What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Input Director lets one keyboard and mouse control several Windows PCs over a network. Choose the computer with the physical keyboard and mouse as the Director; install Input Director on the other machines as Clients. After you pair the systems, move the pointer across a configured screen edge to switch computers, and use the shared clipboard to copy and paste between them.
This guide covers installation, Windows 10 security requirements, pairing, firewall rules, encryption, daily shortcuts, licensing and the fixes for clients that will not connect.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Input Director does
Input Director is a Windows application that sends keyboard and mouse input from one computer to other Windows computers on the same reachable network. The computer whose keyboard and mouse you use is the Director. Every additional computer is a Client. You do not move the physical keyboard or mouse; Input Director changes which computer receives those inputs.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe arrangement is software-based, so each computer still needs its own Windows installation, display and network connection. The Director and Clients must be able to communicate with one another. A wired connection can be useful where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable; a Cat6 Ethernet cable is a practical way to connect a PC to a wired LAN, but it is optional.
#1 Best Overall
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
What you can do after setup
- Switch computers by moving the pointer through a configured edge of the current screen.
- Copy on one Windows computer, move to another, and paste through the shared clipboard. Most clipboard formats are supported.
- Return control to the Director with
Ctrl-Alt-Break. - Send client security commands that Windows normally reserves, including
Ctrl-Win-Lfor the client’s Win-L lock command andCtrl-Alt-Insertfor the client’s Ctrl-Alt-Delete equivalent.
Requirements before installing
Use Windows computers on one reachable network
Input Director controls Windows systems; every participating computer needs the application installed. Put the machines on the same reachable home, office or lab network, or otherwise provide routing that allows them to contact one another. If a client’s hostname cannot be resolved from the Director, pairing and later switching can fail even when both computers appear to be online.
Install one matching version everywhere
Download one installer build and use it on every participating computer. The official FAQ page captured for this guide identifies version 2.4 as the latest version on that page, but version information is volatile, so check the current official download and FAQ immediately before installing. Do not mix builds between the Director and Clients.
Keep the Windows 10 installation in the secure path
Use the installer’s default location, C:Program FilesInput Director. Windows 10 requires UIAccess applications to be installed in a secure location when they must control elevated processes. Moving the program into an arbitrary user-writable folder can prevent control across elevated windows unless you deliberately change the related Windows policy. Leave the default path in place unless you understand that policy and its security implications.
Install Input Director on every computer
- Download the current Input Director installer from the official Input Director distribution source.
- Run the installer on the computer that will have the primary keyboard and mouse. Accept the default secure installation path, including
C:Program FilesInput Director. - Run the same installer build on every computer that will be controlled. Keep the default options unless your Windows administration policy requires a documented change.
- Start Input Director on each machine after installation. Identify the computer physically connected to the keyboard and mouse; this will be the Director. The remaining machines will be Clients.
- Leave each application running while you complete pairing and access-control configuration. If the service portion of setup fails, install the bundled Visual C++ redistributables and run the setup again, as advised by the official FAQ.
Installing on every machine is necessary even though only the Director has the physical input devices. The Client component receives the network input and applies it locally, including when the target window is elevated.
Pair Clients from the Director
Open the Client Systems panel
- On the Director, open Input Director and select Client Systems.
- Click Add. Use the network scan to find candidate systems.
- Select the computer you want to control as a Client. If the scan does not show it, check that Input Director is running there, that the hostname is reachable, and that firewalls allow the required traffic before trying the scan again.
- Save the Client configuration on the Director.
Repeat the Add process for each additional Client. The Director stores the systems and their screen relationships, so a Client can be selected consistently after the initial setup.
Rank #2
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
Give the Director permission on each Client
Pairing is not the same as authorization. On every Client, open the Security panel and choose an access-control scope. You can authorize a specific Director, authorize an appropriate subnet, or use another access-control scope supported by your installed version. A named Director is the narrowest choice; a subnet is convenient when several trusted Directors need access.
Save the security setting on the Client, then return to the Director and confirm the Client remains available. If you authorize every computer on a network, any machine that can reach the Client may be able to request control, so use that broad setting only when it matches your security requirements.
Recommended Free Tools
Arrange screens and test switching
Put each Client where it appears physically
In the Director’s Client Systems configuration, arrange the Client positions so they match the physical layout of your monitors. For example, place a Client to the right of the Director if its monitor is physically on the right. The exact edge you cross is determined by this layout, not by the order in which you added computers.
Run a complete first test
- Move the pointer to the configured edge of the Director’s display. Continue moving through the edge; the pointer should appear on the corresponding Client.
- Type a short, harmless test in a text editor on the Client to verify keyboard input.
- Copy a small text selection on one computer, switch systems, and paste it on the other. This checks the shared clipboard path.
- Press
Ctrl-Alt-Breakto return control to the Director. - On a test Client, verify
Ctrl-Win-LandCtrl-Alt-Insertonly when you are prepared for the lock or secure-attention action they simulate.
If the pointer crosses to an unexpected machine, correct the screen arrangement instead of changing network settings. If it does not cross at all, use the connection and access-control checks in the troubleshooting section.
Use the shared clipboard and security shortcuts
Clipboard sharing
Input Director shares most clipboard formats between participating Windows computers. Copy on the active computer, move the pointer to another configured system, and paste there. This is useful for text, ordinary files or other formats that Windows exposes through its clipboard, but applications can still impose their own format or permission restrictions.
Rank #3
- 【Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard Mouse 】: Wireless ergonomic keyboard is equipped with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time. The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and email, to help you improve work efficiency
- 【Stable & Reliable Wireless Connection】: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo share the same USB receiver(stored in the mouse), and they can also be used separately. Plug & play, no need to download any software, 2.4 GHz wireless provides a powerful and reliable connection up to 33 feet(10m) without any delays.You can enjoy the convenience and freedom of wireless connection at home or at work
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】: This compact lightweight wireless mouse features a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking.1600 DPI to meet your daily needs. Perfect for home & office work and entertainment
- 【Long Battery Life】: Up to 365 Days of battery life for keyboard and mouse wireless, say goodbye to the hassle of charging cables and replacing batteries. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the wireless keyboard mouse combo will automatically go into sleep mode to save energy. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Less Noise, More Quiet Keys】: Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience, So you can type with confidence on a wireless keyboard crafted for comfort, precision and fluidity. The wireless mouse adopts silent micro-motion technology, which is almost completely silent when clicked. No more concerns about disturbing others.
Clipboard data travels over the same network connection as keyboard and mouse data. If you enable encryption on a Client, the encrypted channel covers all three categories.
Return control quickly
Ctrl-Alt-Break returns control to the Director. Keep this shortcut available when testing a Client or when a Client becomes unresponsive, because it lets you operate the Director without physically moving to another keyboard.
Client lock and secure-attention equivalents
Windows reserves some secure-attention combinations. Input Director provides equivalents that target the active Client:
| Shortcut | Effect | Use with |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl-Win-L |
Simulates Win-L on the Client | Locking the active Client |
Ctrl-Alt-Insert |
Simulates Ctrl-Alt-Delete on the Client | Opening the Client’s secure-attention screen |
Ctrl-Alt-Break |
Returns control to the Director | Recovering the Director focus |
Configure firewall and network access
Ports and programs that must be allowed
Input Director communicates on TCP port 31234 and UDP port 31234. A third-party firewall should allow both inbound and outbound traffic for that port. It should also permit both Input Director executables:
InputDirector.exeInputDirectorSessionHelper.exe
The installer normally creates the necessary Windows Firewall rules automatically. A separate security product may still block the traffic, so inspect that product’s application and port rules if Windows Firewall appears correctly configured but a Client cannot be found or controlled.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #4
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
What to check on a wired or wireless network
- Confirm the Director and Client are connected to the same reachable network rather than isolated guest networks.
- Confirm the Client hostname resolves from the Director. If name resolution is unavailable, correct the network or DNS configuration before changing Input Director settings.
- Check both TCP and UDP 31234; opening only one protocol can leave discovery or control incomplete.
- When using a wired setup, connect the computers to the same LAN with suitable Ethernet cabling, such as Cat6, and verify that link status is active.
Enable AES encryption when needed
Input Director can encrypt keyboard, mouse and clipboard data sent to a Client. On each Client, open the Security tab, enable encryption and set a password. Apply the setting to every Client whose traffic needs protection.
Encryption is separate from access control. Use both: restrict which Director systems or subnet may connect, then enable AES encryption for the data channel. A password-protected encrypted Client is appropriate when other devices share the network or when keyboard and clipboard contents should not travel in clear text.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot a Client that will not connect
1. Check version and installation
Open Input Director on every machine and verify that all are running the same version. Confirm the program remains in C:Program FilesInput Director on Windows 10, particularly if control fails only over elevated windows. If setup reported a service-installation error, install the bundled Visual C++ redistributables and rerun the installer.
2. Confirm the Client is running and reachable
Start Input Director on the Client and make sure the computer is awake and connected. From the Director, verify that the Client hostname resolves and that both machines can reach one another on the network. A powered-off Client, a sleeping computer or a network-isolation rule cannot be fixed from the Client Systems panel.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3. Inspect access control
On the Client, open Security and review the allowed Director or subnet. A Client can be visible on the network but reject the Director because the access scope does not include it. Replace an obsolete Director entry, or choose the correct subnet when the Director’s address changed.
Best Value
- 【Lag-free & Efficient】Stable and reliable connection of wireless keyboard and mouse is up to 10m(33ft). This combo share a nano USB receiver, no need to take up additional USB ports (Also the wireless keyboard and mouse can also be used separately). Plug and play, no software needed,convenient and efficient.
- 【Quiet & Type in Comfort】Wireless keyboard come with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time.Our wireless keyboard adopts a silent structure. Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience.The wireless mouse is quiet without any clicking sound also.So whether at home or in the office, you can use this combo as you please without worrying about disturbing others.
- 【Full Size Keyboard】This keyboard saves desktop space while retaining its full size.The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and search, to help you improve work efficiency.
- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】This silent wireless mice provides 3 adjustable DPI (800/1200/1600) to meet your different needs in terms of sensitivity.The compact lightweight design of wireless mouse and a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking. Very suitable for office and daily use.
4. Inspect both firewall protocols and executables
Review third-party firewall rules for inbound and outbound TCP 31234 and UDP 31234. Add exceptions for InputDirector.exe and InputDirectorSessionHelper.exe if they are blocked. The automatic Windows Firewall rules do not override a separate endpoint-security product.
5. Re-add a stale configuration
If a Client was renamed, readdressed or reinstalled, remove its stale entry from the Director’s Client Systems panel, scan again, select the current system and save it. Then check the Client’s access-control entry so it authorizes the Director that is actually connecting.
6. Use the Director return shortcut when a Client is unavailable
Press Ctrl-Alt-Break to return to the Director. Review the Client’s skip status and access-control settings if the pointer stops at that system or bypasses it. Correct the configuration, save it, and test the edge transition again.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →7. Separate pointer, keyboard and clipboard symptoms
- No pointer transition: check the saved screen arrangement, Client availability, hostname resolution and firewall rules.
- Pointer moves but typing fails: verify that the Client service is running, the installation is in the secure path, and elevated-window control is not being blocked by Windows policy.
- Keyboard and mouse work but paste fails: test with plain text first, then check whether the application or clipboard format is supported. Input Director supports most formats, not every application-specific format.
- Client appears and then disappears: inspect sleep settings, network stability, third-party firewall logs and the Client’s access-control scope.
Personal and commercial licensing
The official FAQ states that Input Director is free strictly for personal, at-home, non-commercial use. Commercial users must obtain a commercial license from the vendor. Decide which license category applies before deploying it in a business, school, studio or other organization, even if the computers are privately owned.
Input Director compared with other ways to share input
Input Director is a software KVM: it uses the network and an installed component on every Windows computer. A hardware KVM is a physical switch that routes one keyboard, mouse and usually display connections between computers. Another software KVM may use a different protocol or support different operating systems. Choose by the constraints that matter in your setup.
| Decision factor | Input Director | Hardware KVM category | Another software KVM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computers and operating systems | Multiple Windows computers; each needs the application | Model-dependent; not established here | Product-dependent; not established here |
| Network dependence | Requires a reachable network and TCP/UDP 31234 | Does not require network traffic for switching; model-dependent | Usually network-dependent; exact behavior not established here |
| Clipboard sharing | Shared clipboard supports most formats | Not established here; depends on the device | Product-dependent; not established here |
| Access control and encryption | Per-Client access control and optional AES encryption with a password | Not established here; depends on the device | Product-dependent; not established here |
| Switching method | Move the pointer across configured screen edges; Ctrl-Alt-Break returns to the Director |
Physical button or model-specific hotkey | Product-dependent |
| Elevated Windows windows | Requires the secure Windows 10 installation path for UIAccess control | Physical routing is model-dependent | Product-dependent |
| Installation and cost | Install on every computer; free only for personal, at-home, non-commercial use, with a commercial license required for business use | Requires purchasing compatible hardware; price not established here | License terms and setup not established here |
Use Input Director when the computers are Windows systems on a network and you want edge-based switching plus clipboard sharing without adding a physical switch. Consider a hardware KVM when network independence is more important than software clipboard features. For any alternative, verify its supported computer count, operating systems, switching behavior, elevated-window handling, encryption, access controls and license before deployment.
Quick Recap
Post-setup checklist
- Every computer has the same Input Director version and a working installation.
- The Director is identified, and every Client is saved in Client Systems.
- Each Client’s Security panel authorizes the intended Director or subnet.
- Screen positions match the physical monitor layout.
- TCP and UDP 31234, plus both Input Director executables, are permitted through third-party firewalls.
- Pointer switching, keyboard input, clipboard copy/paste and
Ctrl-Alt-Breakhave been tested. - AES encryption and a password are enabled on Clients that need protected keyboard, mouse and clipboard traffic.
- The license category matches the way the computers will be used.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
