KVM software, virtual machine or something else?

chipp

I will shortly be replacing my 8 year old Win10 desktop with a much higher spec Win11 one.  I am hoping that some of the antique software I use will still work on the new one, but if it doesn't and I can't find acceptable replacements, then on the face of it I have two options, but please feel free to come up with any practical and inexpensive alternatives.

(1) install the incompatible software onto a Win7 or Win10 virtual machine on the new computer.

(2) continue to use the old computer for certain tasks.  

Whichever route I take, I would like to be able to use just one monitor, keyboard and mouse to do this and most importantly have the antique software displaying on the same monitor and at the same time as the Win11 compatible software running on my shiny new computer.

For the "continue using the old machine" option I've been considering KVM software.  I've experimented with Mouse Without Borders and Input Director using an old 32 bit Win7 machine and my current 64 bit Win10 one.  Neither package seems to have the ability to display the screens of both machines on the same monitor at the same time.  I don't have a tame teenager to ask, if I'm doing something fundamentally wrong can someone here give me idiot-proof instructions please!

Regarding a VM, I've no experience of setting up or using same.  I considered it as a way to use 32 bit software that wouldn't run on my existing 64 bit machine, but was told it was a non-starter so didn't pursue it.  How complicated to set up and use, and would I be able to see my antique software running in the VM on the same screen at the same time as other software that isn't running on the VM?

Something else that may be helpful is that my monitor has two HDMI inputs so presumably I will be able to connect both computers to one monitor.  I've not been able to try this yet, the old Win7 machine doesn't have HDMI and the HDMI monitor doesn't have VGA.  The instructions on how to split the screen refer to menu items that I don't seem to have, but this may be because the monitor knows I only have a single machine connected at the moment.  It's an AOC 27G4X for anyone who's interested (no I'm not a gamer, I just needed a bigger monitor and it was a good price!). 

If I am able to connect two computers to the single monitor, and configure a split screen satisfactorily, I'd still like to be able to control both computers with one keyboard and mouse.  Thinking out loud, perhaps MWB or ID would work in this scenario, is anybody able to confirm?  And what happens when the old computer isn't on, do I end up looking at half a screen until I fiddle around with the display input buttons?

I remember when high tech was a transistor radio.  Sometimes I long for those days.

jshm2

You can continue using your Win 10 machine over the network using remote desktop software like Chrome Remote desktop, Teamviewer or Anydesk

It's a better option instead of outright KVM software or turning your old machine into a VM to run on your newer machine. 

You only need one monitor and don't need to plug in a monitor to the old machine once you've set it up to run as a remote client. 

I do that with 4 servers connected to 1 pc over the network. The 4 servers do not have a monitor or keyboard.  

chipp

Thanks jshm2.  I briefly wondered about Teamviewer as I have used it in the past (sorting out my late Dad's computer problems), but my recollection of it is that you needed to key in some sort of password to allow it to access the computer you're remoting-in on.  Since your servers don't have monitors or keyboards that suggests there must be a setting whereby it's permanently enabled within a trusted network.  Things have obviously moved on!

Ergates

It might take a small amount of work and/or be a bit of a faff, but you could remove the hard drive from your old machine and install it in the new one, and make the new one dual boot.

You'd probably have ot re-register the windows 10 install (as the motherboard would have changed) but if you have the key from the original install that should still work.

Thats basically what I've done with my machine (though my desktop is in the "Trigger's broom" category)

Vitor

It's very, very unlikely programs that run OK on Windows 10 will fail on Windows 11. However, there's the compatibility mode to try before going down the path of VMs etc. - Make older apps or programs compatible with the latest version of Windows - Microsoft Support

Also, if you want to operate one machine from another, and you have licensed Windows 10 Pro not home, there's Remote Desktop Connection which as it says lets you operate one machine from another, either showing the remote system full screen or in a window. How to use Remote Desktop - Microsoft Support

jshm2

chipp said:

Thanks jshm2.  I briefly wondered about Teamviewer as I have used it in the past (sorting out my late Dad's computer problems), but my recollection of it is that you needed to key in some sort of password to allow it to access the computer you're remoting-in on.  Since your servers don't have monitors or keyboards that suggests there must be a setting whereby it's permanently enabled within a trusted network.  Things have obviously moved on!

You can run Teamviewer in "unattended" mode and it logs you in without the password requirement. A bit of a faff setting it up initially, (hence the preference for UltraVNC, Anydesk, Google remote etc etc) but it works ok.

I don't use it much as it's a bit traffic heavy and clunky over a network. But it is simple to use hence why a lot of corporations rely on it. 

onomatopoeia99

I do development work and use Windows 11. I am yet to find a piece of software that runs on Windows 10 that won't run on Windows 11.

Caveat : If your Windows 10 install was 32 bit and your Windows 11 64 bit then you will find that any 16 bit software you still have from the previous millenium won't run on Windows 11, but that has been the case since Microsoft started providing 64 bit OS builds with XP and removed the NTVDM subsystem from them.

So, is your Windows 10 machine 32 bit? If it has 4GB RAM or less it might be.  If it isn't you are unlikely to need to worry, if it is then first try to install your "antique software" on the new machine and if anything can't be made to work, then using RDP to access the old machine from your new machine would be my approach.

LeafGreen

I work from home so have my work computer + my personal one set up to use the same keyboard, mouse and monitors (I have a dual screen setup).
I use a USB KVM splitter box which works pretty well for me - no software/power lead required - on one side there are 2 USB ports, one going to each PC, the other side has 4 USB ports where I plug in keyboard / mouse / other USB devices, then there is a toggle button which flip flops the connected devices between the computers.
Monitors don't go through this box, single screen would be simpler and good if that single screen has 2 HDMI ports, just plug both PCs in then toggle with the monitor controls when swapping between them.  With my 2 monitors I have a HDMI + DisplayPort or VGA from each PC going to each monitor.  With that I could in theory have my work on one screen and personal stuff on the other, and flip between them with the KVM switch button.