Introduction

This article is written to show how to work around a missing or white mouse cursor when using Virtual Computer Services (VCS) in full screen mode.

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Applicability

This Knowledge base article (KBA) is targeted towards users and support staff that are using or supporting systems that experience a missing or white mouse cursor when using VCS in full screen mode.

 

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Details

When using VCS in full screen mode, some users may encounter a missing or white mouse cursor. This issue usually noticed when using applications or websites that have a white background, and where the mouse cursor changes from the pointer to the text insertion cursor. If VCS is used in windowed mode, this behaviour does not occur. 

Contributing factors:

- Users are on systems that have AMD Radeon graphics, generally with relatively updated drivers. This issue is not present on devices with Intel or Nvidia graphics adapters.
- Users are using Windows 11 physical devices to connect into VCS (not 100% confirmed)

 

Workaround:

To workaround this issue, a registry entry needs to be made on the client computer that accesses VCS.

*Please exercise caution when editing the Windows Registry, as incorrect changes may prevent your system from booting, possibly resulting in data loss*

From the client computer (physical computer used to access VCS

1. Click on Start

2. Type in regedit

3. Open the Registry Editor

4. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm

5. Create a new 32bit Dword entry called OverlayTestMode, and give it a value of 5

6. Reboot the PC

This should prevent the mouse from disappearing or turning white on white backgrounds.

 

Keywords: VCS, cursor, missing, mouse