Latest Windows 11 Update Can Cause Mouse Cursor to Glitch
You might want to avoid a Windows 11 update released last week, as it can cause glitches with the mouse cursor and desktop wallpaper.
The KB5120998 update was released as a "preview" that focused on feature improvements, including the ability to re-position and move the Taskbar, a much-requested change. But some say the update is buggy.
"After I installed this update, my wallpaper turned black, now I have [a] very large mouse cursor that changes to normal at random," wrote one user on Reddit. Others said they'd encountered the same issue, prompting them to uninstall the update.
On Friday, Microsoft said it's investigating the problem, acknowledging "reports indicating that mouse cursor personalization settings are being changed or reverted to certain standard settings."
"The issue is described as resulting in appearance regressions and intermittent animation changes. Some reports mention that high-DPI mouse cursors are replaced with larger, white cursors, and custom cursor animations [revert] to standard settings. Attempts to restore the previous cursor customization are reported to be unsuccessful," the company added.
It's unclear if the problem is due to the Windows OS or some third-party software. For now, Microsoft says, "We will provide an update when more information is available." The update was released for users on Windows 11, version 25H2 and 24H2.
Still, the buggy release isn't a great sign for the operating system, which Microsoft has pledged to improve amid complaints it's become riddled with bloat and AI features. Over the years, there have been so many buggy Windows 11 updates that one user on Reddit remarked : "Just waiting for them to break [the] keyboard."
On Friday, Microsoft also reported another strange bug that can cause Windows 11 to mistakenly show that "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off," even though the antivirus continues to function normally.
"These notifications can appear when Windows starts and intermittently afterward. They persist even if notification settings are turned off," it says. The problem has been tied to PCs that have installed the latest August update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus . "We are working to release a resolution in a future Microsoft Defender Antivirus update and will provide more information when it is available," Microsoft says.
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