microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys

Customizable cursor icon for Text Extractor

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Idea-Enhancement Needs-Triage Product-Text Extractor
Dominant language
C
Stars
139k
Forks
8.6k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

### Description of the new feature / enhancement

I would like to request an option to customize the cursor icon used when activating the Text Extractor tool. Currently, the module uses a fixed custom cursor that is difficult to see on certain backgrounds.

What is the expected behavior of the proposed feature?
The cursor used by Text Extractor should be customizable.

Ideally, users could select a custom cursor icon, or choose from several built‑in variants (high‑contrast, larger size, light/dark). The cursor should remain clearly visible on different backgrounds and respect accessibility needs.

### Scenario when this would be used?

This would be used whenever a user activates Text Extractor to select text on screen. Users with visual impairments or custom cursor themes often rely on consistent cursor visibility. A fixed, non‑customizable cursor can be hard to see on certain backgrounds.

Why is this important to your workflow as a power user?
A visible and customizable cursor improves accessibility and reduces selection errors.

### Supporting information

Improved cursor customization would significantly enhance usability and accessibility for a wide range of users.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by locating the Text Extractor implementation and the code that sets its activation cursor. Review how cursor assets and accessibility-related settings are handled elsewhere in PowerToys before choosing a supported customization approach. Done means the Text Extractor cursor can be customized or selected from defined visible variants and remains clear across backgrounds.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
accessibility, desktop
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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