For Windows to Windows, InputDirector works flawlessly and is free (but not OSS) for home usage. Barrier works OK, works between MacOS and Windows (where it's the only free choice), but not so stable, has issues with non-English, and latest binary is not signed and no checksum is given on GH. The PowerToy thing just didn't work for me, it's not a finished product but a toy.

Have been using InputDirector to combine a desktop and a laptop everyday for the last 6+ months and am very happy with it.

> where it's the only free choice

Doesn't Synergy do the same thing, is open source and works on basically all platforms? (I'm talking about Synergy 1, Synergy 2 is a shitshow and I don't know how it's licensed)

Isn't Barrier a free OSS Synergy? The Synergy I know is paid, 49 for the option with encryption. I even wanted to buy, but rebooted my MacBookAir back in Windows (which I use 99% of time). For the 1% of time Barrier is fine.

Barrier is a fork of Synergy 1. It works better than synergy 1 anecdotally.

For only windows, InputDirector is a lot better when I used it 5+ years ago against barrier or synergy 1.

Just make sure you are on an ethernet cable. On wifi it lags a little.

One is open source and updated, and includes encryption.

The other one is a viable alternative.

If you don't care about privacy

The proposed software is written by the OS manufacturer. If you’re using their OS, you’ve already made your peace with their position, or have taken the necessary steps to mitigate it.

But it’s Microsoft making it for Microsoft’s OS. You already trust Microsoft enough to use them. Privacy isn’t an issue here.