How to change cursor in Unity?

Solution 1:

This is a known bug in compiz see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/compiz/+bug/141500.

I found a workaround that works great for me on the bug page.

1. Create a file
2. Mark it as executable (Right Click > Properties > Permissions > Allow executing file as program)

3. Open in gedit and paste the following

   #!/bin/bash
   
   mkdir -p $HOME/.icons/default
   CURSOR_THEME=$(gconftool -g /desktop/gnome/peripherals/mouse/cursor_theme)
   echo "[Icon Theme]
   Inherits = $CURSOR_THEME" > $HOME/.icons/default/index.theme
   echo "Compiz will be restarted to enable this. Please stand by."
   compiz --replace &
   

Then Just run that file every time you change your mouse theme.

Solution 2:

Edit /usr/share/icons/default/index.theme to include the name of the new theme and restart compiz. You will also need to choose the icon theme in gnome-appearance-properties for each user, in order to get certain programs like firefox and gdm to behave.