diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/privacy/privacy_cursor_guard.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/privacy/privacy_cursor_guard.cpp
index feb387c0..4eecdd80 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/privacy/privacy_cursor_guard.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/privacy/privacy_cursor_guard.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <vector>
 
+#include "../screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h"
 #include "privacy_cursor_api.h"
 #include "rd_log.h"
 
@@ -105,6 +106,9 @@ bool PrivacyCursorGuard::Start(std::string& error) {
   process_ = child.hProcess;
   stop_event_ = stop.value;
   stop.value = nullptr;
+  // The helper may hide the pointer before signaling readiness. Track its
+  // entire lifetime, including startup failure and delayed restoration.
+  SharedDxgiCursorState().SetPrivacyCursorHidden(true);
   HANDLE startup_events[] = {ready.value, process_};
   const DWORD result = WaitForMultipleObjects(2, startup_events, FALSE, 2000);
   const DWORD ready_error =
@@ -127,6 +131,7 @@ bool PrivacyCursorGuard::RestoreAfterFailure(std::string& error) {
     return Failed("Restore system cursor after helper failure", error);
   }
   restore_pending_ = false;
+  SharedDxgiCursorState().SetPrivacyCursorHidden(false);
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -152,6 +157,7 @@ bool PrivacyCursorGuard::Stop(std::string& error) {
   CloseHandle(stop_event_);
   stop_event_ = nullptr;
   if (code != ERROR_SUCCESS) return RestoreAfterFailure(error);
+  SharedDxgiCursorState().SetPrivacyCursorHidden(false);
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h
index ad88b0ea..71bfa501 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef CROSSDESK_DXGI_CURSOR_STATE_H_
 #define CROSSDESK_DXGI_CURSOR_STATE_H_
 
-#include <atomic>
 #include <cstdint>
+#include <mutex>
 
 namespace crossdesk {
 
@@ -18,24 +18,42 @@ class DxgiCursorState {
     // PointerPosition is undefined on desktop-only updates. Retain the last
     // pointer state until DXGI actually reports another pointer update.
     if (last_mouse_update_time == 0) return;
-    embedded_monitor_.store(separate_pointer_visible ? nullptr : monitor,
-                            std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    if (privacy_cursor_hidden_) return;
+    embedded_monitor_ = separate_pointer_visible ? nullptr : monitor;
   }
 
   void Reset() {
-    embedded_monitor_.store(nullptr, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    embedded_monitor_ = nullptr;
+  }
+
+  void SetPrivacyCursorHidden(bool hidden) {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    if (privacy_cursor_hidden_ == hidden) return;
+    privacy_cursor_hidden_ = hidden;
+    // Pointer updates from before/during suppression cannot describe whether
+    // the restored cursor is embedded. Wait for a fresh DXGI pointer update.
+    embedded_monitor_ = nullptr;
   }
 
   bool ShouldDrawCursor(bool system_cursor_visible, void* cursor_monitor) const {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    // MagShowSystemCursor(FALSE) hides the local pointer plane without changing
+    // CURSOR_SHOWING. DXGI Visible=false then means hidden, not embedded in the
+    // captured frame. Keep sending the application's cursor to the controller.
+    // CURSOR_SHOWING still takes precedence when the application hides it.
+    if (privacy_cursor_hidden_) return system_cursor_visible;
     // A hidden cursor or a pointer on another monitor also makes DXGI report
     // Visible=false. Only suppress a visible cursor on the captured monitor.
     return system_cursor_visible &&
-           (!cursor_monitor ||
-            embedded_monitor_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed) != cursor_monitor);
+           (!cursor_monitor || embedded_monitor_ != cursor_monitor);
   }
 
  private:
-  std::atomic<void*> embedded_monitor_{nullptr};
+  mutable std::mutex mutex_;
+  void* embedded_monitor_ = nullptr;
+  bool privacy_cursor_hidden_ = false;
 };
 
 inline DxgiCursorState& SharedDxgiCursorState() {