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Where are mouse pointer/cursor themes stored, and can I copy them to another computer?

Anonymous
2010-03-20T10:14:45+00:00

I've got my own custom mouse and cursor theme, with a folder full of favourite pointers that I've used for several years. It's very time-consuming to copy it to each new computer I use and set up. 

Is it possible to copy these pointer themes and keep them with the folder of custom pointers, to save me time setting them up again?  Or are they kept individually in the registry?

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  1. @CmdrKeene 90,616 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2010-03-20T18:52:00+00:00

    You could try saving them as part of a themepack, but I don't believe the themes compress and store cursors internally the way they do with wallpapers.  Unfortunately the only way I know to do what you want is to export out of the registry, but that would only work if the new computer had the cursor files stored in the exact same path.


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21 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-04T16:27:12+00:00

    go to computer>windows>cursors

    thats where you will find the folder

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-26T13:35:16+00:00

    To recapture the original question the answer in a few words is that no folder exists that contains the various cursors that would constitute a theme. Each cursor is a .cur file that resides in the C:/Windows/Cursors folder. What I would suggest you do is to create a new folder within the /Cursors folder and name it whatever "theme" the cursors would make up. As an example I created a set of blue cursors that make up my "Blue Theme". I copied each cursor and pasted them into the "Blue Theme" folder. By doing this I accomplished what it is I believe you're wanting to do....have a central location for the cursors that constitute a theme with simpler portability. Here's a clip from the /Cursors folder: 

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-04-25T05:31:59+00:00

    ok, got the answer here.

    http://freewindowsvistatutorials.com/backupExportSaveCursorsSchemesMousePointersThemesInWindows7.php

    I have not yet tried it, but sharing as I find it, maybe someone can add on this information.

    it reads:

    --

    Backup or export a custom cursor scheme (mouse pointers theme) in Windows 7

    What happens to custom mouse pointer schemes (cursor themes) you saved? Windows 7 doesn't create a file that contains a scheme: instead, it saves them to the "Registry", a large database of settings and options you have saved over time. In this tutorial, we will explain how you can backup or export you cursor schemes (to use them on a new computer, or transfer and import these cursor schemes on another, to spare you from having to manually re-create a mouse pointer theme from scratch).

    --

    and then it elaborates method for doing the same. Run Regedit -

    --

    • Go to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER", then double-click on "Control Panel", and finally double-click on "Cursors". Then, click on "Schemes".
    • Windows 7 will load in the right pane all the custom mouse pointer schemes you have create on the computer you are using.
    • To export or backup all your cursor themes, right-click on "Schemes", and choose from the context menu:

    • Type a name for the file to which you are going to backup / export your cursor scheme, and click on the "Save" button. Windows will create that file in the folder you selected. You are done!

    --

    then, on a new installation, just double click on this saved .reg file and it will be integrated into the registry, or you can run regedit and do a import of this file.

    then, the theme is visible in the mouse window drop down box of themes and you can just select it.

    Of course, it only have the names of the cursor files for each pointer gesture, so you have to copy/ move actual 12 .cur or .ani files to the said location, that is Cursors folder.

    only if you MS Wise men have simple common sense to allow this to be done in the control panel - mouse - pointers window itself.

    Thanks.

    --

    Rawat

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-15T11:54:12+00:00

    So here it is 5 years later rand I've got the same question that from I could read was never really answered. Please let me expound about the initial question and ask mine.

    After clicking Mouse in the Control Panel the Mouse Properties window opens. There you can take any scheme and customize it with your own cursors. When done making the changes you want you then have the option of saving the changes you as a new scheme. So in this instance changes are made and after clicking Save As... you can name the scheme you created. Let's say you name the new scheme "Green Scheme". Question: Is a file created named Green Scheme and if so, where is it located?

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