Simple IT Tips & Tricks : How to Quickly Find Your Cursor on Your Laptop or Desktop Screen
Education Technology

Simple IT Tips & Tricks : How to Quickly Find Your Cursor on Your Laptop or Desktop Screen

National AmbassadorFebruary 23, 2026

Have you ever shaken your mouse in frustration, wondering where your cursor disappeared to?  Whether you’re working on a large desktop monitor, using multiple screens, or simply getting older eyes, losing sight of the mouse pointer is a common and surprisingly annoying problem.

Every major operating system offers simple built-in solutions to help you find your cursor instantly. Here’s a practical guide anyone can follow.

🖥️ On Windows PCs

If you’re using a Windows laptop or desktop, try these easy fixes:

1.   Use the “CTRL Key Locator” Trick

Windows has a hidden gem:

  • Go to Settings
  • Click Bluetooth & devices
  • Select Mouse
  • Choose Additional mouse settings
  • Open the Pointer Options tab
  • Check “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key”

Now, whenever you lose your cursor, simply press CTRL and a circle animation will highlight exactly where it is.

ALTERNATIVELY:   

  • Open Microsoft store
  • Search for Microsoft Power Toys
  • Install Microsoft Power Toys
  • Double tap your CTRL key to show location of pointer/cursor

 

2.   Make Your Cursor Bigger

If the pointer is too small:

  • Go to Settings
  • Select Accessibility
  • Click Mouse pointer and touch
  • Increase the pointer size or change its color
See also  Abia Govt Introduces Centralised Education Data System To Track Pupils, Shortlists 24,023 For Teachers’ CBT

A larger or high-contrast cursor is much easier to spot.

🍎 On Mac Computers

Apple makes it even simpler.

1. Shake to Enlarge

On any Mac running modern macOS:

  • Just shake your mouse or move your finger quickly on the trackpad.
  • The cursor instantly grows larger for a moment.

It’s one of the simplest and most effective built-in features.

2. Adjust Cursor Size Permanently

  • Open System Settings
  • Click Accessibility
  • Select Display
  • Adjust the Pointer size slider

🖥️ Working With Multiple Monitors?

Large screens and dual-monitor setups make cursor loss more common. Try these habits:

  • Move the mouse quickly side to side (works especially well on Macs).
  • Use darker desktop backgrounds so a white cursor stands out.
  • Avoid cluttered wallpapers.
  • Consider high-contrast cursor colors like black, yellow, or inverted.

🎯 Bonus Productivity Tips

  • Keep your screen clean. Glare and smudges make small objects harder to see.
  • Reduce screen resolution scaling if items look too small.
  • If you present often, enable pointer highlighting tools in presentation software.
  • Consider third-party cursor highlight apps for training sessions or teaching.
See also  Outdated Curricula Threaten Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness, Otti Warns

Importance Of The Above Practice

Losing your cursor may seem minor, but over time it interrupts workflow, increases frustration, and reduces efficiency. These small adjustments take less than two minutes to set up and can save countless moments of distraction.

Technology should work for you, not against you. Sometimes, the simplest IT tricks make the biggest difference.

Next time your cursor vanishes, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Check back for more Simple IT Tips & Tricks…
By Iheadindu Michael, IT Support

Latest News: