When you’re running a Windows computer with a maxed out screen resolution and/or multiple monitors, the mouse can easily get lost in the chaos. When this happens, what most people do is scroll the mouse around until it catches their eye. If this is a common problem for you, there’s an easier way to find it. Windows has a built-in mouse feature that lets you easily find it by creating a large visible distress beacon around the lost pointer.

In either Windows 7 or 8, from the Start menu search for “mouse” and then open up the corresponding Mouse option. In Windows 7 it will be listed under Control panel, and in Windows 8 it will be listed under Settings.

In the Mouse Properties window that appears, open the Pointer Options tab and check the box labeled “Show location of pointer when I press CTRL key.” Click Apply and you can test it out. If you like it click OK to save changes and exit.

With this option enabled whenever you press the CTRL button on your keyboard, Windows will create a contracting circle around your mouse. It’s like a little distress beacon saying “I’m here!” The only downside is that this happens every time you press the CTRL key, so it can become annoying when your mouse isn’t missing.

Via Groovypost