Monitor Input Keys for Windows

Put your monitor input switch on a Stream Deck key. Switch input between HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C from one key instead of the on-screen menu, and see the current input source right on the key. Made for a desk shared by a PC, a work laptop and a game console. On a dual monitor desk, Switch Several Monitors moves several monitors to the laptop from one key, each to its own input. It works like the video half of a KVM switch, through the cable you already use, over DDC/CI on Windows. It also sets brightness, contrast and the monitor's volume, with keys or a Stream Deck + dial.

What you can do

Switch Input: one key per input. DisplayPort 1/2, HDMI 1/2, USB-C, DVI, VGA, or any input code your monitor uses

Switch Several Monitors: up to four monitors on one key, each to the input you pick, say the left one to USB-C, the right one to HDMI 2. The monitors switch one after the other. If one does not answer, the others still switch

Cycle Inputs: one key steps through the inputs you tick

Brightness and Contrast: step a monitor's brightness or contrast up or down, or set a level you pick, say 30% at night

Volume: step the volume of the monitor's own speakers or headphone jack, set a level, or mute and unmute

Dial on Stream Deck +: turn for brightness, push for contrast, tap the strip for your own level. Or set it to volume: turn, and push to mute

Multi Actions: every key can be a step of a Multi Action (set an input key to one press), so one press switches your screens and an audio device or a USB switch

Identify: shows each display's number on its screen, so you know which monitor is which while you set up keys

Missing a key you need? Tell us through the Support link. The most requested ones go into the next version.

What the key shows

The monitor's current input, and a green frame when it is on the key's input

Two presses by default: the first shows where the monitor will go, a second within 3 seconds switches, so a stray press leaves your screen as it is. One press can be set per key

After a switch, whether the monitor confirmed the new input or left this PC

If a monitor does not answer DDC/CI, the key says so and its settings show the Windows error

The input list marks the inputs each monitor reports

Level keys show the level now. A setting out of range (say 150%) is never sent: the key turns red and its settings mark the field

English and Japanese

Privacy

Runs entirely on your PC. No account, no online service, no telemetry.

Writes only the input, brightness, contrast and volume (VCP 0x60, 0x10, 0x12, 0x62), no other monitor setting.

Requirements

Windows 10 or later, Stream Deck app 6.9 or later, Windows PowerShell 5.1 (part of Windows; some company PCs block it)

A monitor with DDC/CI turned on in its menu (most desktop monitors have it)

Limitations

Over DisplayPort and USB-C, a monitor usually leaves this PC after it switches. Switch it back from the other device or with the monitor's buttons. Over HDMI many monitors stay visible, and a second key switches back

Some monitors switch but do not report their current input; the key then shows "now ?"

Laptop screens, and many docks, adapters, KVM switches and DisplayLink connections, do not pass DDC/CI. Connect the monitor directly

Monitors chained from one DisplayPort output (daisy chain) may all leave this PC when the first one switches. If yours do, put the last monitor of the chain in the first row of Switch Several Monitors

Some monitors do not let a PC change brightness, contrast or volume; the key then says so. These are the monitor's own settings, not Windows night light or volume. Volume needs monitor speakers or a headphone jack

A monitor on a duplicated display is not switched or changed. Use "Extend" in the Windows display settings

Switches the screen only: keyboard and mouse stay with this PC

Idea or bug? Use the Support link. Every message is read.

New Volume key: step the volume of a monitor's own speakers or headphone jack up or down, set a level you pick, or mute and unmute. The key shows the volume now; a second press of Mute goes back to the volume before. The Stream Deck + dial has a new Volume choice: turn for the volume, push or touch to mute and unmute. On a monitor with only a few levels, every brightness, contrast or volume step and every dial tick now moves at least one level. Input keys work as before.