Finding your mouse pointer in Gnome
How to find your pointer on the screen.
Instructions
Gnome versions before 2.1:
- Click on the 'Applications' menu and then click on 'Preferences' or press 'Alt' + 'F1' and then use the 'down' arrow key to highlight 'Preferences'.
- Click on 'Mouse' or press the 'right' arrow to expand the preferences sub menu, then press the 'down' arrow until 'Mouse' is selected and then press 'Enter'.
- Click on the 'Cursors' tab or press the 'Tab' key until the 'Buttons' heading is highlighted and then use the 'right' arrow to go to the 'Cursors' options.
- Click the checkbox next to 'Highlight the pointer when you press Ctrl' under the 'Locate Pointer' heading or press 'Alt' + 'P ' as shown in Fig 1.
- Click the 'Close' button or Press 'Alt' + 'C' return to the Gnome desktop.
- You will need to log out for the changes to take effect. Next time you log-in an animated square will appear around the mouse pointer every time you press the 'Ctrl' key.

Fig 1
For Gnome versions 2.1 or newer
- Click on the 'System' menu and then click on 'Preferences' or press 'Alt' + 'F1' to access the application menu and then press the 'right' arrow until 'System' menu is highlighted and then press the 'down' arrow until 'Preferences' is highlighted.
- Click on 'Mouse' or press the 'right' arrow to expand the preferences sub menu, then press the 'down' arrow until 'Mouse' is selected and then press 'Enter'.
- Click on the 'Cursors' tab or press the 'Tab' key until the 'Buttons' heading is highlighted and then use the 'right arrow' to go to the 'Cursors' options.
- Click the checkbox next to 'Highlight the pointer when you press Ctrl' under the 'Locate Pointer' heading or press 'Alt' + 'P' as shown in Fig 1.
- Click the 'Close' button or press 'Alt' + 'C' to return to the Gnome desktop.
- You will need to log out for the changes to take effect. Next time you log-in an animated square will appear around the mouse pointer every time you press the 'Ctrl' key.
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.
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