Recommendation to emulate laptop keyboard and mouse as USB input for controlling desktop computer

Is there any software available (or a method of doing so) for Windows that can emulate my laptop's keyboard and mouse as a USB input device, allowing me to control a desktop computer using my laptop's input devices? I want to be able to connect my laptop to the desktop via USB and have the desktop recognize the laptop's keyboard and mouse as if they were directly connected. Any recommendations or suggestions for such software?

Mouse Without Borders, which was spun off from a MS employee's side project. It allows you to send keyboard/mouse input to another PC so when you place two monitors side by side, your mouse "scrolls" across to the other PC's desktop.

You don't need to remotely logon to the other PC.

garlin said:

Mouse Without Borders, which was spun off from a MS employee's side project. It allows you to send keyboard/mouse input to another PC so when you place two monitors side by side, your mouse "scrolls" across to the other PC's desktop.

You don't need to remotely logon to the other PC.

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I can't express enough how much I value your suggestion. Mouse Without Borders is indeed a stellar tool for sharing mouse and keyboard input across various computers. Yet, it does hinge on having a network connection and both computers to be completely booted and actively running the software. In contrast, my particular need involves being able to send keyboard strokes during the desktop PC's booting process. Hence, I'm on the hunt for a solution that facilitates a USB-to-USB connection between my laptop and desktop. The goal is for the desktop to perceive my laptop's keyboard and mouse as if they were natively connected via USB. Regrettably, Mouse Without Borders doesn't satisfy this specific need. If you can offer any further advice or pointers to accomplish this, your help would be immensely appreciated.

Then you need a USB switcher, which is basically a KVM without the M (monitor).

garlin said:

Then you need a USB switcher, which is basically a KVM without the M (monitor).

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Thank you for your suggestion. A USB switcher could indeed be a viable solution for switching USB device inputs between computers. However, it typically requires an external keyboard and mouse, which would then be used to control the selected computer.

In my case, I'm aiming to use my laptop's keyboard and mouse to control a desktop PC via a USB-to-USB connection, even during the boot process. Unfortunately, laptop keyboards and mice are usually internally connected and may not function as expected with a USB switcher. I'm still looking for a method that allows my laptop's input devices to behave as if they were external USB devices when connected to the desktop PC.

Nonetheless, I appreciate your suggestion, and I'm open to exploring any other ideas that could help achieve this.
Your help is SUPER appreciated and any other suggestions you have are extremely helpful. If you know of a KV that works with the internal mouse and keyboard or a method to make it work together that would be amazing.

What you're looking for is a USB crash cart adapter, those are pricey .

Given all the suggestions presented to you by @garlin , I think buying a separate set of mouse and keyboard would be the most cost efficient and no fail solution for your purpose.

garlin said:

What you're looking for is a USB crash cart adapter, those are pricey .

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Those prices are insane!

badrobot said:

Given all the suggestions presented to you by @garlin , I think buying a separate set of mouse and keyboard would be the most cost efficient and no fail solution for your purpose.

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I am surprised to see nobody has made this solution. I am going to try to make it myself as I am majoring in EECE and it sounds like a good idea! It might be complex though so I will update here if I complete it.

Thank you all for your responses and I appreciate your help!

I have another possible solution for you.

If you want to send a keystroke to your desktop during boot up direct via USB connection, perhaps all you need is a macro keypad. You don't need a full keyboard.


These macro keypads come in 2, 3, 6 or more keys and some of them even comes with a volume control. Macro keypads are very easy to use and each key are highly customizable. You can set each key to do anything that you can think of. Even open a website for you in just one keystroke.

If you need to use a regular keyboard and mouse, that's when you can make use of Mouse Without Borders.

I actually have 2 PCs and a laptop connected to 1 set of mouse and keyboard using a USB switcher.
The USB switcher is automatic. It connects to any PC that you power on.




I usually use them one at a time. If I need to use two, I use mouse without borders.

badrobot said:

I have another possible solution for you.

If you want to send a keystroke to your desktop during boot up direct via USB connection, perhaps all you need is a macro keypad. You don't need a full keyboard.
These macro keypads come in 2, 3, 6 or 9 keys and some of them even comes with a volume control. Macro keypads are very easy to use and each key are highly customizable. You can set each key to do anything that you can think of. Even open a website for you in just one keystroke.

If you need to use a regular keyboard and mouse, that's when you can make use of Mouse Without Borders.

Click to expand...

badrobot said:

I actually have 2 PCs and a laptop connected to 1 set of mouse and keyboard using a USB switcher.
The USB switcher is automatic. It connects to any PC that you power on.


View attachment 63155

I usually use them one at a time. If I need to use two, I use mouse without borders.

View attachment 63156

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Thank you for sharing the suggestion of using a macro keypad for sending keystrokes to the desktop during the boot-up process via a direct USB connection. It's an interesting solution that can offer customization and ease of use for specific functions.

I appreciate the versatility of macro keypads, allowing users to customize each key's functionality according to their needs. The ability to execute various commands or even open websites with just a single keystroke can be quite advantageous.

I am going to try and make my solution because I am looking for this particular functionality and it doesn't seem to be available.

Again thank you for your suggestions and if you have anymore please do let me know,

Hi,
I’m looking for the exact same thing. Any luck finding it?

Yep, made exactly this.
Laptop connected to the PC with an USB cable.
Made a small C# tool for remote control.
Also added support for video capture to have a full KVM solution.
And way faster and better than the Aten CV211.