diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
index fe2843a9..c4900301 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/application/gui_application.cpp
@@ -1584,6 +1584,10 @@ void GuiApplication::BindStreamCallbacks() {
       return;
     }
     props->selected_display_ = index;
+    {
+      std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
+      props->cursor_presentation_ = {};
+    }
     RemoteAction action{};
     action.type = ControlType::display_id;
     action.d = index;
@@ -1883,9 +1887,20 @@ void GuiApplication::ShareLocalCursorState() {
   }
 
   CursorState sampled{};
-  if (!cursor_state_provider_.Sample(devices_.display_info_list(),
-                                     selected_display_, &sampled)) {
-    return;
+  const bool sample_ok = cursor_state_provider_.Sample(
+      devices_.display_info_list(), selected_display_, &sampled);
+  if (!sample_ok) {
+    sampled.render_mode = CursorRenderMode::unknown;
+    if (sampled.hidden_reason == CursorHiddenReason::unspecified) {
+      sampled.hidden_reason = CursorHiddenReason::sampling_failed;
+    }
+  } else if (sampled.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::legacy) {
+    // Providers without platform-specific presentation metadata only need to
+    // sample visible/shape; normalize that common case once for every peer.
+    sampled.render_mode = sampled.visible ? CursorRenderMode::separate
+                                          : CursorRenderMode::hidden;
+    sampled.hidden_reason = sampled.visible ? CursorHiddenReason::unspecified
+                                            : CursorHiddenReason::system_hidden;
   }
 
   const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
@@ -1924,21 +1939,23 @@ void GuiApplication::ShareLocalCursorState() {
 
     const CursorState& previous = delivery.last_sent;
     const bool shape_changed =
-        !delivery.has_sent || sampled.visible != previous.visible ||
-        sampled.shape != previous.shape ||
-        std::abs(sampled.visual_offset_x - previous.visual_offset_x) >
-            kCursorPositionEpsilon ||
-        std::abs(sampled.visual_offset_y - previous.visual_offset_y) >
-            kCursorPositionEpsilon;
+        !delivery.has_sent || sampled.render_mode != previous.render_mode ||
+        sampled.hidden_reason != previous.hidden_reason ||
+        (sample_ok &&
+         (sampled.visible != previous.visible || sampled.shape != previous.shape ||
+          std::abs(sampled.visual_offset_x - previous.visual_offset_x) >
+              kCursorPositionEpsilon ||
+          std::abs(sampled.visual_offset_y - previous.visual_offset_y) >
+              kCursorPositionEpsilon));
     // Preserve sub-point cursor motion. At 10x client zoom, the old roughly
     // one-logical-pixel threshold became several visible phone points.
     const bool position_changed =
-        !delivery.has_sent ||
-        sampled.position_valid != previous.position_valid ||
-        sampled.display_id != previous.display_id ||
-        (sampled.position_valid && previous.position_valid &&
-         (std::abs(sampled.x - previous.x) > kCursorPositionEpsilon ||
-          std::abs(sampled.y - previous.y) > kCursorPositionEpsilon));
+        sample_ok &&
+        (!delivery.has_sent || sampled.position_valid != previous.position_valid ||
+         sampled.display_id != previous.display_id ||
+         (sampled.position_valid && previous.position_valid &&
+          (std::abs(sampled.x - previous.x) > kCursorPositionEpsilon ||
+           std::abs(sampled.y - previous.y) > kCursorPositionEpsilon)));
     const bool position_update_due =
         position_changed &&
         (delivery.last_sent_time.time_since_epoch().count() == 0 ||
@@ -1946,16 +1963,12 @@ void GuiApplication::ShareLocalCursorState() {
     const bool heartbeat_due =
         delivery.last_sent_time.time_since_epoch().count() == 0 ||
         now - delivery.last_sent_time >= kCursorStateHeartbeatInterval;
-    if (suppress_position) {
-      // Cursor appearance is independent of cursor position. Continue sending
-      // shape changes to every controller while withholding only the sampled
-      // position from the connection that originated recent input.
-      if (shape_changed || heartbeat_due) {
-        recipients.push_back({remote_id, false});
-      }
-    } else if (delivery.feedback_pending || shape_changed ||
-               position_update_due || heartbeat_due) {
-      recipients.push_back({remote_id, true});
+    // Position feedback waits for a good sample and the echo-suppression
+    // interval. Appearance changes and heartbeats are independent of both.
+    const bool include_position = sample_ok && !suppress_position;
+    if (shape_changed || heartbeat_due ||
+        (include_position && (delivery.feedback_pending || position_update_due))) {
+      recipients.push_back({remote_id, include_position});
     }
   }
   if (recipients.empty()) return;
@@ -1964,6 +1977,18 @@ void GuiApplication::ShareLocalCursorState() {
   for (const auto& recipient : recipients) {
     auto& delivery = cursor_delivery_states_[recipient.remote_id];
     CursorState outgoing = sampled;
+    if (!sample_ok) {
+      // Explicitly report unknown to new receivers, but retain the last
+      // presentation for peers that only understand visible/shape.
+      outgoing = delivery.has_sent ? delivery.last_sent : CursorState{};
+      if (!delivery.has_sent) {
+        outgoing.visible = true;
+        outgoing.shape = RemoteCursorShape::default_cursor;
+      }
+      outgoing.seq = sampled.seq;
+      outgoing.render_mode = sampled.render_mode;
+      outgoing.hidden_reason = sampled.hidden_reason;
+    }
     outgoing.position_update = recipient.include_position;
     if (!recipient.include_position) {
       // Keep legacy receivers at their last acknowledged position as well.
@@ -1991,6 +2016,13 @@ void GuiApplication::ShareLocalCursorState() {
       continue;
     }
 
+    if (!delivery.has_sent ||
+        delivery.last_sent.render_mode != outgoing.render_mode ||
+        delivery.last_sent.hidden_reason != outgoing.hidden_reason) {
+      LOG_INFO("Send cursor presentation to [{}]: mode={}, reason={}",
+               recipient.remote_id, static_cast<int>(outgoing.render_mode),
+               static_cast<int>(outgoing.hidden_reason));
+    }
     delivery.last_sent = outgoing;
     delivery.has_sent = true;
     if (recipient.include_position) {
@@ -2582,9 +2614,7 @@ void GuiApplication::SyncStreamWindow() {
         props->remote_cursor_state_received_;
     if (remote_cursor_active) {
       remote_cursor_shape = static_cast<int>(
-          props->remote_cursor_state_.visible
-              ? props->remote_cursor_state_.shape
-              : RemoteCursorShape::none);
+          props->cursor_presentation_.Resolve(SDL_GetTicks()));
     }
   }
   (*ui_->stream)->set_remote_cursor_active(remote_cursor_active);
@@ -3267,6 +3297,10 @@ void GuiApplication::SendPointerInput(int button, int kind, float x, float y) {
 
   controlled_remote_id_ = props->remote_id_;
   const std::string message = action.to_json();
+  {
+    std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
+    props->cursor_presentation_.NoteInput(SDL_GetTicks());
+  }
   SendDataFrame(props->peer_, message.c_str(), message.size(),
                 props->mouse_label_.c_str());
 }
@@ -3305,6 +3339,10 @@ void GuiApplication::SendScrollInput(float delta_x, float delta_y, float x,
   if (action.m.s == 0) {
     return;
   }
+  {
+    std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
+    props->cursor_presentation_.NoteInput(SDL_GetTicks());
+  }
   controlled_remote_id_ = props->remote_id_;
   const std::string message = action.to_json();
   SendDataFrame(props->peer_, message.c_str(), message.size(),
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/connection_runtime.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/connection_runtime.cpp
index 63cb8385..15ed0f47 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/connection_runtime.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/connection_runtime.cpp
@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ void GuiRuntime::ResetRemoteSessionResources(
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
     props->remote_cursor_state_ = {};
     props->remote_cursor_state_received_ = false;
+    props->cursor_presentation_ = {};
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0f37df2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_presentation.h
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-16
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef _CURSOR_PRESENTATION_H_
+#define _CURSOR_PRESENTATION_H_
+
+#include <remote_action.h>
+
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <optional>
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// All times use one monotonic millisecond clock. The owning session's cursor
+// mutex protects this policy from the transport and UI threads.
+class CursorPresentation {
+ public:
+  static constexpr uint64_t kStateTimeoutMs = 1500;  // Three 500ms heartbeats.
+  static constexpr uint64_t kInputActivityMs = 1500;
+
+  void Observe(const CursorState& state, uint64_t now) {
+    if (state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::unknown) {
+      // Repeated unavailable samples must not extend the recovery deadline.
+      if (!sample_unavailable_) stale_at_ = now + kStateTimeoutMs;
+      sample_unavailable_ = true;
+      return;
+    }
+    sample_unavailable_ = false;
+    stale_at_ = now + kStateTimeoutMs;
+    const bool separate =
+        state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::separate ||
+        (state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::legacy && state.visible);
+    // Old senders cannot distinguish embedded from hidden. Only explicit
+    // metadata from a new sender can establish the no-device compatibility
+    // case.
+    no_device_ = state.render_mode == CursorRenderMode::hidden &&
+                 state.hidden_reason == CursorHiddenReason::no_pointing_device;
+    held_shape_ = separate ? state.shape : RemoteCursorShape::none;
+    if (held_shape_ != RemoteCursorShape::none) {
+      last_visible_shape_ = held_shape_;
+    }
+    if (!no_device_) fallback_engaged_ = false;
+  }
+
+  void NoteInput(uint64_t now) { last_input_ = now; }
+
+  RemoteCursorShape Resolve(uint64_t now) {
+    if (!stale_at_) return RemoteCursorShape::default_cursor;
+
+    const bool recent_input =
+        last_input_ && now - *last_input_ < kInputActivityMs;
+    const bool can_recover =
+        now >= *stale_at_ || (!sample_unavailable_ && no_device_);
+    if (can_recover && recent_input) {
+      fallback_engaged_ = true;
+    }
+    // Once needed, retain the locator while idle until a good non-compatibility
+    // sample arrives. Otherwise it would blink off whenever input pauses.
+    return fallback_engaged_ ? last_visible_shape_ : held_shape_;
+  }
+
+ private:
+  bool sample_unavailable_ = false;
+  bool no_device_ = false;
+  bool fallback_engaged_ = false;
+  std::optional<uint64_t> stale_at_;
+  std::optional<uint64_t> last_input_;
+  RemoteCursorShape held_shape_ = RemoteCursorShape::default_cursor;
+  RemoteCursorShape last_visible_shape_ = RemoteCursorShape::default_cursor;
+};
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_state_provider.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_state_provider.cpp
index e2508acb..1199b8f7 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_state_provider.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/cursor_state_provider.cpp
@@ -6,14 +6,16 @@
 
 #include <windows.h>
 
-#include "platform/windows/input/windows_cursor_shape.h"
+#include "platform/windows/input/windows_cursor_state.h"
 #include "platform/windows/screen_capturer/dxgi_cursor_state.h"
 #include "platform/windows/screen_capturer/secure_desktop_cursor_state.h"
 #include "runtime/cursor_position.h"
 
 namespace crossdesk {
 
-struct CursorStateProvider::Impl {};
+struct CursorStateProvider::Impl {
+  WindowsCursorState cursor;
+};
 
 CursorStateProvider::CursorStateProvider() : impl_(std::make_unique<Impl>()) {}
 CursorStateProvider::~CursorStateProvider() = default;
@@ -24,11 +26,17 @@ bool CursorStateProvider::Sample(const std::vector<DisplayInfo>& displays,
 
   SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot secure_cursor{};
   if (SharedSecureDesktopCursorState().Get(&secure_cursor)) {
-    if (!secure_cursor.valid) return false;
+    if (!secure_cursor.valid) {
+      state->hidden_reason = CursorHiddenReason::secure_desktop_pending;
+      return false;
+    }
     state->seq = 0;
     NormalizeCursorPosition(secure_cursor.x, secure_cursor.y, displays,
                             preferred_display, state);
     state->visible = secure_cursor.visible != 0;
+    state->render_mode = static_cast<CursorRenderMode>(secure_cursor.render_mode);
+    state->hidden_reason =
+        static_cast<CursorHiddenReason>(secure_cursor.hidden_reason);
     state->shape = state->visible
                        ? static_cast<RemoteCursorShape>(secure_cursor.shape)
                        : RemoteCursorShape::none;
@@ -45,10 +53,9 @@ bool CursorStateProvider::Sample(const std::vector<DisplayInfo>& displays,
   void* cursor_monitor = state->position_valid
                              ? displays[state->display_id].handle
                              : nullptr;
-  state->visible = SharedDxgiCursorState().ShouldDrawCursor(
-      (info.flags & CURSOR_SHOWING) != 0, cursor_monitor);
-  state->shape = state->visible ? ShapeFromWindowsCursor(info.hCursor)
-                                : RemoteCursorShape::none;
+  const bool embedded = (info.flags & CURSOR_SHOWING) != 0 &&
+      !SharedDxgiCursorState().ShouldDrawCursor(true, cursor_monitor);
+  impl_->cursor.Sample(info, embedded, state);
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_data_callbacks.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_data_callbacks.cpp
index ec0e1a25..c6b79295 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_data_callbacks.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_data_callbacks.cpp
@@ -234,7 +234,11 @@ void PeerEventHandler::OnReceiveDataBuffer(
       const bool changed =
           !props->remote_cursor_state_received_ ||
           props->remote_cursor_state_.visible != remote_action.cs.visible ||
-          props->remote_cursor_state_.shape != remote_action.cs.shape;
+          props->remote_cursor_state_.shape != remote_action.cs.shape ||
+          props->remote_cursor_state_.render_mode !=
+              remote_action.cs.render_mode ||
+          props->remote_cursor_state_.hidden_reason !=
+              remote_action.cs.hidden_reason;
       CursorState merged = remote_action.cs;
       if (!remote_action.cs.position_update &&
           props->remote_cursor_state_received_) {
@@ -245,10 +249,14 @@ void PeerEventHandler::OnReceiveDataBuffer(
       }
       props->remote_cursor_state_ = merged;
       props->remote_cursor_state_received_ = true;
+      props->cursor_presentation_.Observe(merged, SDL_GetTicks());
       if (changed) {
-        LOG_INFO("Received cursor state: seq={}, visible={}, shape={}",
+        LOG_INFO("Received cursor state: seq={}, visible={}, shape={}, "
+                 "mode={}, reason={}",
                  remote_action.cs.seq, remote_action.cs.visible,
-                 static_cast<int>(remote_action.cs.shape));
+                 static_cast<int>(remote_action.cs.shape),
+                 static_cast<int>(remote_action.cs.render_mode),
+                 static_cast<int>(remote_action.cs.hidden_reason));
       }
     }
     return;
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_event_handler.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_event_handler.cpp
index ad8cb791..6432af51 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_event_handler.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/peer_event_handler.cpp
@@ -262,6 +262,7 @@ void PeerEventHandler::OnConnectionStatus(ConnectionStatus status,
           std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
           props->remote_cursor_state_ = {};
           props->remote_cursor_state_received_ = false;
+          props->cursor_presentation_ = {};
         }
         {
           RemoteAction remote_action{};
@@ -331,6 +332,7 @@ void PeerEventHandler::OnConnectionStatus(ConnectionStatus status,
           std::lock_guard lock(props->remote_cursor_state_mutex_);
           props->remote_cursor_state_ = {};
           props->remote_cursor_state_received_ = false;
+          props->cursor_presentation_ = {};
         }
 
         std::shared_ptr<std::vector<unsigned char>> native_snapshot;
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/remote_session.h b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/remote_session.h
index 4e33e891..bb7d13f3 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/remote_session.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/gui/runtime/remote_session.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include <remote_action.h>
 #include <stream_names.h>
 #include "display_info.h"
+#include "cursor_presentation.h"
 #include "minirtc.h"
 
 namespace crossdesk { class PeerEventHandler; }
@@ -173,6 +174,7 @@ struct RemoteSession {
   std::mutex remote_cursor_state_mutex_;
   CursorState remote_cursor_state_{};
   bool remote_cursor_state_received_ = false;
+  CursorPresentation cursor_presentation_;
   // Shared by minirtc callbacks, Slint rendering and SDL audio callbacks.
   std::atomic<ConnectionStatus> connection_status_ = ConnectionStatus::Closed;
   TraversalMode traversal_mode_ = TraversalMode::UnknownMode;
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/input/windows_cursor_state.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/input/windows_cursor_state.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7ace2638
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/input/windows_cursor_state.h
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-16
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef _WINDOWS_CURSOR_STATE_H_
+#define _WINDOWS_CURSOR_STATE_H_
+
+#include <remote_action.h>
+#include <windows.h>
+
+#include <chrono>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "windows_cursor_shape.h"
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// Used by both ordinary and secure-desktop capture. Device absence is only a
+// compatibility hint: a hidden cursor with a null handle, or touch/pen
+// suppression, must retain the application's normal hiding behavior.
+class WindowsCursorState {
+ public:
+  void Sample(const CURSORINFO& info, bool embedded, CursorState* state) {
+    const bool showing = (info.flags & CURSOR_SHOWING) != 0;
+    state->render_mode = showing ? (embedded ? CursorRenderMode::embedded
+                                             : CursorRenderMode::separate)
+                                 : CursorRenderMode::hidden;
+    state->visible = state->render_mode == CursorRenderMode::separate;
+    state->shape = state->visible ? ShapeFromWindowsCursor(info.hCursor)
+                                  : RemoteCursorShape::none;
+    state->hidden_reason = CursorHiddenReason::unspecified;
+    if (!showing) {
+      state->hidden_reason = (info.flags & CURSOR_SUPPRESSED)
+                                 ? CursorHiddenReason::system_suppressed
+                             : info.hCursor && NoPointingDevice()
+                                 ? CursorHiddenReason::no_pointing_device
+                                 : CursorHiddenReason::system_hidden;
+    }
+  }
+
+ private:
+  // Query only for potentially recoverable hidden cursors, at most once per
+  // second. Require two successful absent observations. Query failures, RDP
+  // (whose devices may be absent from Raw Input), and present mice all disallow
+  // fallback and break the sequence of absent observations.
+  bool NoPointingDevice() {
+    const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+    if (now < next_device_check_) return absence_confirmed_;
+    next_device_check_ = now + std::chrono::seconds(1);
+    const bool absent = DetectDeviceAbsence();
+    absence_confirmed_ = absent && absent_before_;
+    absent_before_ = absent;
+    return absence_confirmed_;
+  }
+
+  static bool DetectDeviceAbsence() {
+    if (GetSystemMetrics(SM_MOUSEPRESENT) ||
+        GetSystemMetrics(SM_REMOTESESSION)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    UINT count = 0;
+    if (GetRawInputDeviceList(nullptr, &count, sizeof(RAWINPUTDEVICELIST)) ==
+            static_cast<UINT>(-1) ||
+        count > 4096)
+      return false;
+    if (count == 0) return true;
+    std::vector<RAWINPUTDEVICELIST> devices(count);
+    const UINT read = GetRawInputDeviceList(devices.data(), &count,
+                                            sizeof(RAWINPUTDEVICELIST));
+    if (read == static_cast<UINT>(-1) || read > devices.size()) return false;
+    for (UINT i = 0; i < read; ++i) {
+      if (devices[i].dwType == RIM_TYPEMOUSE) return false;
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  bool absent_before_ = false;
+  bool absence_confirmed_ = false;
+  std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point next_device_check_{};
+};
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/secure_desktop_cursor_state.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/secure_desktop_cursor_state.h
index 0cd6b9fb..38cb5a45 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/secure_desktop_cursor_state.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/secure_desktop_cursor_state.h
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef CROSSDESK_SECURE_DESKTOP_CURSOR_STATE_H_
 #define CROSSDESK_SECURE_DESKTOP_CURSOR_STATE_H_
 
+#include <chrono>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <mutex>
 
@@ -14,8 +15,10 @@ struct SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot {
   uint32_t shape = 0;
   int32_t x = 0;
   int32_t y = 0;
+  uint32_t render_mode = 0;
+  uint32_t hidden_reason = 0;
 };
-static_assert(sizeof(SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot) == 20);
+static_assert(sizeof(SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot) == 28);
 
 // The capture thread publishes helper samples for the GUI thread. While secure
 // capture is active, even an unavailable sample must not fall back to sampling
@@ -30,13 +33,20 @@ class SecureDesktopCursorState {
 
   void Update(const SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot& snapshot) {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
-    if (active_ && snapshot.valid) snapshot_ = snapshot;
+    if (active_) {
+      snapshot_ = snapshot;
+      updated_at_ = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+    }
   }
 
   bool Get(SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot* snapshot) const {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
     if (!active_ || !snapshot) return false;
     *snapshot = snapshot_;
+    if (std::chrono::steady_clock::now() - updated_at_ >=
+        std::chrono::milliseconds(1500)) {
+      snapshot->valid = 0;
+    }
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -44,6 +54,7 @@ class SecureDesktopCursorState {
   mutable std::mutex mutex_;
   bool active_ = false;
   SecureDesktopCursorSnapshot snapshot_{};
+  std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point updated_at_{};
 };
 
 inline SecureDesktopCursorState& SharedSecureDesktopCursorState() {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
index ce9aac21..b651bd72 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 #include "path_manager.h"
 #include "rd_log.h"
 #include "session_helper_shared.h"
-#include "windows_cursor_shape.h"
+#include "windows_cursor_state.h"
 #include "windows_input_marker.h"
 
 namespace {
@@ -1191,10 +1191,14 @@ struct SecureDesktopGdiResources {
     CURSORINFO cursor{};
     cursor.cbSize = sizeof(cursor);
     if (GetCursorInfo(&cursor)) {
+      static thread_local crossdesk::WindowsCursorState cursor_state;
+      crossdesk::CursorState state{};
+      cursor_state.Sample(cursor, false, &state);
       cursor_snapshot.valid = 1;
-      cursor_snapshot.visible = (cursor.flags & CURSOR_SHOWING) != 0;
-      cursor_snapshot.shape = static_cast<uint32_t>(
-          crossdesk::ShapeFromWindowsCursor(cursor.hCursor));
+      cursor_snapshot.visible = state.visible;
+      cursor_snapshot.shape = static_cast<uint32_t>(state.shape);
+      cursor_snapshot.render_mode = static_cast<uint32_t>(state.render_mode);
+      cursor_snapshot.hidden_reason = static_cast<uint32_t>(state.hidden_reason);
       cursor_snapshot.x = cursor.ptScreenPos.x;
       cursor_snapshot.y = cursor.ptScreenPos.y;
       if (request.show_cursor && cursor_snapshot.visible &&
@@ -1208,6 +1212,8 @@ struct SecureDesktopGdiResources {
             // A frame with an embedded cursor must not get a second cursor
             // overlay from a native controller sharing the web capture path.
             cursor_snapshot.visible = 0;
+            cursor_snapshot.render_mode =
+                static_cast<uint32_t>(crossdesk::CursorRenderMode::embedded);
           }
         }
       }
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_shared.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_shared.h
index c150b8f2..5b744297 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_shared.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_shared.h
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ inline constexpr wchar_t kCrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameMappingPrefix[] =
 inline constexpr wchar_t kCrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameReadyEventPrefix[] =
     L"Global\\CrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameReady-";
 inline constexpr uint32_t kCrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameMagic = 0x50444358;
-// Version 2 adds cursor metadata to both headers. The GUI and local session
-// helper must be deployed together; the remote-control wire format is unchanged.
-inline constexpr uint32_t kCrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameVersion = 2;
+// Version 3 distinguishes embedded, hidden and unavailable cursor states.
+// The GUI and local session helper must be deployed together.
+inline constexpr uint32_t kCrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameVersion = 3;
 
 #pragma pack(push, 1)
 struct CrossDeskSecureDesktopFrameHeader {
diff --git a/libs/wire/include/remote_action.h b/libs/wire/include/remote_action.h
index 395d0e71..8c994976 100644
--- a/libs/wire/include/remote_action.h
+++ b/libs/wire/include/remote_action.h
@@ -73,6 +73,24 @@ struct KeyboardState {
   KeyboardStateKey pressed_keys[kMaxKeyboardStateKeys];
 };
 
+// Optional presentation metadata. Zero preserves pre-metadata peers' behavior.
+enum class CursorRenderMode : uint8_t {
+  legacy = 0,
+  separate,
+  embedded,
+  hidden,
+  unknown,
+};
+
+enum class CursorHiddenReason : uint8_t {
+  unspecified = 0,
+  system_hidden,
+  system_suppressed,
+  no_pointing_device,
+  sampling_failed,
+  secure_desktop_pending,
+};
+
 struct CursorState {
   uint32_t seq;
   bool visible;
@@ -89,6 +107,10 @@ struct CursorState {
   // Shape-only updates set this to false so cursor appearance can remain
   // responsive while position feedback to the input source is suppressed.
   bool position_update;
+  // Keep visible/shape for old receivers; new receivers can distinguish an
+  // embedded pointer from a hidden pointer and an unavailable sample.
+  CursorRenderMode render_mode;
+  CursorHiddenReason hidden_reason;
 };
 
 struct HostInfo {
diff --git a/libs/wire/src/remote_action.cpp b/libs/wire/src/remote_action.cpp
index 5d1f46d4..fa11493e 100644
--- a/libs/wire/src/remote_action.cpp
+++ b/libs/wire/src/remote_action.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ std::string RemoteAction::ToJson(const RemoteAction& action) {
            {"visual_offset_x", action.cs.visual_offset_x},
            {"visual_offset_y", action.cs.visual_offset_y},
            {"display_id", action.cs.display_id},
-           {"position_update", action.cs.position_update}};
+           {"position_update", action.cs.position_update},
+           {"render_mode", static_cast<int>(action.cs.render_mode)},
+           {"hidden_reason", static_cast<int>(action.cs.hidden_reason)}};
       break;
     case ControlType::audio_capture:
       object["audio_capture"] = action.a;
@@ -197,6 +199,19 @@ bool RemoteAction::FromJson(const std::string& json_string,
         output.cs.seq = cursor_state_object.at("seq").get<uint32_t>();
         output.cs.visible = cursor_state_object.at("visible").get<bool>();
         output.cs.shape = static_cast<RemoteCursorShape>(shape);
+        const int mode = cursor_state_object.value("render_mode", 0);
+        const int reason = cursor_state_object.value("hidden_reason", 0);
+        // Unknown extensions from a newer peer fall back to visible/shape.
+        output.cs.render_mode =
+            mode >= 0 && mode <= static_cast<int>(CursorRenderMode::unknown)
+                ? static_cast<CursorRenderMode>(mode)
+                : CursorRenderMode::legacy;
+        output.cs.hidden_reason =
+            reason >= 0 &&
+                    reason <= static_cast<int>(
+                                  CursorHiddenReason::secure_desktop_pending)
+                ? static_cast<CursorHiddenReason>(reason)
+                : CursorHiddenReason::unspecified;
         output.cs.position_valid =
             cursor_state_object.value("position_valid", false);
         output.cs.x = cursor_state_object.value("x", 0.5f);