KVM Switch sharing Windows 10 & Windows 11.
Thread Starter
KVM Switch sharing Windows 10 & Windows 11.
Is anyone using a KVM to switch between W10 Pro and W11 Pro computers on a single screen, if so, were there any set-up problems?
I don't want to waste money on a box that doesn't support the combination and Google hasn't thrown much information up on the subject. I'm looking at StarTech switches as they seem to be a higher quality than most of what's being sold on eBay and sent them an enquiry about the compatibility but haven't received a reply thus far.
My desk's getting a bit cluttered with two screens and double mouse and keyboards at the moment.
I don't want to waste money on a box that doesn't support the combination and Google hasn't thrown much information up on the subject. I'm looking at StarTech switches as they seem to be a higher quality than most of what's being sold on eBay and sent them an enquiry about the compatibility but haven't received a reply thus far.
My desk's getting a bit cluttered with two screens and double mouse and keyboards at the moment.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
I've been using a JideTech 2-port DVI KVM switch between my work laptop on a docking station and my home desktop PC. Both are Windows 10. I've had very few problems over the last 3 years (since covid I've been working from home). There's a small lag (about 5-6 seconds) when switching from laptop to desktop because of the search order HDMI / VGA / DVI, and of course my desktop is DVI (why it has to search for VGA and HDMI when it doesn't have those ports I don't know).
It seems like a pretty generic device - very similar to an Aten that I use for a Win 7 and Linux PC setup. It has been very reliable - more so than the Lindy device I used initially, which failed after a few months - I eventually got a replacement out of them, but not before I had bought the one I'm using now. I bought both the Aten and the JideTech 2nd hand from ebay, and they have both been more reliable than the Lindy switch I bought brand new, and cost half as much! There's a lesson there somewhere!
Maybe 2-3 times over the last few years it's failed to pick up the desktop when I've had to restart it from cold, as it were, which necessitates connecting the keyboard & monitor to the PC then putting them back to the switch once the PC has booted (I have a power-on password). Once was after a complete power failure to the area, so the KVM was also switched off, which probably didn't help.
I quickly found the setup indispensable and wouldn't be without it - having said that, I'll be retiring in a few weeks so will no longer have my work laptop, so I won't be needing it much longer.
The operating system shouldn't really have anything to do with the operation of the KVM in manual mode - i.e. using the physical switches on the KVM to toggle between PCs. There are various keyboard shortcuts supported that may only work with Windows that may not work with other OSs, but I've never needed to use anything other than the switches on the KVM itself.
It seems like a pretty generic device - very similar to an Aten that I use for a Win 7 and Linux PC setup. It has been very reliable - more so than the Lindy device I used initially, which failed after a few months - I eventually got a replacement out of them, but not before I had bought the one I'm using now. I bought both the Aten and the JideTech 2nd hand from ebay, and they have both been more reliable than the Lindy switch I bought brand new, and cost half as much! There's a lesson there somewhere!
Maybe 2-3 times over the last few years it's failed to pick up the desktop when I've had to restart it from cold, as it were, which necessitates connecting the keyboard & monitor to the PC then putting them back to the switch once the PC has booted (I have a power-on password). Once was after a complete power failure to the area, so the KVM was also switched off, which probably didn't help.
I quickly found the setup indispensable and wouldn't be without it - having said that, I'll be retiring in a few weeks so will no longer have my work laptop, so I won't be needing it much longer.
The operating system shouldn't really have anything to do with the operation of the KVM in manual mode - i.e. using the physical switches on the KVM to toggle between PCs. There are various keyboard shortcuts supported that may only work with Windows that may not work with other OSs, but I've never needed to use anything other than the switches on the KVM itself.
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info, Saab. I received a reply from StarTech customer services this morning to the effect that the model I was thinking of buying needed USB C connections on both computers and there had to be DisplayPort Alt Mode, which I'd never heard of. Only one of my machines had a USB C socket, so I regrettably had to forget their KVM, as they're apparently very good. Interestingly, they said that Windows versions had no effect on their operation, which is as you said. So much for the adverse reports I read.
I looked around for a JideTech unit based on your experience but there was nothing on this side of the Atlantic* and eventually decided on a Greathtech from Amazon (despite its ridiculous name) as it was only £30.00 and had good reviews from various sources.
It arrives on Monday so I'll find out first-hand.
While I'm here, after my first week with Windows 11, I'm Not Impressed. The navigation has been needlessly complicated by the 'bean-bag' developers and it'll be a nightmare for occasional 'mature' users who've gently moved through the previous Windows versions. And I still prefer MS Office 2003 compared to Office 2019 and its ribbon options. I suppose I'm a latter-day Luddite.
*Just seen that Amazon now have the JideTech in stock!
I looked around for a JideTech unit based on your experience but there was nothing on this side of the Atlantic* and eventually decided on a Greathtech from Amazon (despite its ridiculous name) as it was only £30.00 and had good reviews from various sources.
It arrives on Monday so I'll find out first-hand.
While I'm here, after my first week with Windows 11, I'm Not Impressed. The navigation has been needlessly complicated by the 'bean-bag' developers and it'll be a nightmare for occasional 'mature' users who've gently moved through the previous Windows versions. And I still prefer MS Office 2003 compared to Office 2019 and its ribbon options. I suppose I'm a latter-day Luddite.
*Just seen that Amazon now have the JideTech in stock!
Last edited by stevef; 24th Feb 2023 at 20:16.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
Yes, most KVM switches now assume HDMI or display port, probably not unreasonable really; USB C is definitely the standard now, but adapters for all of these are available. I've got a laptop output via HDMI with an adapter into the DVI socket on the KVM. What video interface are you using?
Interesting to read your feedback on Windows 11 - I've not touched it yet (likely never will, hopefully, as I'm retiring shortly and will be using Linux at home in preference to Windows). I'm OK with Win 10 Pro on my work laptop, but certainly wouldn't want to use Home edition on my own PCs. When MS decided that they wanted a common UI for mobiles, PCs and Servers I think they utterly lost the plot. Charm Bar on Server 2012 - what were they thinking?
Having used Office 2016 now for several years, and Office 2010 before that, I really think they are light years ahead of Office 2003 - believe me you get used to the ribbons quickly, and they are customisable to some extent.
Interesting to read your feedback on Windows 11 - I've not touched it yet (likely never will, hopefully, as I'm retiring shortly and will be using Linux at home in preference to Windows). I'm OK with Win 10 Pro on my work laptop, but certainly wouldn't want to use Home edition on my own PCs. When MS decided that they wanted a common UI for mobiles, PCs and Servers I think they utterly lost the plot. Charm Bar on Server 2012 - what were they thinking?
Having used Office 2016 now for several years, and Office 2010 before that, I really think they are light years ahead of Office 2003 - believe me you get used to the ribbons quickly, and they are customisable to some extent.
