How to Enable or Disable Mouse Pointer Trails on Windows 11 or 10?

The mouse pointer or cursor is an essential component of any computer interface, allowing users to interact with their devices more efficiently. However, sometimes it can be challenging to locate and keep track of the cursor on the screen, especially if you have visual impairments. To address this issue, Windows 11 and 10 provide users with the option to enable mouse pointer trails. In this article, we will explain three different methods to enable or disable mouse pointer trails on Windows 11 or 10.

How to Enable or Disable Mouse Pointer Trails Using the Windows 11 Settings App?

The Settings app of Windows 11 is a convenient way to configure most system settings. You can use it to enable or disable mouse pointer trails. Here’s how to do it:-

Step 1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Settings” from the list to open the Settings app on Windows 11 machine.

Step 2. In the left sidebar of the Settings window, click on the “Bluetooth & devices” category.

Step 3. Next, click on the “Mouse” tab on the right pane.

Step 4. Under the “Related settings,” click on “Additional mouse settings.”

Step 5. When you’re done, the “Mouse Properties” window will open. Here, switch to the “Pointer Options” tab.

Step 6. Check or uncheck the “Display pointer trails” box to enable or disable mouse pointer trails.

Step 7. If you want, use the slider to adjust the length of mouse pointer trails.

Step 8. Click “Apply.”

Step 9. Click “OK.”

How to Turn On or Off Mouse Pointer Trails Using the Windows 10 Settings App?

To enable or disable mouse pointer trails through Windows 10 Settings, do these steps:-

Step 1. First, open Windows 10 Settings.

Step 2. Click on Devices.

Step 3. Select “Mouse” on the left sidebar.

Step 4. On the right, under “Related settings,” click on “Additional mouse settings.”

Step 5. When you’re done, the “Mouse Properties” window will appear. In the “Mouse Properties” window, switch to the “Pointer Options” tab.

Step 6. Check or uncheck the “Display pointer trails” box to enable or disable mouse pointer trails.

Step 7. You can also use the slider to adjust the length of mouse pointer trails.

Step 8. Click “Apply” and “OK.”

How to Turn On or Off Mouse Pointer Trails Using Control Panel?

Enabling or disabling mouse pointer trails using Control Panel is just an easy task. Here are the steps you need to follow:-

Step 1. First, open Control Panel.

Step 2. In the search box, type “Mouse.”

Step 3. When you’re done, the “Mouse Properties” window will appear. Here, switch to the “Pointer Options” tab.

Step 4. Check or uncheck the box “Display pointer trails” to enable or disable pointer trails.

Step 5. Click “Apply” followed by “OK.”

How to Enable or Disable Mouse Pointer Trails Using the Registry Editor?

It is also possible to enable or disable mouse pointer trails by modifying a registry file. To enable or disable mouse pointer trails via Registry Editor, use the following steps:-

Step 1. First, open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Once the Registry Editor window opens, navigate to the following path:-

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Mouse

Step 3. Double-click “MouseTrails” in the right pane.

Step 4. In the “Value data” field, enter any value between 2 (short) to 7 (long) to define the length of mouse pointer trails.

Step 5. Click “OK” and exit the Registry Editor.

Step 6. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

To disable mouse pointer trails, follow the same set of steps above and change the “Value data” for “MouseTrails” to 0. This will disable mouse pointer trails.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enabling or disabling mouse pointer trails is a straightforward process on both Windows 11 and 10. Mouse pointer trails can be helpful for users who have visual impairments or find it difficult to locate the cursor on the screen. Windows provides multiple methods to enable or disable this feature, including using the Settings app, Control Panel, and Registry Editor. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, users can easily turn on or off mouse pointer trails based on their preferences.

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