Step-by-Step Guide: Direct Ethernet Connection for Two Windows PCs – Set Up LAN & Share Internet

As someone who’s used multiple computers for work long-term and values productivity, I know how essential it is to“control multiple devices with one keyboard and mouse.”But Mouse without Borders (Microsoft’s cross-PC input tool) often hits frustrations like lag and disconnections when used over Wi-Fi. Today, I’m sharing a tested-and-proven solution: build a dedicated local area network (LAN) via direct Ethernet connection. This fixes wireless latency and lets both PCs access the internet simultaneously—balancing stability and practicality perfectly.

1. Why Direct Ethernet? Pain Points in Multi-PC Workflows & Solutions

Wi-Fi is the most common way to connect multiple devices, but it has major drawbacks when paired with Mouse without Borders:

• Wi-Fi signals are easily interfered with, causing keyboard/mouse lag, cursor drift, and even worse stuttering when transferring files.
• Routers often allocate bandwidth unevenly. When multiple devices are online, Mouse without Borders gets low priority, slowing down response times.
• In environments with old routers or complex office networks, PCs struggle to detect each other on the LAN, leading to low pairing success rates.

A direct Ethernet connection eliminates these issues entirely:

• Wired transmission has latency under 1ms—zero lag for keyboard/mouse actions, matching the experience of using a single PC.
• A dedicated LAN avoids interference from other devices, ensuring rock-solid connectivity.
• Setup is simple (no router required), and the only cost is an Ethernet cable.
• Both PCs can access the internet at the same time, so daily tasks like work or downloads won’t be disrupted.

This guide works for: Two Windows PCs (Win10/11), scenarios where you need to share a keyboard/mouse with low latency, and require both devices to stay online (e.g., office multitasking, design work, live streaming with multiple screens).

2. Prep Work: Equipment & Tools Checklist

To set up“direct Ethernet + shared input + dual-PC internet access,”confirm these prerequisites first to avoid mistakes:

Hardware Requirements

• Two Windows PCs (hereafter called“Host PC A”and“Client PC B”):
  • Host PC A needs two network adapters: One for internet access (can be Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and the other must be an Ethernet adapter (for direct connection to Client PC B).
  • Client PC B needs at least one Ethernet adapter.
• One Ethernet cable: Cat5e or Cat6 cables work (no cross-over cable needed—modern Windows systems support auto-negotiation). Choose a length based on how far apart your PCs are (1–3 meters is recommended to avoid transmission issues).
• Optional accessory: If your PC lacks Ethernet ports, use a USB Gigabit Ethernet adapter (ensure it’s plug-and-play to avoid driver compatibility problems).

Software Requirements

• Latest version of Mouse without Borders on both PCs: Install it by following our previous article: “Mouse Without Borders: The Ultimate Windows Multi-PC Keyboard & Mouse Sharing Tool (Installation + Tips + Troubleshooting)”. Ensure both PCs use the same version to avoid compatibility errors.
• Disable third-party firewalls (e.g., 360 Security, Huorong Firewall). Keep Windows Defender Firewall enabled (we’ll configure exception rules later).

3. Step-by-Step Implementation: From Network Setup to Input Pairing

Step 1: Physical Connection & Internet Access for Host PC A (Core Setup)

1. First, get Host PC A online:
   • If using Wi-Fi: Connect to your home/office Wi-Fi network.
   • If using a wired connection: Plug your internet Ethernet cable into one of Host PC A’s Ethernet ports (label this the“Internet Adapter”). Confirm it works by browsing the web or downloading a file.
2. Connect the two PCs directly:
   • Use your Ethernet cable to plug one end into Host PC A’s other Ethernet port (label this the“LAN Adapter”) and the other end into Client PC B’s Ethernet port.
3. Verify the physical connection:
   • After connecting, the Ethernet port lights on both PCs should blink (a steady green light means the connection is successful; a blinking yellow light means data is being transmitted). If no lights turn on, try a different cable or Ethernet port.

Step 2: Configure LAN on Host PC A (Key: Share Internet + Static IP)

The core logic here: Share Host PC A’s internet with its LAN Adapter, and set a static IP so Client PC B can connect stably.

1. Open network sharing settings:
   • Press Win+R, type“control,”and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
   • Go to Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
   • Find Host PC A’s“Internet Adapter”(labeled“Wi-Fi”for wireless,“Ethernet”for wired). Right-click it and select Properties.
2. Enable internet sharing:
   • In the Properties window, switch to the Sharing tab.
   • Check the box: “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
   • From the dropdown menu, select Host PC A’s“LAN Adapter”(the one connected to Client PC B). Click OK.
   • A pop-up will say“Internet Connection Sharing has been enabled”—click OK. (Note: The LAN Adapter will automatically get a default IP of 192.168.137.1; we’ll optimize this manually next.)

1. Set a static IP for the LAN Adapter:
   • In the“Network Connections”window, right-click Host PC A’s“LAN Adapter”and select Properties.
   • Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and double-click it to open its properties.

1. Select “Use the following IP address” and enter these details:
   • IP Address: 192.168.1.1 (you can use any same-subnet IP, e.g., 192.168.0.1—just avoid conflicts with your internet IP).
   • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Default Gateway: Leave blank (Client PC B will use Host PC A’s LAN IP as its gateway).
   • DNS Servers: Enter public DNS (e.g., 223.5.5.5 or 8.8.8.8) for more stable internet access.
2. Click OK to save. Host PC A’s LAN Adapter now has a static IP and is ready to share internet.

Step 3: Configure Network on Client PC B (Join LAN + Access Internet)

Client PC B will get an IP from Host PC A’s LAN Adapter and use the shared internet. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Client PC B’s network settings:
   • Follow the same steps as Host PC A: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
   • Find the Ethernet adapter connected to Host PC A. Right-click it and select Properties.
2. Configure TCP/IPv4:
   • Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
   • Select “Use the following IP address” and enter details in the same subnet as Host PC A (no conflicts!):
     • IP Address: 192.168.1.2 (the last number must differ from Host PC A—use 2–254).
     • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 (match Host PC A).
     • Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (must be Host PC A’s LAN IP—otherwise, no internet access).
     • DNS Servers: Match Host PC A (e.g., 223.5.5.5 or 8.8.8.8).
   • Click OK to save. Wait 30 seconds—Client PC B will automatically join the LAN and access the shared internet.
3. Verify network connectivity:
   • Open Command Prompt (CMD) on Client PC B. Type (Host PC A’s LAN IP) and press Enter.ping 192.168.1.1
   • If you see“Reply from 192.168.1.1,”the LAN connection is successful.
   • Open a browser and visit Baidu or Google. If pages load normally, internet sharing works.

Step 4: Set Up Mouse without Borders

Once the network is ready, pair Mouse without Borders to optimize stability and avoid lag.

For detailed pairing steps (including security codes and connection tweaks), refer to our previous article: “Mouse Without Borders: The Ultimate Windows Multi-PC Keyboard & Mouse Sharing Tool (Installation + Tips + Troubleshooting)”.

4. Troubleshooting: Fix 90% of Common Issues

Issue 1: Client PC B can’t ping Host PC A

• Check firewalls: On both PCs, open Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app through firewall. Add“Mouse without Borders”to the allowed list.
• Verify IP settings: Ensure both PCs are on the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x), with matching subnet masks and correct gateways.
• Replace the cable: Low-quality cables can cause physical connection failures—use a reputable brand.

Issue 2: Pairing succeeds, but keyboard/mouse don’t work

• Disable third-party security tools: Tools like 360 Security may block Mouse without Borders’protocol. Temporarily turn them off and retry.
• Restart the Mouse without Borders service: Open CMD and type , then . Re-pair after restarting.net stop MouseWithoutBordersnet start MouseWithoutBorders
• Ensure matching versions: Uninstall Mouse without Borders from both PCs and download the latest version from Microsoft’s official source.

Issue 3: Client PC B joins the LAN but has no internet

• Check Host PC A’s sharing settings: Confirm the“Allow other network users…”box is checked, and the correct LAN Adapter is selected.
• Restart the ICS service: Press Win+R, type“services.msc,”and press Enter. Find“Internet Connection Sharing (ICS),”right-click it, and select Restart.
• Verify DNS settings: Wrong DNS causes webpage loading failures. Use public DNS like 223.5.5.5 or 119.29.29.29.

5. Conclusion: Core Benefits & Use Cases of Direct Ethernet

The combination of direct Ethernet and Mouse without Borders solves laggy cross-PC input and ensures both PCs stay online. Here’s why it stands out:

• Stability: Wired connections have 100% pairing success, zero lag, and no disconnections.
• Low cost: Only an Ethernet cable is needed—no extra routers or switches.
• Ease of use: Clear steps, one-time setup, and long-term reliability.
• Scalability: Expand to 3–4 PCs by adding more Ethernet adapters to Host PC A or using a switch.

Ideal use cases:

• Office workers (multitasking with documents across screens).
• Designers (one PC for creating, one for research).
• Gamers (one PC for gaming, one for live streaming or guides).
• Developers (one PC for coding, one for testing).

If you’re tired of switching between keyboards/mice or dealing with Wi-Fi lag, give this method a try—it’ll boost your productivity significantly. If you run into issues during setup, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll help you troubleshoot!