How to use one keyboard, mouse and monitor with two computers
Plug each computer into its own input on the monitor. Then you need something to move the keyboard and mouse, and something to change the monitor's input. A hardware KVM switch does both with a box. A keyboard and mouse with multi-device buttons move only themselves. Keyboard and mouse sharing software moves them over your network. A software KVM like EasyKVM moves the keyboard, mouse, clipboard and audio on a hotkey and, if both computers share the monitor, switches its input too. If each computer has its own screen, you only need the keyboard and mouse part.
The options at a glance
| Option | Moves keyboard and mouse | Switches the monitor | Audio | Clipboard | Needs a screen per computer | Mac + Windows | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware KVM switch | Yes, through the box | Yes, video runs through the box | Some models | No | No | Yes, if the ports match | $80 to $400 for 1440p or 4K at high refresh |
| Multi-device keyboard and mouse | Yes, each device on its own button | No | No | No | No, but you switch a shared monitor by hand | Varies by model | The price of the keyboard and mouse |
| Keyboard and mouse sharing software (Deskflow, Synergy, Mouse Without Borders) | Yes, over the network | No (ShareMouse Professional, experimentally) | Some | Most | Yes, in practice | Some (Mouse Without Borders is Windows only) | Free to about $150, one-time |
| Software KVM (EasyKVM) | Yes, on a hotkey over the LAN | Yes, over DDC/CI, if they share it | Yes, both directions | Text | No, either setup works | Yes | $29.99 one-time |
| Remote desktop | You control the other computer from a window | No | Varies | Varies | No | Varies | Varies; often free for personal use |
Option 1: A hardware KVM switch
A hardware KVM switch is a physical box. You plug both computers, your monitor, keyboard, and mouse into it, then press a button to switch. It works without software, but you have to match ports and resolutions exactly (DisplayPort vs HDMI vs USB-C, refresh rate, power delivery), it costs $80–$400 for one that handles 1440p/4K at high refresh, and cheaper units drop USB devices every time you switch. Good if you can't install software; otherwise it's the most expensive, most cable-heavy route.
Option 2: A keyboard and mouse with multi-device switching
Many wireless keyboards and mice can pair with more than one computer, over Bluetooth or a USB receiver, and have a button that picks which computer they talk to. Usually each device switches on its own, so you press the button on the keyboard and then on the mouse. They don't change the monitor's input, and they don't move the clipboard or audio. Check the model's spec sheet for how many computers it pairs with and whether it supports both macOS and Windows.
Option 3: Keyboard and mouse sharing software
Tools such as Deskflow, Synergy and Mouse Without Borders run on each computer and send your keyboard and mouse over the network. Most of them move control when the pointer crosses the edge of one screen onto the next, and many also have hotkeys. They fit a desk where each computer has its own monitor. Deskflow is free and runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. Mouse Without Borders is free and Windows only. They don't switch a shared monitor's input, with one exception: ShareMouse Professional can, in a mode its own documentation calls experimental. The software KVM tools compared page lists them side by side.
Option 4: A software KVM such as EasyKVM
EasyKVM is a software KVM for two computers. One hotkey moves your keyboard, mouse, clipboard (text only) and system audio to the other computer over your local network. It works on a desk where each computer has its own screen and on one where both share a monitor. With a screen per computer, turn off the monitor swap in Settings and the hotkey moves keyboard, mouse, clipboard and audio. Switching is by hotkey only, so control never moves because the pointer touched a screen edge (see hotkey vs mouse-edge switching).
If both computers share a monitor, the same hotkey switches its input over DDC/CI. Each computer drives the monitor natively, so you keep full resolution, refresh rate, and HDR. A Mac and a PC, or two PCs, switch the monitor automatically. Two Macs share keyboard, mouse, audio and clipboard; the monitor switch is manual for now.
Set it up in about five minutes
- Install EasyKVM on both computers (download here).
- Pair them with a one-time 6-digit code over your LAN. No account needed.
- Plug each computer into the monitor on its own input (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C), if they share one.
- Pick a hotkey (default Ctrl+Alt+Q) and press it to swap. Press again to come back.
Mac and Windows on one desk
EasyKVM runs on macOS 13 or later and Windows 10 or 11. Either machine can be the host. The other one joins over the LAN for free, because one license covers the host. A Mac and a PC that share a monitor switch it automatically on the hotkey. On the Mac, EasyKVM needs the Accessibility permission, which you grant in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
The builds are not code-signed yet, so the first launch needs one extra click. On macOS, right-click the app and choose Open. In Windows SmartScreen, choose More info, then Run anyway.
Which option is right for you?
- A separate monitor per computer → EasyKVM with the monitor swap off if you want to switch on a hotkey with audio following, or keyboard and mouse sharing software (Deskflow, Synergy, Mouse Without Borders) if you prefer crossing the screen edge.
- One monitor shared by both computers → EasyKVM. The same hotkey switches the monitor input. If one of them is a work laptop, see work laptop and personal computer on one monitor.
- Only the keyboard and mouse, and a button press is fine → a keyboard and mouse with multi-device switching.
- Can't install software at all → a hardware KVM switch.