Scott Hanselman

Make the Windows Text Cursor (Caret) Wider

August 24, 2007 Comment on this post [4] Posted in Musings
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If you like your things large, mouse cursors or otherwise, like I do, you can make the Windows Caret (the little text flashy inserty thing) wider with this Registry Key on XP:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"CaretWidth"=dword:00000003

However, on Vista, hit the Start Menu and type "Ease" to get to the Ease of Access Center then click on "Make things on the screen easier to see" then (here's where it gets lamer) scroll-down.

Make the computer easier to see

You'll see "Set the thickness of the blinking cursor. That changes the Registry for you.

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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August 24, 2007 14:24
I remember doing that trick through the Accessibility settings, but of course, that is not even half-was as 'leet as doing it with a registry hack :)
August 24, 2007 19:20
I changes the value in the registry but I don't see any difference
August 25, 2007 1:31
Wow, for a set of "ease of access" screens the Vista dialogs are awful to use!

Look at the "Make the computer easier to see" dialog
You always see the Save, Cancel and Apply buttons, wherever you are on the scrollable area at the top

Then look at the "Make the mouse easier to use" dialog
Notice the difference? You have to scroll down to see the buttons!

Also, the mouse wheel scrolling doesn't work on the Ease Of Access Center, but does on the dialogs

Yuk! and so ironic!
August 26, 2007 6:41
I believe in XP you may have to restart your computer for registry changes to take effect.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.