Sharing a Mouse & Keyboard with 2 PC’s?

mccoady · Oct 4, 2024

I’m wanting to know my best option or options for sharing my Logitech Performance MX mouse (w/unifying USB Receiver) and Logitech G610 Orion keyboard with two PC’s. I’ll call them Old (running Windows 10) & New (running Windows 11) computers. The New computer is connected to my Asus monitor via HDMI and Old computer connected via DVI then switching back & forth with monitor inputs.

Currently when I want to use the Old computer with my mouse I take the MX USB Receiver out of the New Computer and plug it into the Old. I have no option for switching the 610 keyboard so I just have an old keyboard hooked up to the Old computer. I would like a better option.

Dannydet · Oct 4, 2024

You need a KVM switch.
Amazon has them.

Dannydet · Oct 4, 2024

KVM stands for “Keyboard, Video (monitor), Mouse.” The main function of a KVM switch is to control, switch between, and manage multiple PCs or servers via a single keyboard, monitor and mouse (also referred to as the ‘console’).

mccoady · Oct 4, 2024

Thanks is there a software option that would do what I want.

pparks1 · Oct 4, 2024

i went a different route recently and I have started using this Logitech K380 keyboard which is only like $35, built very well and it connects to the machines via Bluetooth. They keyboard has the ability to pair up to 3 machines, and I just hit the #1, #2, or #3 button at the top of the keyboard and it makes the connection.

I've not yet bought a mouse that can auto switch between devices, but I know the Logitech M720 triathlon does.

pparks1 · Oct 4, 2024

mccoady said:
Thanks is there a software option that would do what I want.

yes,

Synergy - Share one mouse & keyboard across computers

Synergy is an app that shares one mouse and one keyboard across multiple computers and monitors. Instant download, easy to setup in minutes.

symless.com

Berton · Oct 4, 2024

Just a note, I use a KVM with 4 computers [Win11, Win10, Win7 and Linux] 1 mouse, 1 keyboard and 24"monitor.

The type of monitor connection is important, my newest Desktop has a Display Port while everything else is only VGA so I have to use an adapter for the DP.

I also have a Win11 and Win10 on a different desk with a 2-port KVM and 27" monitor, the KVM is the only part I purchased, others given me instead of the landfill. A good reason for me keeping the ASUS monitor is it has all 4 inputs, VGA, DVI, DP and HDMI, accessible by pressing a button for the menu choice and have used it a few times repairing broken Notebooks.

Br0die · Oct 4, 2024

pparks1 said:
i went a different route recently and I have started using this Logitech K380 keyboard which is only like $35, built very well and it connects to the machines via Bluetooth. They keyboard has the ability to pair up to 3 machines, and I just hit the #1, #2, or #3 button at the top of the keyboard and it makes the connection.

I've not yet bought a mouse that can auto switch between devices, but I know the Logitech M720 triathlon does.

I have the M720 mouse and K850 keyboard. They both have the 1,2,3 buttons so you can connect to three different systems using a either bluetooth, wireless or unifying receiver.

mccoady · Oct 4, 2024

I'm sure the M720 Mouse and K850 keyboard work great but am happy with my current setup.

I will consider a KVM switch but do want to check out the Synergy software.

pseymour · Oct 4, 2024

Your monitor may have a built-in KVM also; check into that. My Dell does.

jimbo45 · Oct 4, 2024

mccoady said:
I'm sure the M720 Mouse and K850 keyboard work great but am happy with my current setup.

I will consider a KVM switch but do want to check out the Synergy software.

KVM switch -- cheap simple -- you don't need the monitor connection versions just get a simple- 4 port KVM switch 1X usb in (put your wireless / mouse receiver thing there) and you/ve got 4X usb out for up to 4 machines.

Cheers
jimbo

mccoady · Oct 9, 2024

Sorry I've been away but I've decided to just go with a USB switch since my Old computer won't be running all the time just when I need to check a prior setting or something. I don't mind switching the inputs on the monitor to switch to each computer... I just need to be able to switch my Mouse USB Receiver and then switch my keyboard to both computers.

Can someone recommend a switch for that?

hdmi · Oct 10, 2024

mccoady said:
Thanks is there a software option that would do what I want.

Input Director - Software KVM to Control Multiple Computers

Control multiple windows systems with one keyboard/mouse. Share a keyboard and mouse across multiple windows system.

www.inputdirector.com

jimbo45 · Oct 10, 2024

mccoady said:
Sorry I've been away but I've decided to just go with a USB switch since my Old computer won't be running all the time just when I need to check a prior setting or something. I don't mind switching the inputs on the monitor to switch to each computer... I just need to be able to switch my Mouse USB Receiver and then switch my keyboard to both computers.

Can someone recommend a switch for that?

Just use cheap KVM switch -- just one with USB connectors -- no need for Video switch. Costs peanuts. --One USB input (can be your wireless keyboard / mouse combo - and up to 4 port outputs so can connect to up to 4 computers).

Forget @hdmi 's solutions -- he's a good technical guy I've no argument with but on "Street Level Engineering" I doubt if he'd even make it through the "back door waste disposal exit" !"!!!".

(And I'm also old alumni even as a foreign Isl student (UK EU membership back then from Imperial College in England with Phd in electrical Engineering -- when that college was a world leader !!!).

Cheers
jimbo

mccoady · Oct 10, 2024

Thanks I’ll see if I can find something on Amazon!

hdmi · Oct 11, 2024

I have been using Input Director since 2010. It still suits all my needs despite that it is free for personal use (and always has been that). I tried both Mouse Without Borders (from Microsoft Garage) and Synergy, but Input Director soon turned out to be the only free-to-use mouse & keyboard sharing software I could find that didn't have any serious quirks.

Input Director is the main reason why I never felt the need to get a hardware KVM switch. After all the years, Input Director is still actively maintained by its original author, who still provides active support for it on Google Groups. Input Director has a fair number of advanced options, but is still easy enough to set up due to being reasonably intuitive and having excellent documentation freely accessible on its website.

Input Director also supports clipboard sharing BTW. (To be able to use this feature on any files/folders, I have enabled File and Printer sharing on the root of each drive in both laptops.) I also like the option to make it briefly show a ripple effect around the mouse cursor after transitioning through a screen border, as this helps to avoid having to find the mouse cursor each time. The wrap-around feature and the ability to set up the screen positions also are great.

In short, you don't necessarily always have to buy more hardware. Do yourself a favor. Try Input Director. It's free. Whatever you do, don't walk in the woods during the night, though. Because, if a billiards table falls out of a tree, you're dead!

Dannydet · Oct 11, 2024

I'd love to use Input Director, but in my situation, I have to have 1 computer completely offline. And that's the only reason I use a kvm switch.

mccoady · Oct 11, 2024

I would have no issue trying Input Director if I think I can figure out the software. I checked into Synergy and was told since I’m only using one monitor I would have to use the monitor to switch between computers… I’m ok with that two. He suggested I use hotkeys to switch between computers but I’m not sure if it’s too complicated for me to set up.

hdmi · Oct 12, 2024

Dannydet said:
I'd love to use Input Director, but in my situation, I have to have 1 computer completely offline. And that's the only reason I use a kvm switch.

Input Director doesn't require internet access to function, and, both the network adapter preference and the port that it uses can be configured with ease. There's also a security page in the settings for when you can't trust your own local network, and that also includes the option to use data encryption if needed. It's all in the docs so, do yourself another favor. Read the docs before jumping to all sorts of conclusions that are based on nothing but cluelessness (and especially the kind of cluelessness that originates from a typical BS poster).

Anpeny · Oct 12, 2024

You could use Bluetooth to connect them to both computers if they support it. This requires some setup, and you may need to unpair and re-pair sometimes, but it eliminates the need for USB receivers.

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