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Numix Dark Cursor Installer for Windows — Open Source Tool

#csharp #dotnet #opensource #win

Manage Windows Cursor Schemes Effortlessly: Numix Cursor Theme Installer

A lightweight Windows utility to manage cursor schemes in a clean and reversible way.

The Numix Dark cursor theme comes from Linux environments, and bringing it to Windows usually requires manual file handling, registry tweaks, or outdated .inf scripts. This tool removes that friction by automating the entire process through a native C# application.

What this project is

This is a Windows-native desktop utility (v1.1) that automates the installation, switching, and removal of cursor schemes.

It is designed as a system-level helper for cursor customization, focusing on safety and reversibility. Unlike manual methods, it ensures the system remains in a consistent state even after uninstallation.

Key capabilities

  • One-click installation: Deploys 101 static (.cur) and 8 animated (.ani) Numix Dark cursors.
  • HiDPI Support: Assets are upscaled to 256x256 for crisp rendering on high-resolution displays.
  • Instant Application: Uses Windows-native mechanisms to apply changes immediately without requiring a reboot or logout.
  • Clean Reversibility: Fully restores default Windows cursors and removes all deployed files upon uninstallation.
  • Portable & Dependency-free: A single C# executable with no external requirements.

Why it exists

Cursor themes on Windows are often cumbersome to manage. The typical manual process involves:

  • Manual file copying to system directories.
  • Manual registry manipulation.
  • Unclear restore processes.
  • Risk of leaving the system in an inconsistent state.

This project makes the workflow predictable, fast, and safe to experiment with.

Technical overview

At a high level, the tool (written in C#) works by:

  • Deploying assets: Moving cursor files into the Windows cursor directory.
  • System API Integration: Updating configuration and forcing an immediate refresh using SystemParametersInfo.
  • UAC Handling: Automatically requests necessary administrator privileges via app.manifest.
  • Zero Background Footprint: No services or persistent processes remain active after execution.

Repository

https://github.com/KamalAraf/NumixCursorTheme-WindowsInstaller

Testing the project

From source

  1. Clone the repository.
  2. Open the project in Visual Studio or compile directly via CLI using the native Windows C# compiler (csc.exe).

Using release

  1. Download the latest release ZIP.
  2. Run NumixCursorsManager.exe as administrator.
  3. Select "Install Numix Dark" and click Apply.

Status & Feedback

This project is evolving, and feedback is highly welcome, especially regarding:

  • Windows 10 / 11 compatibility edge cases.
  • Installation and uninstall reliability.
  • UI/UX improvements.

If you try the tool, please feel free to report any bugs or usability friction on the GitHub repository. Thank you to anyone who tests or contributes!

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