To disable the mouse shadow in Windows 2000, follow these instructions:
Click on 'Start', point to 'Settings' and select 'Control Panel'
Double-click on 'Mouse' and click on the 'Pointers' tab
Uncheck 'Enable pointer shadow'
To disable the mouse shadow in Windows XP, use these instructions:
Click on 'Start', and then click on 'Control Panel'
Locate and click on 'Switch to Classic View' at the top-left (if in the XP-style view)
Double click on 'Mouse'
Click on the 'Pointers' tab
Uncheck 'Enable pointer shadow'