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Helpful utility that lets users merge multiple computer systems for use with a single mouse

Helpful utility that lets users merge multiple computer systems for use with a single mouse

Vote: (4 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Microsoft

Version: 2.2.1.327

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(4 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Microsoft

2.2.1.327

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Controls up to 4 Windows computers with one mouse and keyboard
  • It's fast and not a memory hog
  • The program is highly customizable

Cons

  • The mouse sometimes lags on secondary machines
  • Users are waiting for a version that works on Windows 11

Mouse Without Borders was developed to make it possible to control a number of Windows computers with a single set of user peripherals. That is, by setting up a single point of control, a person can take control of up to 4 PCs with one keyboard/mouse connection. The program is therefore a productivity enhancement utility, a way of centralizing computer-controlled tasks in a highly efficient manner. Born out of a need for work output streamlining, the program has much to offer, including numerous setup options.

Right from the start, a workstation manager can tailor Mouse Without Borders in several ways. There's the benefit of a sharable clipboard to explore. When this option is set, copied data can be spread across multiple machines, which means all computers gain access to shared data. For example, the main computer might share a project document or image. Seamlessly, the utility then distributes the data to all machines, as if the clipboard is a single group asset. Of course, before such projects can be assigned, there's the system layout to configure. The machine centralizing utility rises to the challenge here by providing a straightforward setup routine.

After the software is installed, that's when the setup procedure is accessed. In here, the user defines the primary computer and assigns the roles of the satellite devices. These could be desktop computers or laptops. One keyboard and one mouse then take control of the primary/remote machines. Again, this setup is incredibly useful in an environment where a person is using multiple computers. Let's say an executive uses an office laptop, but they also have access to the office desktop and a second laptop. Using Mouse Without Borders, project assets are shared, processed, and stored simultaneously on all three computers. Productivity figures rise, the project is completed, and everyone's happy. And that's one scenario out of many. It's a far better office layout than having mouse and keyboard cables strewn everywhere while a harassed worker jumps between each machine in an effort to keep them all updated.

A security code is required to group the chosen primary and slave computers. It's generated by the initialization routine. That code should be noted down during the setup portion of the installation. During this period, there are a number of optional settings to decide upon in the tool menu. Decide whether the mouse pointer will live on the main computer or be able to cross over onto the slave machines. Customize keyboard shortcuts and create personalized logon screens, complete with localized pictures. All-in-all, with such customizable options embedded from the start, Mouse Without Borders is a workstation centralizing utility with much to offer.

Pros

  • Controls up to 4 Windows computers with one mouse and keyboard
  • It's fast and not a memory hog
  • The program is highly customizable

Cons

  • The mouse sometimes lags on secondary machines
  • Users are waiting for a version that works on Windows 11