# Cursor question.. Big and small hourglass- what do they represent? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursor-question-big-and-small-hourglass-what-do-they-represent/454986 "2008-07-02T00:14:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursor-question-big-and-small-hourglass-what-do-they-represent/454986/1 "2008-07-02T00:14:11Z")
I am using XP Home and have noticed that I get two hourglass cursors to indicate that a process is occuring in the computer. I get a big hourglass that occaisionally switches to a small hourglass. Why are there two and what is the difference? Regards FML ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursor-question-big-and-small-hourglass-what-do-they-represent/454986/2 "2008-07-02T00:29:42Z")
Goto Start menu Control panel Mouse and open the mouse control panel. You will see what your current cursors are assigned to. You can change whatever you like. The current meaning for mine is this. Small hourglass = Working in background large hourglass = Busy ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursor-question-big-and-small-hourglass-what-do-they-represent/454986/3 "2008-07-02T00:47:38Z")
Thanks… I thought it was something like that FML