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Format

Microsoft Windows Cursor

Summary

Name
Microsoft Windows Cursor
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/385
  • MIME: image/x-win-bitmap
Format type
Image (Raster)
Description
Microsoft Windows Cursor file is a binary system file. CUR pointer images come in different standard sizes such as 16x16 and 32x32. They are a stationary image format similar to an ICO (icon) file. CUR files are found alongside the installation of Microsoft Windows and were first introduced in Microsofts Windows 1.0 operating system in 1981.
File extensions
cur
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives

Internal signatures

Microsoft Windows Cursor

Note
Header: (00000200) followed by number of images used in file. For purposes of this signature, range limited to 1-9. Header sequence followed by image directory, then sequence (000028000000{2}0000{2}00000100[01:20]0000000000). Microsoft Windows cursor file has been extended from the Icon file format (.ico)

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
0
Byte Sequence
00000200[01:09]00{3}00{1}00{1}00{3}00*000028000000{2}0000{2}00000100[01:20]0000000000
Endianness
None
Min Frag Length
Variable
Offset
None
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
000028000000{2}0000{2}00000100[01:20]0000000000
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V114

    Release date
    22 August 2023

    Microsoft Windows Cursor: Offsets removed from variable byte sequence and updated description. Submitted by Preservica.

  • Updated in V74

    Release date
    31 March 2014

    Microsoft Windows Cursor: Merged BOF and VAR sequences to avoid offset issue identified by Ross Spencer.

  • Added in V55

    Release date
    4 January 2012

    Microsoft Windows Cursor: Signature developed through PRONOM Research.

    Microsoft Windows Cursor: Outline entry added.