Mouse cursor is using old icon that cannot be changed

Question

Mouse cursor is using old icon that cannot be changed

bees05 70

My mouse cursor changed itself to the old one with a long "tail" and i cant change it to use the new one. Additionally some icons that are animated (like waiting) can be changed but the static ones (like normal or link) as stated above cannot.

I've tried restarting computer, changing icons to default ones but nothing has worked.

Gustavo Fernandez Rey 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:37:20.38+00:00

Hi! I’m having the same problem after installing the latest updates. These are exactly the same issues mentioned in the post: I can change other icons, but not the standard or link types. I haven't uninstalled the updates for now, but I hope they fix this asap.

Thanks!
yangqiuhao2013 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T07:01:11.7933333+00:00

Yes I have the same problem when I updated to 26200.9278, the mouse cursor changed itself to Windows XP's style with a longer tail, and I can't change it back in anyway.
Mario Mannara 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T13:31:18.0366667+00:00

Im also having the same issue after updating to the latest patch, the only fix for now its rolling back
Michel Cabrera 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T23:36:48.92+00:00

I'm having the same problem with customizing the mouse pointer... it won't let me change it.
F W 0 Reputation points

2026-08-30T10:05:09.8133333+00:00

Hi bees05,
For me its the same, i made my own cursors and every single one worked except the ''normal selection''

Answer accepted by question author and recommended by moderator

CrazyKats 18,650 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Johnson,

Apparently there have been reports that

the build you are currently on has cursor

and wallpaper issues.

Please report the issue in the Feedback

Hub using WIN+F. If you can't wait for

a fix, then you could uninstall the update

and Pause Updates until the next build

is released.

Johnson Valenzuela 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:53:28.46+00:00

thank you, i'll do that
이다빛 0 Reputation points

2026-08-29T00:33:08.41+00:00

I don't seem to be able to uninstall the KB5120998 update which seems to be causing the issue, is there no other potential fix?

Answer accepted by question author

Lychee-Ng 27,610 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi bees05,

I can understand how confusing it is when some cursor states suddenly change while the main static pointers remain stuck on the old style. Just wondering, do you recall any notable events shortly before this started, such as a Windows update, a new application, a customization, etc.? Either way, there's a few things that may narrow this down:

1 - Force Windows to rebuild the cursor scheme

Press Win + R > type control > press Enter.
Open Mouse > Pointers tab > under Scheme
Change to a different built-in scheme > Apply.
Switch back to Windows Default > Apply and OK.

2 - Check for corrupted (cursor) files

Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
After it completes, run: sfc /scannow > restart and test again.

3 - Test with a new user profile

Open Settings > Accounts > Other accounts > create a local Windows account.
Sign into that account and see whether the cursor still shows the old "tail" style.
If it works correctly there, the issue is likely limited to your user profile settings.

Just wondering, does the problem persist if you switch to another built-in Windows cursor scheme, or do the static pointers remain regardless? Since you're running an Insider build, there is also a possibility this is an Insider-specific regression. Please report it via Feedback Hub (press Win + F) to push for early investigation!

If you think the answer is helpful to you, please mark this as accepted. If you have extra questions about this answer, feel free to click "Add Comment" and ask!

Note: Follow the steps in our documentation if you want to enable and receive the related email notifications for this thread.

bees05 70 Reputation points

2026-08-26T16:27:33.06+00:00

I've done all of the things listed here and nothing fixed it. On the other account it had the same issue. I think just before I noticed it being wrong I've updated my system before going to sleep so I'm not 100% sure it happened because of this
Lychee-Ng 27,610 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-27T06:33:15.99+00:00
Thanks for the information. If this also happens to another account, it means this is something corrupted system-wide. Even if this might not be related to the update, it's worth checking still:

Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history:

Expand all sections to see if there's anything installed around when the issue first appears.

Also click Uninstall update > if the latest one is close to then, try Uninstall

Also report the behavior to the engineering team for investigation: press Win + F to open Feedback Hub.

In addition, you can also perform a Windows reinstallation to attempt fixing system corruption, if any. These will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up first:

Use built-in repair option

Open Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update

Click Reinstall now > follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall Windows.

Insider in-place upgrade: Using ISOs - Windows Insider Program | Microsoft Learn

Download your chosen ISO or create a bootable USB.

Mount the ISO > run setup.exe file to launch the install process.

Select Keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps option.

Check Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program
Johnson Valenzuela 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:17:42.9933333+00:00

I'm currently on the stable branch build 26100.9278 (no insider, received via Windows Update) and I'm experiencing the same issue. Changing the pointer theme isn't working, and the repair commands aren't doing anything either

4 additional answers

Your answer

Gustavo Fernandez Rey 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:37:20.38+00:00

Hi! I’m having the same problem after installing the latest updates. These are exactly the same issues mentioned in the post: I can change other icons, but not the standard or link types. I haven't uninstalled the updates for now, but I hope they fix this asap.

Thanks!
yangqiuhao2013 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T07:01:11.7933333+00:00

Yes I have the same problem when I updated to 26200.9278, the mouse cursor changed itself to Windows XP's style with a longer tail, and I can't change it back in anyway.
Mario Mannara 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T13:31:18.0366667+00:00

Im also having the same issue after updating to the latest patch, the only fix for now its rolling back
Michel Cabrera 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T23:36:48.92+00:00

I'm having the same problem with customizing the mouse pointer... it won't let me change it.
F W 0 Reputation points

2026-08-30T10:05:09.8133333+00:00

Hi bees05,
For me its the same, i made my own cursors and every single one worked except the ''normal selection''
Johnson Valenzuela 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:53:28.46+00:00

thank you, i'll do that
이다빛 0 Reputation points

2026-08-29T00:33:08.41+00:00

I don't seem to be able to uninstall the KB5120998 update which seems to be causing the issue, is there no other potential fix?
bees05 70 Reputation points

2026-08-26T16:27:33.06+00:00

I've done all of the things listed here and nothing fixed it. On the other account it had the same issue. I think just before I noticed it being wrong I've updated my system before going to sleep so I'm not 100% sure it happened because of this
Lychee-Ng 27,610 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-27T06:33:15.99+00:00

Thanks for the information. If this also happens to another account, it means this is something corrupted system-wide. Even if this might not be related to the update, it's worth checking still:

Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history:

Expand all sections to see if there's anything installed around when the issue first appears.

Also click Uninstall update > if the latest one is close to then, try Uninstall

Also report the behavior to the engineering team for investigation: press Win + F to open Feedback Hub.

In addition, you can also perform a Windows reinstallation to attempt fixing system corruption, if any. These will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up first:

Use built-in repair option

Open Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update

Click Reinstall now > follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall Windows.

Insider in-place upgrade: Using ISOs - Windows Insider Program | Microsoft Learn

Download your chosen ISO or create a bootable USB.

Mount the ISO > run setup.exe file to launch the install process.

Select Keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps option.

Check Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program
Johnson Valenzuela 5 Reputation points

2026-08-28T02:17:42.9933333+00:00

I'm currently on the stable branch build 26100.9278 (no insider, received via Windows Update) and I'm experiencing the same issue. Changing the pointer theme isn't working, and the repair commands aren't doing anything either

Answer 1

Known issue:

https://yourwindowsguide.com/2026/08/cursor-not-changing-after-installing-kb5120998.html

Fix for the KB5120998 cursor problem

At the moment, the most reliable workaround reported by affected users is to uninstall KB5120998. In a Microsoft Q&A thread, a user confirmed that after removing the update, their custom cursor immediately returned.

You can uninstall the update by going to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. After Windows restarts, select Troubleshoot > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall the latest quality update, then let Windows remove it. You can also temporarily turn off “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” to avoid reinstalling the preview update.

Answer 2

CrazyKats 18,650 Volunteer Moderator

To everyone,

Please file this issue in the Feedback Hub

using WIN+F. This way the engineers get

the diagnostics to investigate.

0 comments

Answer 3

miguel dominguez 0

My mouse changed color after I installed update KB5120998 yesterday, August 28, 2026. The .NET Framework Preview Update (KB5122385) was also installed; I don't know if that's related. I can't change the mouse color, but when I hover the cursor over it to type or resize a window, it changes back to its previous color.

(translated by Google Translate)

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