As someone who has multiple computers (or as my wife likes to call it, “an addiction”), managing keyboard and mouse switching has been a bit of a challenge. I don’t need to drop major coin on a KVM switch, since I don’t need to switch video on a single monitor - I have a couple monitors for my server and main PC, and a netbook with a decent screen. But sharing a keyboard and mouse has been challenging.
A little while ago, I got a USB switch (not a hub, but a proper mechanical switch). It’s functional, but not optimal - about 3 times out of 10, one of my machines doesn’t recognize it, and I’ve got to fiddle with cables or log off to resolve the issue. So I’ve always been looking for a better solution.
Just recently, Microsoft just released a free little program called “Mouse Without Borders”. You install it on up to 4 PCs on the same network (wired or Wifi), then enter a security code into one of the PCs, and add the other PCs by name. Once this is done, the app on each system automatically syncs up across all PCs, and lets you span your mouse across all your screens. Kind of like an extended desktop, but across multiple systems. Whichever system your mouse is parked on, that’s the system your keyboard will work on. You can also lock or log out on any system from any other system. You can also drag and drop files from one system to another.
If you’ve got multiple systems and monitors set up, or want to use a laptop at your desk but don’t have a dock, I would highly recommend this. The only complaint I have is that the mouse is a bit laggy over wifi, but over a wired connection, it’s as if I’ve plugged it directly in. Other than this, I’m very satisfied, especially since it was free.
I’m still keeping the USB switch, because I have a work PC that is usually logged into a VPN tunnel, which won’t let it use this app. But otherwise, I’m going to use this app for all my multitasking input needs.