How to Enable or Disable Pen Cursor in Windows 11
You can enable or disable the pen cursor in Windows 11 to improve your touchscreen experience when using a stylus.
The pen cursor is a visual indicator that appears on your screen when your stylus is near. Disabling it can prevent distraction for users who find it unnecessary or bothersome while writing or drawing.
This feature is particularly useful for Windows 11 devices with touchscreens, allowing you to customize the interaction for better precision. You can manage this setting through the Pen & Windows Ink settings menu.
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Pen & Windows Ink. Expand Additional pen settings and check or uncheck the box next to Show cursor to enable or disable it. This setting controls the visual indicator that appears when your stylus is near the screen.
Option One
Enable or Disable Show Pen Cursor in Settings
- Open Settings by pressing
Win+I. - Click on Bluetooth & devices on the left side. Then click on Pen & Windows Ink on the right side. (see screenshot below)
Open Pen & Windows Ink settings
- Click on Additional pen settings to expand it.
- Check the box (to turn on ) or uncheck the box (to turn off ) next to Show cursor. What happens? The pen cursor will appear or disappear when you use your pen.
- You can now close Settings.
Option Two
Enable or Disable Show Pen Cursor Using Registry
⚠️ Admin privileges required
Open the Windows Terminal app and run one of the commands below based on what you want:
Turn On “Show visual effects” and Turn On “Show cursor” when using Pen
This is the default setting.
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors" /v PenVisualization /t REG_DWORD /d 35 /f
Turn Off “Show visual effects” and Turn Off “Show cursor” when using Pen
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors" /v PenVisualization /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Turn Off “Show visual effects” and Turn On “Show cursor” when using Pen
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors" /v PenVisualization /t REG_DWORD /d 32 /f
Turn On “Show visual effects” and Turn Off “Show cursor” when using Pen
reg add “🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Cursors” /v PenVisualization /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
Summary
You now know two ways to control the pen cursor in Windows 11. The easiest way is through Settings. The second way uses the Windows Terminal and registry commands. Choose whichever method is easiest for you. Either way, you can now decide whether to show or hide the pen cursor when using your stylus.
How do I change the pen cursor in Windows?
Up select the mouse item. And now you want to go ahead and select the pointers tab. Select where it says browse. And now at this point you can select from a variety of different mouse pointers.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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