Mouse Without Borders (#mousewithoutborders, - Microsoft Community

mouse w/o borders makes captain of computer fleet allowing control 4 computers single mouse , keyboard. means mouse w/o borders can drag , drop or copy , paste text, screen capture , file across computers.

mouse without borders available microsoft download with millions of downloads seen on google, twitter, seattle times, cnet, technet, channel 9, techcrunch, engadget, pcmag, youtube

would want have incredible mouse can seamlessly move 1 machine another?
want risk of kvm , more productive working multiple machines?

if new idea of using single set of mouse , keyboard work multiple machines or if having more or less troubles while using other software/hardware kvm wanted give mouse without borders a try. first impression of new user “it incredible! impossible!”

mouse without borders runs on versions of windows (xp/2k3/vista/2k8/win7/win8/win10/2016, x86 or amd64)

setup

• https://www.cnet.com/videos/microsofts-mouse-without-borders/
• https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mouse+without+borders

1. after install mouse without borders, see setup dialog. can bring dialog anytime clicking on mouse without borders system tray icon on taskbar.
2. in first machine, click no on first dialog. bring second dialog see security code and computer name. keep dialog open , go second computer.
3. in second machine, click yes first dialog enter information got first computer.
4. click link link 2 computers, after computers connected can move mouse cursor 1 machine other passing screen edge, keyboard input follows mouse cursor other computers well.
5. after setting computers, can bring settings form clicking on mouse without borders system tray icon or using hot key ctrl+alt+m. here can add more computers, drag/drop computer thumbnails setup their position , change other options.

note: if have previous version installed in computer, can upgrade latest version running command (instead of uninstalling/reintalling):

msiexec /i "full path downloaded mousewithoutborderssetup.msi" reinstallmode=vamus reinstall=all

main features

• control multiple computers seamlessly using single mouse , keyboard
• peer-to-peer system: machine can master machine
• multiple mode: keyboard/mouse repeat in machines
• shared clipboard: copy text/image/screenshot 1 machine , paste other machines
• drag/drop file across machines
• selective screen capture (ctrl+shift+s)
• support on logon/uac desktop
• personalize logon screen - plus feature windows 7 , newer version of windows
• customize keyboard layout

what new in latest version (2.1.8.0105 released on 17 jan 2018)

(compared previous version released in 2016)

• fix race condition causing deadlock in app.
• fix bug keyboard may not work in remote machine when there full-screen remote desktop running in host machine.
• more stable clipboard sharing.
• fix mouse-jump issue in machines custom dpi (monitor scale , layout greater 100%).
• fix bug clipboard may not work machine long name.
• support ipv6.
• add few more options easy mouse (enable, disable, ctrl, shift) requests gamers since ctrl key used in games.
• few other minor bug fixes , improvements.

known issues/limitation

• copy/paste between machines works single file , size limit 100mb.
• drag/drop between machines works single file , not work network file.
• copy/paste, drag/drop not work folder , multiple files, workaround zip them first.
• if host machine has full-screen focused remote desktop/virtual machine window (or kind of simulator window), keyboard might not follow mouse slaver machine. workaround switch focus window first.
• in windows 8 & up, mouse pointer might invisible if there no physical mouse attached machine. plug in unused mouse or turn on mouse keys in control panel.

tips , tricks

lock/unlock machines @ once

hit ctrl+alt+l twice lock machines. unlock machines, first switch multiple mode (default hotkey hitting ctrl 3 times fast) keyboard repeat in machines.

ctrl+alt+del in remote machine

this supported in windows 7 , newer versions of windows. please follow these steps in every machine, needs done once per machine: 

1. enable sas allow services:
a. run gpedit.msc (edit group policy)
b. go computer configuration > administrative templates > windows components > windows logon options > disable or enable software secure attention sequence, select services in dropdown box.

on can use ctrl+alt+end simulate cad in slave machine.

full-screen app/game: losing focus when switching machine

if experience issue. unchecking option "hide mouse @ screen edge" would help.

keyboard not work in remote machine when using full-screen remote desktop client in controller machine

some full-screen apps eat key strokes option "hide mouse @ screen edge" mentioned above should checked work around scenario.

mouse lag

if use app wireless connection in busy network, may experience mouse lag. wired connection recommended.

mouse move speed in remote machine is different between vertical , horizontal directions

this may caused having multiple monitors in remote machine. checking option "move mouse relatively" help.

mouse button swap not preserved in remote machine

in case change primary mouse button in windows settings, mouse data sent on network reverted. should not change primary button in remote machine. in case settings sync'd, may want turn "syncs settings" off in windows settings.

disable/enable startup windows

to disable app automatic startup when windows starts, run in command line window: sc config mousewithoutborderssvc start=demand

(you can in windows service manager (services.msc))

to enable app startup automatically: sc config mousewithoutborderssvc start=auto

add hotkey start/stop app (enable/disable app)

windows support app, need create desktop shortcut to app ("c:\program files (x86)\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborders.exe") can configure hotkey shortcut :

• in shortcut properties' dialog, go shortcut tab
• set focus on shortcut key value.
• type key set desired hotkey, ex.: type m set hotkey ctrl+alt+m
• click ok or apply.

the default hotkey exit app ctrl+alt+shift+q , can change in app's settings.

you can use ctrl+alt+shift+q exit/disable app , ctrl+alt+m start/enable app.

firewall settings mouse without borders

mouse without borders setup automatically adds windows firewall allowed program list. few users found these steps helpful in cases allow , customize tool through windows firewall:

1. click on start button click on control panel.
2. click on administrative tools.
3. click on windows firewall advanced security.
4. select inbound rules on right tree.
5. click on new rule... in actions list on left.
6. select program option , click next.
7. browse select mouse without borders application (%programfiles%\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborders.exe) , click next.(in x64 machine path should %programfiles(x86)%\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborders.exe)
8. select allow connection , click next.
9. select options “when rule apply?” , click next.
10. enter name rule , click finish.
11. rule should show in list, can double click on view details , make change.
12. restart mouse without borders.

(if have multiple network interfaces, wired , wireless, can customize allow application on type of interface in step 11 above – in advanced tab, click on customize. want allow application through local area network).

skip .net check when installing app (or manually install app)

the installer checks system make sure have required .net version 4 before installing. few users have reported installation blocked .net version installed. registry key corrupted in case, work around can run installer without ui option: msiexec /i mousewithoutborderssetup.msi /qn

you can manually install app using these steps:

• create folder c:\mm
•  download file mousewithoutborderssetup.msi folder.
•  in elevated cmd windows (run admin), run following commands:
  •  msiexec /a "c:\mm\mousewithoutborderssetup.msi" /qb targetdir="c:\mm\bin" /l*v "c:\mm\install.log"
  •  sc create mousewithoutborderssvc binpath= "c:\mm\bin\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborderssvc.exe" start= auto displayname= "mouse without borders service"
•  manually add program (c:\mm\bin\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborders.exe) firewall exception list (allow through firewall).
•  you can create desktop shortcut "c:\mm\bin\microsoft garage\mouse without borders\mousewithoutborders.exe"

troubeshooting share clipboard issue

(applicable version 2.1.7.1212 , up)

a number of users have reported clipboard sharing may stop @ time , need do something bring restarting app, reconnect (ctrl+alt+r), click apply on settings form. in case want find out why stops working in environment, here how works , how @ local log:

• clipboard monitoring done helper process mousewithoutbordershelper.exe want make sure process running , mousewithoutborders can talk (the mini log should has line helper:<apositivenumber>, , full log should have line: trace: clipboard monitor method addclipboardformatlistener used.)
• when text copied, there should blinking blue dot on app system tray icon:  and looking @ full log you can find something
  • [258] = 12/19 15:43:17.236(15)from helper: getclipboardtext: txt = 79, rtf = 0, htm = 0.
    [259] = 12/19 15:43:17.236(15)checkclipboardex: shareclipboard = true, data = string.
    [262] = 12/19 15:43:17.236(15)plain/zip = 240/153
    [263] = 12/19 15:43:17.236(15)settoggleicon: 2
  • which tells text placed system clipboard @ 15:43:17 , app's shareclipboard option on. (btw can full log click on generate log in app's system tray context menu).
• the text sent other machines , see blue blinking dot above in other machines telling got text. see lines in full log of app running in other machines:
  • [4007] = 12/19 15:43:17.296(43)0.08kb of txt <-
    [4008] = 12/19 15:43:17.296(72)0.08kb of txt <-
    [4009] = 12/19 15:43:17.296(43)settoggleicon: 2
• the app uses the clipboard.gettext and similar apis to access system clipboard may also used other apps running in machines. if multiple apps access clipboard concurrently it may cause error, we work around by retrying few times. if large image is in the clipboard, retrying may not in slow machine , see this line in full log: requested clipboard operation did not succeed.

personalize logon screen using local pictures

1. create 1 folder named mousewithoutborders under \windows\web\ directory.
2. drop photos there (jpg only).
3. in cmd windows, run del "%userprofile%\appdata\local\temp\low\mm.local.indexer.txt" restart mouse without borders.

customize keyboard layout

you may want play around keyboard layout mapping virtual key one, can come new layout invent:) feature advanced users only.

for example, if want convert qwerty keyboard dvorak keyboard these steps:

•  run following commands admin set virtual key mappings (you can use regedit this):
  •  reg add hklm\software\microsoft\mousewithoutborders /v vkfrom /t reg_sz /d "081,087,069,082,084,089,085,073,079,080,0219,0221,083,068,070,071,072,074,075,076,186,222,090,088,067,086,066,078,188,190,191,189,187" /f
  •  reg add hklm\software\microsoft\mousewithoutborders /v vkto /t reg_sz /d "222,188,190,080,089,070,071,067,082,076,191,187,079,069,085,073,068,072,084,078,083,189,186,081,074,075,088,066,087,086,090,219,221" /f
•  in settings form, check option use key mappings go (default hotkey toggle option ctrl+alt+shift+k).

this example. fyi, windows support dvorak layout, difference here app skips mapping when ctrl key down ctrl+[x,c,v] work original layout.

discussions/posts in other languages

マウス / キーボード を、複数のパソコン間で共有する!

mouse without borders: vier pcs, eine maus

utilize vários computadores com apenas um mouse e um teclado!

mouse without borders : une souris pour plusieurs pc

讓滑鼠破「窗」而出的免費 microsoft kvm 程式

un mouse una tastiera per 4 pc: ordine sulla scrivania

mouse without borders – управляем четырьмя ПК одной мышью и клавиатурой

microsoft 복수의 pc의 마우스, 키보드를 lan에서 공유가능하게 하는 mouse without borders 공개

mouse without borders, kendalikan banyak komputer dengan satu mouse

Điều khiển nhiều máy tính với 1 chuột 1 bàn phím

users love mouse without borders

as are reading far, have reasons try out app ^.^! , here additional reason: can name piece of software has lot of love users radom expressions longing years on twitter:

• mouse without borders why believe software made of miracles.
• i've discovered mouse without borders , it's i've ever dreamed of ^_^ controlling 2 laptops 1 mouse & keyboard!
• mouse without borders toward top of list of favorite software apps of year. useful.
• mouse without borders, "that's weird. that's wrong."
• dear lord thing amazing. mouse without borders lot more stable
• mouse without borders: 1 of best things i've seen in entire life.
• microsoft garage, draw hat before you. mousewithoutborders 1 of awesomest things.
• mouse without borders - how did not find earlier...what brilliant piece of kit!
• wow! life changing microsoft download: mouse without borders! oh, little program, where've been life?
• mouse without borders such great software, it's shame many don't know , how works.
• mouse without borders giving laptop purpose
• seriously - why did not install mouse without borders before - amazing! 1 workstation + 2 laptops 1 keyboard & mouse!
• mouse without borders awesome! should native part of #windows
• mouse without borders practical thing ive seen
• how in heck did no 1 tell me mouse without borders before now??!?!?
• mouse without borders @microsoft best thing has happened me have 2 laptops
• how have not heard of "microsoft garage mouse without borders" before? don't want sell @surface pro
• mouse without borders. fantastic idea amazing implementation
• loving mouse without borders. felt free can fly. @microsoft #microsoftgarage team
• omg!  why learning mouse without borders. loving it!!!!
• mouse without borders quite possibly amazing thing ever.
• i don't know how lived before using "mouse without borders" mouse/kybd work across both surface pro 2 & lenovo x1 carbon
• best thing discovered today - mouse without borders
• mouse without borders is, far, best software product have ever used.
• with mouse without borders life complete. freely use mice , keyboard between separate computers

magic mouse fun facts

• the original name of app magic mouse named when starting this little project in jun 2008. beta version created in week total of 34 downloads.
• according statistics, app has been downloaded 193 countries millions times. north korea did make one completed download - kim jong-un? wait, not use windows. knows, may use out-date version of windows xp control nuclear launch, mouse without borders works in windows xp too:)
• japanese likes share information app many posts on twitter are in japanese.
• few users recognize app symbol (icon) mouse:) -
• quite few users not know keyboard works app too:) keyboard follow mouse remote machine. got name wrong.
• a number of internal microsoft folks thought original developer of project has gone microsoft checked git history got alias changed once. little longest project have been with.
• the project user-driven, users use , keep sending feedback , asking little things. did provide idea , fixes. ui of first version in 2008, pretty empty surprisingly works in windows 10 without recompilation:

and here current uis: 

very nice application, might need optimizations.

as now, unfortunately can't use it. have 1000hz gaming mouse, and that high update rate seems cause lot of lag after move the cursor to remote computer, surface pro 3.

Windows / Windows 10 / Desktop, Start, & personalization / Desktop