How to open a .cur file (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Q: Why can't I open my .cur file?

Usually your computer lacks an app that understands CUR. Install one of the apps listed here, or convert the file to a more common format.

A .cur file is a Windows Cursor. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads CUR yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.

Open a .cur file step by step

Confirm the file really is a .cur. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
On Windows, open it with RealWorld Cursor Editor or GIMP.
On Mac, use GIMP or image editors with ICO support.
On Linux, try GIMP or ImageMagick.
Still stuck? Convert the .cur to png, which opens more widely.

Best apps to open .cur files

Windows

RealWorld Cursor Editor
GIMP
IrfanView

macOS

GIMP
image editors with ICO support

Linux

GIMP
ImageMagick

Before you open it: Safe. A .cur is a small image with a hotspot. It is drawn, not executed.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I open my .cur file?

Almost always because no installed app understands CUR. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.

How do I open a .cur file?

Use a cursor editor like RealWorld Cursor Editor, or open it as an image in GIMP or IrfanView.

What is the difference between CUR and ICO?

They share the same structure, but a CUR is a mouse cursor with a click hotspot, while an ICO is an application or file icon.