Mouse acceleration in games: turn it off or not?

Windows turns on “Enhance pointer precision” by default — in effect, mouse acceleration. What it does, why many players turn it off and who is better off keeping it.

What it is

With acceleration the pointer travels a different distance depending on how fast you move: a quick flick sends it further than a slow movement of the same length. On the desktop that's handy — less hand movement. For aiming it's the opposite: the same movement of your hand gives a different result.

Why players turn it off

Without acceleration the pointer moves strictly in proportion to the mouse, so muscle memory works predictably. Many games read raw mouse input anyway, but in some games, in menus and on the desktop the Windows setting applies.

Who is better off keeping it

On a large monitor with low mouse sensitivity you'll have to move the mouse further without acceleration. If you don't play games where precision matters and you're comfortable as it is, there is nothing to change.

How to turn it off and back on

In Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse → Additional mouse settings → Pointer Options tab → clear “Enhance pointer precision”. In NyxBoost it's one setting with a preview: it changes three values under HKCU\Control Panel\Mouse, and undo puts the old ones back. To apply it everywhere, sign out and back in.

After turning it off give yourself a couple of days to get used to it: you'll probably want to adjust your in-game sensitivity a little.