Changing the Attributes of Mouse Cursor in Windows

 Last reviewed: November 22, 1994
Article ID: Q87462
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver for Windows, versions 8.1, 8.2, 9.0

SUMMARY

It is possible to change the size, color, and other attributes of the mouse cursor in Microsoft Windows version 3.1.

MORE INFORMATION

The software included with the Microsoft Mouse driver, versions 8.1, 8.2, and 9.0 provides a Windows Mouse Control Panel that allows you to customize the mouse in the following ways: 

   Cursor Size:  Small, Medium, or Large

   Cursor Color: White, Reverse, or Transparent

   Acceleration: Slow, Moderate, Fast, or Unaccelerated

   Sensitivity:  Adjusts how far the cursor moves per inch of mouse
                 movement

   Buttons:      Allows you to choose the primary and secondary buttons

   Double-Click: Allows you to adjust the double-click speed

   Grow:         Causes the mouse to enlarge when it is moved to improve
                 cursor visibility

   Mouse Trails: Shows a trail of mouse cursors when the mouse is moved
                 to improve cursor visibility

Installation of the Microsoft Mouse Software

  1. Start Windows.

  2. Insert the mouse Setup disk into drive A.

  3. From File menu in Windows Program Manager, choose Run.

  4. In the Command Line box, type "a:\setup" (without the quotation marks).

  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. There are options to set up the mouse for Windows and for MS-DOS. The software is installed by default in the C:\MOUSE directory.

    Note: If you are installing version 8.2 of the Mouse driver, don't let the Setup program restart your computer; it will hang. (This problem does not occur in version 9.0 of the Setup program.)

The Mouse Setup program installs a mouse group, which includes the Mouse Control Panel, into the Windows Program Manager (versions 3.0 and later). The Setup program also adds POINTER.EXE to the Load= line in the WIN.INI file.

In Windows 3.1, Setup also integrates the Mouse Control Panel into the Windows Control Panel. Both Mouse Control Panels function exactly the same. If you want, you can delete the mouse group from the Windows 3.1 Program Manager. You can then use the Mouse icon located in the Windows Control Panel to customize the mouse.

The Microsoft Mouse software is included with the Microsoft Mouse and Microsoft BallPoint Mouse. Information about obtaining updated mouse software is available at the Microsoft Sales Information Center (MSIC) by calling (800) 426-9400.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Mouse User's Guide" README.TXT from Microsoft Mouse software update version 8.20a

KBCategory: kbhw kbenv
KBSubcategory: win31 winboot
Additional reference words: 3.10 8.20 8.2 8.2a 8.1 9.00

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Last reviewed: November 22, 1994
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