Changing the default mouse cursor in the idle state doesn't work

Windows does not provide a native per-app idle cursor override, and if the normal static pointer stays on the old Windows 95-style image while other cursor states change, the practical fixes supported here are:

1. Rebuild the cursor scheme
   • Open Mouse Properties.
   • Go to the Pointers tab.
   • Change to a different built-in scheme and select Apply.
   • Change back to Windows Default and select Apply and OK.
2. If using custom cursor files, reselect them manually
   • In Mouse Properties > Pointers, select the affected pointer such as Normal Select.
   • Use Browse to reselect the cursor file.
   • Apply the change.
3. Test with another Windows theme
   • Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes.
   • Switch to a different theme, then try applying the cursor scheme again.
4. Check whether the issue is profile-specific
   • Create a temporary local Windows account.
   • Sign in and test whether the normal pointer still remains stuck on the old style.
   • If it works there, the problem is likely limited to the current user profile.
5. If this started after a Windows build update
   • There have been reports of cursor issues tied to specific builds.
   • Report the issue through Feedback Hub with Win + F.
   • If needed, uninstall the recent update and pause updates until a fixed build is available.

Windows also does not have a native setting to assign different custom cursors on an app-by-app basis, so the normal pointer behavior is generally controlled system-wide.

References:

• Cursor/pointer refuses to change on windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• Mouse cursor is using old icon that cannot be changed - Microsoft Q&A
• How to customize a different mouse cursor for each application? - Microsoft Q&A