The keyboard and mouse sharing is powered with Logitech Flow. This permits smooth transitions between monitors and a shared clipboard for cross-computer copy/paste. The requirements for this to work are typical of any such utility, including the computers being on the same local network and installing the Logitech Option or Option+ on all devices. Multiplicity is compatible with Windows operating systems and offers a 30-day free trial for its top-of-the-line subscription. Universal Control However, if you still wish to use a storage device with the switch, there are two potential methods of doing so while drastically reducing the risk of data corruption: Extend with USB Hubs: The USB sharing switch allows you to connect with a USB hub to extend more USB ports to share multiple devices e.g. printers, scanners, etc Method 1: “Eject” the device from within your Operating System prior to switching control of the device. This is the suggested procedure to perform prior to removing/switching any storage device from your system. The process for doing so varies depending which OS you are using.

It is also the very reason we generally do not recommend using storage devices with this switch. If control of the storage device were to be switched between systems while the storage device was being accessed, there would be the same potential for data corruption.

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You will save space, and productivity will get a massive boost, avoiding constant switching. Plus, it’s super flexible to choose between the software and hardware sharing options. Especially the software ones don’t even cost you a penny for personal use. Our testing gear comprised a Viotek GNV27DB curved gaming monitor, two Windows 10-based desktop mini-PCs we recently reviewed (the Geekom IT8, and the Beelink GK Mini), and a standard wired gaming keyboard and mouse from Logitech. In turn, we set up each KVM device and switched between or among PCs 10 times, using a stopwatch to measure the switchover time and then averaging the results. To test the audio and video quality, we played a 4K HD movie (our old testing stalwart, Tears of Steel) on each PC through each KVM switch in turn to our Viotek monitor. We also watched the same video with the PCs direct-connected to the monitor to see if any perceptible difference. The type of USB port supported is a consideration to make when purchasing a USB switch. It’s common for USB switches to have either USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. USB 3.0 has a greater transfer rate of 5Gbps over a USB 2.0, which has a 480Mbps transfer rate. Another thing to consider is the number of downstream ports it has. Having extra ports available can be convenient when connecting multiple USB devices. Best Overall: ABLEWE USB 3.0 Switcher ABLEWE You can connect the keyboard and mouse to one monitor and then switch control over to another device. You can also connect multiple computers and a USB driver via a switch to share information across the devices.

It comes with a central button to assign the peripherals to either computer. In addition, this is also plug-and-play without any complicated software setup or network restriction. I mean, why not? USB switches are another KVM alternative, of sorts. They look just like KVMs, and will likely show up in the search results if you're hunting for a KVM from a retailer. But they have one critical difference: no video support. They will only allow for switching of a keyboard and mouse. That means you can switch between computers with a keyboard and mouse, but a standard, inexpensive USB switch will not pass through a video signal. If your monitor has dual video inputs (most do), and you can attach a system to each, that arrangement can work as a KVM surrogate along with a USB switch, but you'll have to switch the display input via the monitor OSD and the peripherals via the USB switch separately. That's a much less elegant solution than a "true" KVM.

Like the utilities we have seen so far, Share Mouse also allows seamless mouse transition with the connected monitors, with the active screen hosting the keyboard. In addition, there are animations pointing to the transition, and the settings section allows virtual positioning for better switching. The switching can be done by dragging the mouse pointers across the monitor edge or pressing ctrl+ mouse drag, as per the configuration. One can also enable/disable screen corners to prevent accidental transitions. Finally, keyboards follow the mouse and work with the active display.