Managing multiple Windows machines daily? Trying to switch keyboard and mouse between them all the time can get really annoying—one more thing to mess with and slow down your flow. That’s where Mouse Without Borders from Microsoft’s PowerToys kicks in. It’s a pretty slick free tool that lets you control up to four Windows PCs with just one mouse and keyboard—no extra hardware, software subscriptions, or complicated network setups. Kind of weird that Microsoft doesn’t push this more, but hey, it’s there, and it works.
Using it can seriously streamline your workspace if you’re juggling multiple workstations, gamers stacking up their rigs, or devs testing across different setups. Think of it like having a virtual multi-monitor setup but with actual physical computers. The best part? It all runs over your local network, so no cloud or account needed, just some setup and you’re good to go. Here’s a rundown of what it does and how to get it running.
How to Set Up Mouse Without Borders
Install PowerToys First
- Download PowerToys from the PowerToys GitHub releases. I recommend grabbing the latest version—currently v0.92.1 or newer.
- Run the installer, skip all the optional stuff unless you want extra features. Just get PowerToys installed and running.
Once installed, open PowerToys from the system tray or start menu.
Enable Mouse Without Borders
- Inside PowerToys, click on the left menu and find Mouse Without Borders.
- Switch it on. Yep, that simple.
Connect Your PCs with a Security Key
- On your *main* PC, click Generate Security Key. You’ll see a code or string of characters.
- Go to the secondary PCs, enter that same key when prompted during setup. If it doesn’t work at first, trying a reboot sometimes helps—Windows can be stubborn about recognizing network devices.
Arrange and Position Your Devices
- Once connected, you can arrange the virtual layout—like dragging icons to match your physical desk setup (side by side, stacked, whatever).
- This simulates a multi-monitor environment. Expect your mouse to glide seamlessly across all linked devices as if they’re just extra displays.
Look, on some setups, the connection can fail the first time—it’s weird but restarting PowerToys or your PCs could fix it. Also, make sure all devices are on the same network and discovery settings are enabled. Sometimes Win firewall blocking the connection or network profile being set to public causes issues, so check that too.
What Makes It Stand Out
Seamless Control Across Multiple Machines
Once connected, moving your mouse to the edge of one screen transitions it naturally into control of the next PC—no extra clicks or hotkeys needed. It’s kinda magical when it works, though sometimes it takes a second or needs a nudge—Windows can be inconsistent like that.
Clipboard and File Sharing
Copy stuff from one PC, and paste on another in seconds. Drag and drop files up to 100MB—don’t bother with cloud uploads or USB sticks unless you want a headache. Apparently, it drops straight into the target machine’s clipboard or folder if you set it that way.
Any Device Can Control Any Other
You don’t have to designate one main machine. All linked PCs can take command, which is handy when your primary machine’s busy or crashed — just move the mouse over, and control is yours.
Customizable Settings
- Edge detection: Automatically switch when reaching the screen edge (but can disable to require hotkeys like Ctrl + Alt + Shift for switching).
- Relative mouse mode: Adjust for different DPI settings across devices.
- Subnet restrictions: Limit connections to your local network—because of course Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Manual IP binding & indicator icons: For troubleshooting or just knowing what’s connected.
Limitations & Future Wishlist
It’s not a remote desktop replacement—if the device’s offline or in another room, you’re out of luck. Would be nice if it could show a live preview or remote screen, but for now, it’s just local network magic. Still, for controlling multiple PCs right within reach, it beats the heck out of juggling multiple keyboards and mice or cluttering your desk with extra gear.
Why It’s Worth a Shot
If you’re tired of swapping peripherals, or you have a setup where you need to switch back and forth fast, Mouse Without Borders can seriously change the game. It’s free, it’s built-in with PowerToys, and mostly reliable if your network plays nice. Plus, it’s quick to set up compared to full-blown KVM switches or remote desktop solutions.
Final Take
After messing around with it, the main thing is that it’s a real time-saver—once you get past the initial setup quirks. It’s hard to go back to plugging and unplugging, especially when your workflow involves drags, drops, and moving code snippets between boxes. Just a heads-up—sometimes Windows needs a little coaxing before it recognizes everything, so don’t get frustrated if it isn’t perfect right out of the gate.
Summary
- Install PowerToys from GitHub
- Enable Mouse Without Borders
- Generate and enter the security key on all machines
- Arrange layout to match your desk
- Enjoy seamless control and file sharing
Wrap-up
Fingers crossed this helps someone save time and hassle with multi-PC setups. It’s not perfect, but its simplicity and power make it a pretty solid tool. If it gets one major update or bug fix, that’s just icing. For now, it’s good enough to be a game-changer in many workflows. Hope it works for you as well as it did for the testers here.