Mouse without borders

Question

mouse clicks don't work on second machine when using Mouse without borders

Answer 1

Hi Gramps Heffron,

Thanks for your patience so far. Since the initial checks suggested by Q&A Assist already cover connection status, layout, and service settings, the steps below focus on further isolating focus and input behavior that can affect mouse clicks on the second machine:

Step 1: Force foreground focus on the second machine

Sometimes the cursor moves across devices, but the active window does not fully receive mouse input.

• On the second machine, open a basic desktop app such as Notepad or File Explorer.
• If possible, click inside that window once using a local mouse.
• Then try clicking again using Mouse Without Borders.

This helps ensure a standard app has active focus before testing forwarded input.

Step 2: Fully restart PowerToys on both machines

Refreshing the connection alone may not reset input handling.

• Close PowerToys completely on both machines, including from the system tray.
• Reopen PowerToys on both devices.
• Once Mouse Without Borders reconnects, test mouse clicks again.

Step 3: Confirm both machines are on the same PowerToys version

Input behavior can be inconsistent if versions differ.

• Open PowerToys > Settings > General on both machines.
• Verify that the PowerToys version number matches.
• If one machine is behind, update it, restart PowerToys, and test again.

Step 4: Temporarily rule out software that may intercept input

Some applications can capture mouse clicks before Mouse Without Borders receives them.

• Temporarily close or disable:
  • Remote desktop or screen‑sharing tools
  • Virtual machine software
  • Mouse utilities with macros or gesture features
  • Overlay or screen‑capture tools
• Test mouse clicks again after disabling these apps.

Please let me know if you notice a specific pattern where this happens or if the behavior changes, I'm happy to help further.

---

If you have additional questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: If you want to receive email notifications about this thread, follow the steps in our documentation to enable email notifications.

Answer 2

Mouse Without Borders can control keyboard and mouse across up to four machines, but clicks may fail on the second machine if there are connection or focus issues.

Use these checks and settings:

1. Confirm connection status
   • In PowerToys → Mouse Without Borders, check the device status color for the second machine.
   • The second machine must show Connected (Green). If another color appears (Error, Timeout, etc.), the connection is not healthy.
   • If not connected:
     • Make sure both machines are on the same network.
     • Verify the Security key and computer host name are correct on both machines.
     • Select Refresh connections.
     • If needed, use Add a firewall rule for Mouse Without Borders so the firewall does not block input.
2. Check layout and switching behavior
   • In Device layout, confirm the second machine is placed correctly relative to the first. If the layout is wrong, the pointer may appear to move but not actually be on the second machine.
   • If using Easy Mouse, verify that switching is actually occurring when crossing the screen edge (or when using Shift/Ctrl if configured). If the mouse only visually “bumps” the edge, clicks will still go to the first machine.
3. Fullscreen and focus issues
   • If the second machine has a fullscreen Remote Desktop, VM, or simulator window focused, keyboard/mouse focus may not follow correctly.
   • Workaround from known issues:
     • Enable Hide mouse at screen's edge in Mouse Without Borders settings, or
     • Switch focus to a non‑fullscreen window on the second machine and test clicks again.
4. Service mode and elevated apps
   • If clicks fail only on UAC prompts, lock screen, or elevated apps on the second machine, install Mouse Without Borders as a service:
     • Run PowerToys as administrator.
     • Turn on Use Service in Mouse Without Borders.
   • This allows control of elevated applications and the lock screen from another computer. Be aware this increases control and therefore security risk.
5. General mouse troubleshooting on the second machine
   • Confirm the second machine’s own mouse input works locally:
     • Test a physical mouse directly on the second machine.
     • If the cursor does not move or click locally, follow standard mouse troubleshooting:
       • Unplug and re‑plug the mouse or receiver.
       • Try a different USB port or remove any USB hub.
       • Check for cable damage or low batteries.
       • Update mouse drivers via Windows Update or Device Manager.

If, after these steps, the second machine shows Connected (Green) and local mouse input works, but clicks from Mouse Without Borders still fail, re‑generate a New key on the first machine and reconnect the second machine using that new key, then test again.

---

References:

• Mouse Without Borders
• Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows