How Do I Change My Mouse Cursor on My Keyboard?

If you're looking to use your keyboard to control the movement and actions of your mouse pointer, effectively using the keyboard instead of a physical mouse, Windows provides a feature called Mouse Keys. This accessibility feature allows you to navigate, click, double-click, and drag using the numeric keypad on your keyboard. While the phrase "change my mouse cursor" can sometimes refer to altering its appearance (like size or color), the functionality directly related to keyboard control described in the provided reference is enabling this Mouse Keys feature.

Based on the information from the reference, here's how to enable Mouse Keys in Windows using your keyboard:

Using Your Keyboard to Control the Mouse Pointer (Mouse Keys)

To activate the Mouse Keys feature and begin controlling your mouse cursor with your keyboard, follow these steps:

1. Open Ease of Access Settings: Press the Windows key + U simultaneously on your keyboard. This shortcut directly opens the Ease of Access settings window.
2. Navigate to Mouse Settings: Use the arrow keys (Up and Down) or Tab to navigate through the options in the left-hand column. Scroll down until you find and select the Mouse option. Press Enter or Space to select it.
3. Enable Mouse Keys: On the right side of the Ease of Access settings window, you will see various mouse-related options. Look for the heading "Control your mouse with a keypad". Use the Tab key to move the focus to the toggle switch located under this heading. Press the Space key to click or tap the toggle switch and turn it On.

What Happens Next?

Once Mouse Keys is enabled, you can use the keys on your numeric keypad (NumPad) to move the mouse pointer and perform mouse actions. For example, the 8 key typically moves the pointer up, 2 moves it down, 4 moves left, and 6 moves right. The 5 key is commonly used to perform a single click.

This process utilizes your keyboard to enable the control of your mouse pointer, allowing you to interact with your computer using keyboard commands for pointer movement and clicks, without needing a traditional mouse.