Input Director
Input Director is a powerful Windows application that enables seamless sharing of a single keyboard and mouse across multiple Windows computers. It provides a convenient and efficient way to manage several systems simultaneously from one workstation, eliminating the need for multiple peripherals and reducing desktop clutter. Developed by Shane Richards
About Input Director
Input Director is a software solution designed to enhance productivity for users working with multiple Windows computers. It allows you to control several systems using a single keyboard and mouse connected to one designated 'master' computer. This eliminates frustration and inefficiency associated with switching between different input devices for each machine.
The application works by creating a network-based connection between the master system and 'slave' systems. Once configured, moving your mouse cursor to the edge of one screen seamlessly transitions control to the adjacent machine's screen. Keystrokes on the master keyboard are then directed to the active slave system.
Key features include:
* **Effortless Input Sharing:** Control up to 15 systems from a single keyboard and mouse.
* **Seamless Screen Transition:** Move your cursor freely between connected monitors, even with different resolutions.
* **Clipboard Sharing:** Copy and paste text and files directly between controlled computers.
* **Synchronization Options:** Optionally synchronize screen savers, lock screens, and system shutdown/reboot actions across all controlled systems.
* **Advanced Security:** Secure your connections with encryption and restrict access based on IP address or hostname.
* **Network Configuration Flexibility:** Support for various network setups and automatic discovery of systems.
Input Director is an ideal solution for professionals, developers, or anyone who regularly works with multiple Windows machines and wants to streamline their workflow by consolidating input devices.
The application works by creating a network-based connection between the master system and 'slave' systems. Once configured, moving your mouse cursor to the edge of one screen seamlessly transitions control to the adjacent machine's screen. Keystrokes on the master keyboard are then directed to the active slave system.
Key features include:
* **Effortless Input Sharing:** Control up to 15 systems from a single keyboard and mouse.
* **Seamless Screen Transition:** Move your cursor freely between connected monitors, even with different resolutions.
* **Clipboard Sharing:** Copy and paste text and files directly between controlled computers.
* **Synchronization Options:** Optionally synchronize screen savers, lock screens, and system shutdown/reboot actions across all controlled systems.
* **Advanced Security:** Secure your connections with encryption and restrict access based on IP address or hostname.
* **Network Configuration Flexibility:** Support for various network setups and automatic discovery of systems.
Input Director is an ideal solution for professionals, developers, or anyone who regularly works with multiple Windows machines and wants to streamline their workflow by consolidating input devices.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Seamlessly shares keyboard and mouse across multiple Windows systems.
- Significantly improves productivity when working with multiple computers.
- Reliable and stable performance on Windows.
- Includes valuable features like clipboard sharing and system synchronization.
- Offers security options for connections.
Cons
- Limited to Windows operating systems.
- User interface has a dated appearance.
- Minor compatibility issues can occasionally arise.
What Makes Input Director Stand Out
Streamlined Multi-System Workflow
Significantly improves efficiency when working with multiple Windows computers by eliminating the need to switch between different keyboards and mice.
Cost-Effective Peripheral Consolidation
Reduces the cost and clutter associated with having separate keyboards and mice for each computer.
Windows-Only Focus for Stability
Specifically designed for Windows operating systems, which can contribute to better stability and integration compared to cross-platform solutions.
What can Input Director do?
Review
Input Director is a highly effective software utility for users who frequently interact with multiple Windows computers simultaneously. Its core functionality of sharing a single keyboard and mouse across several systems is executed with a high degree of polish and reliability. The setup process is generally straightforward, requiring the installation of the application on each machine and the designation of one as the 'master' and the others as 'slaves'. Configuring the screen layout to accurately reflect the physical arrangement of monitors is intuitive through the user interface, allowing for seamless cursor transitions.
The primary benefit of Input Director lies in the increased productivity it affords. Moving the mouse to the edge of a screen and instantly having input control on another machine feels natural and significantly reduces the friction associated with managing multiple systems. The shared clipboard feature is particularly valuable, enabling quick and easy transfer of information, whether it's text snippets or files, between machines without resorting to network shares or cloud storage.
Beyond the basic input sharing, the synchronization options add a layer of convenience. The ability to synchronize screen savers or lock screens across all controlled systems provides a unified management experience. While seemingly minor, these features contribute to a more cohesive and less disjointed multi-system environment.
Security features, including connection encryption and access restrictions, are important considerations for users in networked environments and are well-implemented within Input Director. This allows users to control who can access their systems via the application.
One of the strengths of Input Director is its dedication to the Windows platform. While this limits its use in mixed-OS environments, it likely contributes to its stability and performance on Windows systems. The application remains lightweight and does not impose a significant load on system resources.
However, there are areas for potential improvement. While the feature set is robust for its core purpose, some users might desire more advanced features such as support for sharing audio devices or more granular control over individual system settings from the master machine. The user interface, while functional, has a somewhat dated appearance, although this does not detract from the application's usability.
Compatibility with various Windows versions is generally good, but as with any software interacting at a low level with the operating system, occasional conflicts with other applications or specific system configurations can occur. The documentation is helpful, but active community forums or more readily available troubleshooting resources could enhance the user experience for resolving less common issues.
In summary, Input Director is an excellent solution for anyone looking to optimize their workflow when using multiple Windows computers. Its reliable input sharing, seamless screen transitions, and convenient features like clipboard sharing make it a valuable tool for professionals and power users alike. While there are minor areas for refinement, its core functionality is solid and provides a significant return in terms of efficiency gains.
The primary benefit of Input Director lies in the increased productivity it affords. Moving the mouse to the edge of a screen and instantly having input control on another machine feels natural and significantly reduces the friction associated with managing multiple systems. The shared clipboard feature is particularly valuable, enabling quick and easy transfer of information, whether it's text snippets or files, between machines without resorting to network shares or cloud storage.
Beyond the basic input sharing, the synchronization options add a layer of convenience. The ability to synchronize screen savers or lock screens across all controlled systems provides a unified management experience. While seemingly minor, these features contribute to a more cohesive and less disjointed multi-system environment.
Security features, including connection encryption and access restrictions, are important considerations for users in networked environments and are well-implemented within Input Director. This allows users to control who can access their systems via the application.
One of the strengths of Input Director is its dedication to the Windows platform. While this limits its use in mixed-OS environments, it likely contributes to its stability and performance on Windows systems. The application remains lightweight and does not impose a significant load on system resources.
However, there are areas for potential improvement. While the feature set is robust for its core purpose, some users might desire more advanced features such as support for sharing audio devices or more granular control over individual system settings from the master machine. The user interface, while functional, has a somewhat dated appearance, although this does not detract from the application's usability.
Compatibility with various Windows versions is generally good, but as with any software interacting at a low level with the operating system, occasional conflicts with other applications or specific system configurations can occur. The documentation is helpful, but active community forums or more readily available troubleshooting resources could enhance the user experience for resolving less common issues.
In summary, Input Director is an excellent solution for anyone looking to optimize their workflow when using multiple Windows computers. Its reliable input sharing, seamless screen transitions, and convenient features like clipboard sharing make it a valuable tool for professionals and power users alike. While there are minor areas for refinement, its core functionality is solid and provides a significant return in terms of efficiency gains.
Screenshots
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Tags:
share-input-devices