How to switch monitor input without the buttons / Galactrex

The short answer

Most monitors let a computer change their input over the video cable, through a standard called DDC/CI. Moniswitch uses it to switch inputs from Windows with a shortcut, so you never reach for the buttons behind the screen. It is free and MIT open source.

Set it up

Download Moniswitch for Windows 10 or 11 from its GitHub Releases page. It needs the .NET 8 Desktop Runtime.

Moniswitch reads the inputs each monitor reports. Pick the input you want for each screen and switch it. Every monitor moves on its own, so one screen can show the other computer while the rest stay on Windows.

Save the routes you use

Save a multi-monitor route, for example both screens on the other computer, and recall it from the window, the tray or a quick-route shortcut. One shortcut then moves the whole desk.

Moniswitch runs without telemetry, analytics, an account, an updater or a cloud service. Private view hides connection details by default.

When it will not work

The monitor and its connection path both have to support DDC/CI input selection. A dock, adapter or switch between the computer and the screen is part of that path. If a monitor ignores the command, test it on a direct cable.

Each computer you switch to still needs its own video cable connected to the monitor. Moniswitch changes which input the monitor shows; it does not send video between computers.