Using the same keyboard and mouse on several Windows PCs can save you from constantly switching devices. The stable version 0.102.3101.0 of Microsoft PowerToys fixes pairing failures in Mouse Without Borders, the tool that connects several computers. It does not turn a second PC into an extra screen: it lets you switch between machines and share certain items, provided the computers are correctly configured and connected to the same network.
One mouse, several computers
Mouse Without Borders lets you control up to four computers from a single machine using one keyboard and mouse. Once the devices are connected, the pointer can move from one screen to another by crossing its edge, according to the layout configured in PowerToys. Users can also arrange the computers in a different order, or use shortcuts to switch between them.
The difference from an external screen is significant. An extra screen displays a computer’s desktop; Mouse Without Borders gives you access to the controls of several separate PCs. Each machine keeps its own operating system and applications. The tool does not merge the computers or transmit one machine’s image to another.
The feature may be useful, for example, to someone working on two PCs side by side who wants to avoid moving or unplugging their peripherals. It is built into PowerToys, Microsoft’s suite of utilities for Windows users. So it adds no value to a workstation that does not need to control several machines.
What the update fixes
The official PowerToys notes describe version 0.102.3101.0 as a bug-fix update. They state, among other things, that it resolves pairing failures in Mouse Without Borders. Pairing is the step that allows computers to recognise each other and establish their connection; a problem at this stage prevents you from using the shared keyboard and mouse, even if the feature is present in the application.
The fix does not mean that all connection problems will disappear, or that the tool becomes automatic. Microsoft’s documentation says the machines must be configured: generate a security key on one, then enter that key and the computer’s name when connecting from the other. The devices must, among other things, be connected to the same network. A firewall can also block the connection; PowerToys offers a setting to add a rule for Mouse Without Borders.
If connection fails, it is best to check the computer’s name and the key, the network connection and the firewall rules. The troubleshooting notes also suggest refreshing connections if they are lost. Disabling the firewall entirely or turning off signature verification is not a recommended solution: it would unnecessarily increase the risks instead of fixing the relevant setting.
Clipboard and files: features with limitations
The tool can also share the clipboard between computers and transfer files. However, this sharing does not replace a shared storage space or a complete synchronisation system. The documentation specifies a 100 MB transfer limit. It also notes some restrictions: copy and paste and drag and drop between machines support only one file at a time, not folders or groups of files. Files located on a network location are not supported by the drag-and-drop feature described in the known issues. For multiple files, Microsoft says one possible workaround is to bundle them into an archive.
Moving the pointer from one PC to another also depends on the configuration and context. Some full-screen applications, including a Remote Desktop or virtual machine window that retains focus, may prevent the keyboard from following the mouse. The documentation suggests enabling an option that places the pointer at the edge of the screen, or first giving focus to another window. It may also be necessary to adjust some settings separately on each computer.
A service option, not a prerequisite
Mouse Without Borders can run under the system account in service mode. Microsoft presents this option as a way to control the lock screen or applications launched with elevated privileges from another computer. It requires running PowerToys as an administrator and enabling the corresponding setting.
This mode is not necessary for the everyday use described here. The documentation warns that it provides greater control, but also brings additional security risks if Mouse Without Borders were used as an attack vector. It should therefore only be enabled if the need is real and understood, rather than treated as a standard setup step.
Version 0.102.3101.0 is presented in the official repository as a bug-fix release of PowerToys, which includes Mouse Without Borders. The update will be of most interest to people who already use several Windows PCs and are experiencing pairing difficulties. For everyone else, it does not change the nature of the tool: it fixes pairing failures without turning a computer into an extra screen.
POST Luxembourg, for its part, highlights the importance of keeping software up to date. This general security recommendation is not an assessment of Mouse Without Borders.
References
- Release v0.102.3101.0 — official Microsoft PowerToys repository
- Control Multiple Computers with PowerToys Mouse Without Borders — Microsoft Learn
- POST Luxembourg — Security and updates
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