Visual Studio GUI mouse cursor flickering between pointer and resize

Question

In Visual Studio 2012 I have recently encountered a problem where if I use the GUI designer for adding/removing/modifying items from the toolbox on a form. The cursor flickers insanely between the resize and regular cursor whenever I select a combobox or textbox. I have not removed/added/edited the graphics card or drivers, I've not had any new hardware added or removed so I am not too sure what is happening or why this problem has surfaced itself.

Even the ComboBox tasks (small play button where you add or bind items) flickers insanely. Oddly enough this does not happen with buttons/radio buttons/checklists etc. It has only been happening with ComboBoxes and TextBoxes.

Laptop: Thinkpad T410 Win 7 64bit, intel i5 M 560 2.67GHz, 8gb Ram, Intel HD Graphics, Windows Experience Index rating 4.3.

Answer 1

I had similar issue, opening Visual Studio in primary display/screen has resolved everything. More details here:

After further testing I realize that the issue is only evident when I have VS open on a secondary monitor. When I have it open on my primary display I no longer experience the issue.

Answer 2

The link codeLearner provided showed me how to resolve the issue.

Try turning off per monitor awareness via unchecking Tools->Options->Environment->General->“Optimize rendering for screens…”

Answer 3

I have found a simple but great solution for this problem!
In Design View open context menu (with right click) and select Lock Controls. Of course this option will restrict some operations in Design View, BUT:

- It stops cursor flickering/flashing
- It stops object or UI freezing

This tricky solution worked for me, I hope for you too. :)

Answer 4

Removing Kaspersky Anti-virus resolved this issue for me. See

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/vstudio/en-US/e77b4334-7aa7-45ef-a540-83910f17ce9e/selecting-controls-in-vs2010-windows-forms-designer-and-textbox-menu-flickering?forum=visualstudiogeneral