel_mouse_pointers1.jpg

Step 4. Click the Browse button in the lower right hand corner.
menu_control_panel_mouse_browse1.jpg

Step 5. Highlight (one left click) a new cursor. For this tip, I used the barber poll (barber.ani)
menu_control_panel_mouse_browse_cursers_barber1.jpg

Step 6. Click the Open button.
menu_control_panel_mouse_browse_opne1.jpg

Step 7. The new cursor should now show in the Normal Select row. Click OK or Apply.
menu_control_panel_mouse_browse_ok1.jpg

Step 8. When the Replace Scheme window appears, click OK.
menu_control_panel_mouse_replace_scheme1.jpg

Keep in mind that this only customizes the normal or normal select cursor. If you want to change the whole cursor scheme, in the Mouse Properties window, Pointers tab, in the Scheme area, use the drop down menu to select a new scheme. This will change the all cursors, not just the normal cursor.

Play around with the cursors. Select and try different cursors and try the different schemes. You can always go back to the old cursor by selecting the default scheme.

Sep 26

How to find and add the Control Panel

You will need to go into your control panel at some time, whether to customize your settings, run a utility, or use one of the many other tools.

To open the Control Panel, you go to Start and click the Control Panel icon. But the Control Panel icon may not be in the Start menu. If the Control Panel icon is not there, it is easy to add.

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.

Step 2. On the Start Menu tab, make sure the first (non-classic) Start Menu option is selected and click Customize.

Step 3. Click the Advanced tab.

Step 4. In the Start Menu Items list under the Control Panel section, select either Display As Link or Display As Menu. The former (the default) simply displays a Control Panel option on the Start Menu; the latter displays the Control Panel option with a cascading menu providing direct access to each Control Panel applet.

Step 5. Click OK twice to exit the dialogs.