A local computing device determines that multiple mouse modes are supported by both the local computing device and a remote computing device with which the local computing device is connected. The mouse modes are connection protocols for a cursor connection, the connection protocols identifying when to send cursor messages between the local computing device and the remote computing device as well as what types of information to include in the cursor messages. The local computing device detects one or more parameters of the connection between the local computing device and the remote computing device. When the one or more parameters satisfy a first criterion, the local computing device sets a first mouse mode for a cursor connection between the local computing device and the remote computing device. When the one or more parameters fail to satisfy the first criterion, the local computing device sets a second mouse mode for the cursor connection.