Microsoft has officially confirmed that a recent optional update for Windows 11 is altering and resetting custom mouse cursor configurations across affected systems. The issue, stemming from preview update KB5120998 released on August 27, 2026, leaves users unable to persist custom pointer sizes, colors, and schemes.
According to documentation published on the official Windows release health dashboard, the bug impacts systems running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. While the optional patch delivered highly requested interface enhancements, including taskbar position options and a resizable Start menu, it simultaneously introduced unexpected pointer behavior and visual rendering bugs.
windows 11 kb5120998 mouse settings reset
Microsoft acknowledged the issue after a surge of complaints appeared across social media platforms, Reddit, and the official Feedback Hub. The company updated its release health notes to detail how the windows 11 kb5120998 mouse settings reset bug disrupts standard desktop customization, stating that pointer personalization options are actively reverting to default operating system profiles upon installation.
Windows 11 Preview Update Causes Mouse Cursor Resets
The preview release KB5120998 advances Windows 11 version 24H2 to OS build 26100.9278 and version 25H2 to OS build 26200.9278. Shortly after installation, users began noticing immediate changes to their desktop interaction. Personalized mouse pointers automatically reverted to stock Windows styles, wiping out user-defined color themes, custom icon packages, and pointer trails.
Alongside pointer issues, several users discovered that their customized desktop wallpapers were unexpectedly replaced by solid black backgrounds. While Windows 11 update features in this release aimed to streamline navigation, the underlying rendering bug has compromised basic display preferences for many who installed the non-security preview.
Affected Cursor Customizations and DPI Bugs
The severity of the bug varies depending on hardware setups and display scaling options. Users running high DPI scaling configurations seem to be particularly affected, with custom high-resolution pointers being replaced by large, bright white standard pointers. Attempts to adjust pointer sizes or reapply custom scheme files through the accessibility and personalization menus fail to hold after a system reboot or sign-out.
In community discussions, affected PC owners reported that even standard Windows dark-mode cursors or custom pointer packs downloaded from third-party sources revert immediately to oversized legacy pointers. For users relying on distinct pointer visibility for accessibility purposes, the glitch creates a noticeable usability barrier.
Microsoft Acknowledges KB5120998 Bug
In its official advisory, Microsoft documented the precise symptoms identified during internal reviews and customer submissions. The company explained that mouse cursor personalization settings are being modified or restored to standard configurations automatically without user intervention.
"The issue is described as resulting in appearance regressions and intermittent animation changes," Microsoft noted on its release health site. "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."
Investigation and Future Patch Availability
Engineering teams at Microsoft are currently investigating the root cause of the regression to determine which subcomponent of the servicing package triggered the issue. Because KB5120998 is an optional preview release, often referred to as a "D" week release, the contained fixes and features are slated to be included in the upcoming mandatory Patch Tuesday update unless pulled for further refinement.
The company has not yet provided a specific timeline for an automated fix. However, Microsoft engineers are actively monitoring diagnostic data sent through the Windows Feedback Hub to isolate potential conflicts related to graphics drivers or accessibility settings.
Temporary Steps for Affected Users
Because attempts to change pointer settings back to custom values fail while KB5120998 remains installed, the primary workaround for affected systems is uninstalling the preview update. Users experiencing issues can navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Update History and choose to uninstall KB5120998. Upon restarting the system, custom pointer profiles and wallpaper preferences typically restore automatically.
Users who prefer not to uninstall the update can opt to wait for Microsoft to deploy a server-side Known Issue Rollback (KIR) or an out-of-band security patch. Since optional updates require manual confirmation unless automatic optional updates are toggled on, administrators recommend that users hold off on installing preview builds if desktop stability and custom configurations are essential.
As Microsoft continues its investigation into the KB5120998 regression, PC users running Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 are advised to delay optional updates until a permanent fix is delivered in an upcoming cumulative release.
