How to Add a Cursor Highlighter on Windows 10

For a colored circle that stays around the mouse pointer, use PenAttention’s mouse-highlighting controls. The maintainer’s download page currently lists several builds: its v10 notes specifically document mouse support, while the newer v12 description focuses on pen input. Choose a build that includes the “Highlight mouse as well as pen” option before following the steps below. Windows 10 also has a built-in Ctrl-key locator for finding a lost pointer, and Microsoft PowerToys can highlight clicks; those options do not keep a ring around the pointer continuously.

Set up a persistent cursor highlight with PenAttention

1. Download the mouse-capable build. Open the PenAttention project download page and select a Windows 8.1-or-later build whose notes or settings include mouse highlighting. The project’s v10 notes mention distinguishing mouse from pen input and supporting display scaling. Use the project site rather than a third-party download mirror. If you already have an older PenAttention or CursorAttention installation, follow the maintainer’s upgrade directions to close and uninstall the old copy first.

2. Install and launch the app. Run the downloaded installer and follow its prompts. The maintainer says the installer adds PenAttention to the Startup folder; if you do not restart Windows after installation, start the app manually. Once running, it appears in the notification area at the right end of the taskbar. Select the up-arrow if Windows has tucked the icon into the hidden-icons panel.
3. Open the highlight controls. Right-click the PenAttention tray icon and choose Highlight settings. If the icon is hard to identify, hover over the hidden tray icons to read their tooltips. Do not confuse the PenAttention settings window with Windows’ own pointer-size controls.

Choose the shape, color, and size

Select Circle for a halo around the pointer. Use the color control to choose a shade that contrasts with the apps and backgrounds you present. Adjust opacity so the highlight is easy to notice without hiding text beneath it, then increase or reduce the radius until the ring is visible but not distracting. If a ring is not useful for your task, choose Rectangle and adjust its dimensions instead.

Turn on Highlight mouse as well as pen to apply the effect to a standard mouse cursor. Then choose Apply Changes. Changing the color or size without enabling the mouse option can leave the pen highlight configured while the mouse remains unchanged.

Test it before presenting or recording

Move the mouse over a light window and a dark window. Check that the pointer remains centered in the circle, that the color is visible on both backgrounds, and that the size does not obscure buttons or text. If you plan to share your screen, take a test screenshot or short recording using the exact app and capture method you will use. Desktop overlays are not guaranteed to appear in every screenshot, remote desktop session, or recording workflow.

If the highlight is missing or misaligned

• No ring follows the mouse: Reopen Highlight settings and confirm Highlight mouse as well as pen is checked. Apply the change, then restart PenAttention.
• The app is not in the taskbar: Check the hidden-icons panel, or launch PenAttention from the Start menu if it is not running. Its installer may require a restart before the startup shortcut takes effect.
• The ring is offset on a scaled or multi-monitor desktop: Restart the app after connecting displays, and test with the pointer on each monitor. Older desktop utilities can handle display scaling differently; do not reduce your Windows scale setting unless testing confirms that it fixes the alignment. The project’s v10 notes say it added display-scaling support, so an offset is not proof that every setting above 100% is unsupported.
• The ring disappears from a recording: Make a brief test capture first. If your capture tool omits the overlay, use a presentation or recording tool with pointer effects, or choose a click highlighter that the tool captures correctly.

Built-in and Microsoft alternatives

For a quick, temporary locator, open Start > Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional mouse options. In Mouse Properties, select Pointer Options, check Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key, and select OK. Press Ctrl to display a brief locating ripple. It is useful when you lose the pointer, but it is not a continuous halo. You can also change pointer size and color or enable pointer trails under Settings > Ease of Access. See Microsoft’s Windows visibility and pointer guidance for the built-in options.

If you want a highlight when clicking rather than a ring that follows the pointer all the time, install Microsoft PowerToys. In Mouse Utilities, Mouse Highlighter displays visual indicators for primary and secondary clicks; its default toggle is Win + Shift + H, and the settings include Circle highlight and Ripple modes. Microsoft lists Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later and a 64-bit processor as minimum requirements. Read the Mouse Utilities documentation for current settings and shortcuts.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The PC still works, but Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update security fixes or technical support for standard Windows 10 installations. If you continue using Windows 10, get installers from the project maintainer or Microsoft and keep the operating system covered by an available support option. Microsoft explains the end-of-support status in its mouse settings and support page.