# Two computers on a "KVM Switch"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [January 31, 2026, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236 "2026-01-31T17:37:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236/21 "2026-02-01T22:49:57Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The KVM is a simple solution and should work fine. I first used them at least 20 years ago. I was thinking I hadn’t even heard of a KVM switch in about 15 years. Although I have to ask why you don’t just RDP or something like that (Chrome Remote Desktop, Teamviewer, etc…) into the old one from the new? Seems like there’s less compatibility issues, less cables, less hassle, and less money that way. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236/22 "2026-02-03T13:15:25Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Although I have to ask why you don’t just RDP or something like that (Chrome Remote Desktop, Teamviewer, etc…) into the old one from the new? In my case, I’m not sure I how to do that. I hadn’t planned on networking the two machines together (Ethernet cable?) and I think I would need to download software, right? Tripler Different backgrounds is a good call! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236/23 "2026-02-03T15:36:48Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > In my case, I’m not sure I how to do that. I hadn’t planned on networking the two machines together (Ethernet cable?) and I think I would need to download software, right? If they’re both on the same wired LAN or Wi-Fi, then they’re already networked together. The software you need is “Remote Desktop Connection” and is built into Windows. Some googling that term will get you started on how to make the security configurations so the machines are willing to talk to each other. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236/24 "2026-02-03T16:46:14Z")
Oh… I was just assuming both would be on the same LAN, which makes it pretty easy to remote from one to the other. Beyond the usual remote desktop (often called RDP) Google also makes “Google remote desktop”, which is free, easy to configure, secure, and also let’s you remote in from elsewhere if needed. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236/25 "2026-02-05T00:29:36Z")
Not even just a different background. You often may be using apps full screen. So have things set up to use different colors. I personally always use a colored taskbar, as some apps don’t use the default title bar. I do the same with different users on the same computer, as I often need to use that other user if only to troubleshoot stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236.md?page=1)