Multi PC Workplace - Guide
1. You have two or more PCs/laptops at one workplace 💻💻💻
Example: the first laptop (PC1) is used for home usage and the second (PC2) is for enterprise work (e.g. it has it's own vpn and etc.)
Real example: https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/sdeed7/help_me_new_multi_pc_setup_needed_kvm_hub_or/
2. You want to work with these PCs using single shared devices setup 🖱️⌨️💬🎙️🔉📺💻
Devices:
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Clipboard Buffer
- Audio Devices (microphone/speakers)
- External Display (especially with multiple input sources, e.g. any of: type-c + DP + HDMI)
- Another PC/Laptop's Display
3. You want your setup to work seamlessly with both PCs (or almost seamlessly) 🧙♂️🪄
There is KVM switch device. You will be able to work only with single PC at one momemnt.
You just have to use it as usb-hub and connect all of your setup to it (if possible)
Note
This whole setup was tested with Windows laptops only. But most of the apps are available for MacOS/Linux and are cross platform
- Your PCs are connected to the same local network
My favorite solution: https://github.com/deskflow/deskflow. It's Synergy fork and it's used in Synergy3.
It allows you to switch Mouse + Keyboard target PC just by moving mouse cursor out of display boundaries (just like with Extended Displays).
Works like a charm, uses local network.
Alternatives:
- https://github.com/input-leap/input-leap (synergy fork)
- https://github.com/debauchee/barrier (synergy fork, deprecated]
- https://github.com/symless/synergy (deprecated)
- Microsoft Garage Mouse without Borders (windows only)
- Powertoys Mouse Without Borders (windows only)
- Synergy3 (commercial synergy fork, has trial period)
Usage
Just move you mouse between multiple PCs
- move your cursor to PC1 display, now mouse and keyboard events will be sent to PC1
- move your cursor to PC2 display, now mouse and keyboard events will be sent to PC2
- both PCs have shared Clipboard Buffer
- magic 🧙
Tested solution: https://audiorelay.net/
It allows you to broadcast your microphone input source or sound output source to another PC
Works like a charm, uses local network.
Alternatives:
- https://www.sonobus.net/ (opensource) + https://vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/
Usage
For voice input
- Go to PC2
- Select created Virtual Mic as default Voice Input Device
For sound output
- Go to PC2
- Select created Virtual Speakers as default Sound Output Device
If your External Display has more then one input source port (e.g. type-c + DP, or HDMI + HDMI)
- Connect PC1 to first display's input port
- Connect PC2 to second display's input port
- Enable "Auto Detect Source" option on your External Display, thus it could automatically switch between sources depending on their availability
Now you are able to "catch" display on PC1/PC2
Usage
When you need to "catch" display on PC1:
- Move your cursor to PC1 display
- Enable display external/extend mode (on Windows: Win+P - Extend)
- Move your cursor to PC2 display
- Enable display internal mode (on Windows: Win+P - PC screen only)
When you need to "catch" display on PC2:
- Move your cursor to PC1 display
- Enable display internal mode (on Windows: Win+P - PC screen only)
- Move your cursor to PC2 display
- Enable display external/extend mode (on Windows: Win+P - Extend)
Note
If your display has no "Auto Detect Source" function, then you have options:
- Use KVM switch to switch External Display between multiple PCs
- Use another PC's connected display as External Virtual Display (see Another PC/Laptop's Display sharing section)
In case when you need additional display for the PC2, you may share PC1's connected display. Your OS will detect PC1's connected display as External Display on PC2.
I've tested only spacedesk and it was lagging, so I can't tell if there is a good solution.
Solutions:
You just connect PC2 to PC1 and setup PC1's display as Extended display on PC2. That's it. Now you have +1 display on your PC2.
Usage
- Run spacedesk viewer
- Use PC1's display as PC2's extended display
In my life tasks I need next automations:
- switch External Display from PC1 to PC2 (and back)
- lock cursor on target PC (e.g. when I play games)
Instead of Win+P you may
- Use next cmd commands:
- For the PC screen only:
%windir%\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /internal - For Duplicate:
%windir%\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /clone - For Extend:
%windir%\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /extend - For Second screen only:
%windir%\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /external
- Add AHK (AutoHotkey) shortcut for these commands:
; Put it here: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\display_switch.ahk
; Ctrl + PageUp switches to main (internal) display
^PgUp::
Run, C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /internal
return
; Ctrl + PageDown switches to second (external) display
; (!) Write /external if you don't wanna extend the displays
^PgDn::
Run, C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /extend
return- Register this AHK script both on PC1 and PC2
Usage
When you need to switch the External Display source from PC1 to PC2, you just:
- Move your cursor to PC1 display
- Press Ctrl + PageDown
- Move your cursor to PC2 display
- Press Ctrl + PageUp
From PC2 to PC1
- Move your cursor to PC1 display
- Press Ctrl + PageUp
- Move your cursor to PC2 display
- Press Ctrl + PageDown
Note
If you use modern DELL display, there is DDM (Dell Display Manager) app. You can install it and switch between type-c - DP - HDML sources using DDM shortcut (default: Alt + I)
If you don't want to move your cursor between PC1 and PC2 to switch External Display source, then in Deskflow Server Settings you may register new Hotkeys
Register Deskflow Server Hotkeys:
- Ctrl + Shift + PageUp -> Action "Press and release keys" -> Target PC2 -> Ctrl + PageDown
- Ctrl + Shift + PageDown -> Action "Press and release keys" -> Target PC2 -> Ctrl + PageUp
Note
Setup Hotkeys - intersection problem
- You should disable previous AHK script and restart PC to setup this automation.
- Then enable previous AHK script after Deskflow Hotkeys setup.
Usage
When you need to switch the External Display source from PC1 to PC2, you just:
- Move your cursor to PC1 (server) display
- Press Ctrl + PageDown
- Press Ctrl + Shift + PageDown
From PC2 to PC1
- Move your cursor to PC1 (server) display
- Press Ctrl + PageUp
- Press Ctrl + Shift + PageUp
If you don't want to lock cursor in boundaries of target PC, then in Deskflow Server Settings you may register new Hotkeys
Register Deskflow Server Hotkeys:
- Alt + L -> Action "Modife the cursor lock" -> "Toggle cursor lock"
Usage
- Move your cursor to target PC
- Press Alt + L to lock cursor inside screen boundaries
- Press Alt + L againt to unlock cursor
- https://superuser.com/a/1162698 - External Display commands
- https://superuser.com/a/1615514 - AHK External Display commands shortcut