Finding your mouse pointer in Windows XP

Instructions

Open the ' Start ' menu by clicking on the ' Start ' button or by pressing the ' Windows ' logo key (located between the ' Ctrl'+ 'Alt ' keys on most keyboards) alternatively press ' Ctrl ' + ' Esc '.

Click on ' Control Panel ' or press the letter ' C ' on the keyboard.

If you see the text ' Pick a category ' (see Fig 1) as the main title on the page and under the 'Control Panel' title you can see ' Switch to Classic View ' you need to click the ' Switch to Classic View ' (you are currently in 'Category View') by clicking on the link or by pressing tab until the ' Switch to Classic View ' is selected and then press ' Enter ' .

 
Fig 1

In ' Classic View ' Double click on ' Mouse ' or press the ' M ' key repeatedly until ' Mouse ' is highlighted and then press ' Enter '.

The ' Mouse Properties ' page should be displayed (see Fig 2).

 
Fig 2

Click on the ' Pointer Options tab ' or press ' Ctrl ' + ' Tab ' until the ' Pointer Options ' tab is at the front.

Click the checkbox marked ' Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key' or press ' Alt ' + ' S ' on the keyboard which puts a tick in the box.

Click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' to confirm your choice and exit the mouse properties. Now when you can not find the mouse pointer, pressing ' Ctrl ' on the keyboard will give you a visual clue by surrounding the pointer with circles.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.