Switch your monitor’s video input and seamlessly transfer text and files! A Linux/macOS/Windows Desktop Application.
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Which is more popular?
Based on our record, Barrier
seems to be a lot more popular than ShellNewHandler.
While we know about 349 links to Barrier,
we've tracked only 2 mentions of ShellNewHandler.
social mentions
349 vs 2
Remote PC Access popularity
100% vs 0%
Base details
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
Cross-Platform Support Barrier works on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, making it versatile for users with multiple devices.
Open Source Being open source, users can review and modify the code, contributing to transparency and security while fostering a community-driven project.
Cost-Free Barrier is free to use, unlike some alternatives that require purchasing a license, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Unified Control Allows seamless control of multiple computers using a single keyboard and mouse, enhancing productivity and convenience.
Customizability Offers various customization options such as hotkeys, screen edges, and clipboard sharing, adapting to user-specific workflows.
Possible disadvantages
Setup Complexity Initial setup can be complex for non-technical users, involving network configurations and firewall adjustments.
Compatibility Issues Occasional compatibility problems with certain versions of operating systems or hardware, potentially requiring troubleshooting.
Lag and Latency Users may experience slight lag or latency, especially over wireless networks, which can affect the fluidity of control.
Limited Technical Support As a community-driven project, it lacks the dedicated support of commercial alternatives, relying mostly on community forums for help.
Security Concerns Network-based connectivity might expose systems to security risks if not properly configured, necessitating careful network management.
No features have been listed yet.
Analysis
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.
BarrierShellNewHandler
Overall verdict
Barrier is generally considered a good option for individuals looking for an open-source solution to seamlessly share peripherals across multiple computers. It has a positive reception within the tech community, especially among those who value open-source projects for their flexibility and community-driven support.
Why this product is good
Barrier is an open-source software application that allows users to share a single keyboard and mouse setup across multiple computers, which can be particularly useful for those who use multiple machines for work or development. It is a fork of the earlier project Synergy and focuses on providing a simpler, streamlined setup process with improved stability. The software is lightweight, easy to configure, and supports cross-platform functionality (Windows, macOS, and Linux), making it versatile for different operating systems.
Recommended for
Users with multiple computers who want to use a single keyboard and mouse setup.
Cross-platform users who work with Windows, macOS, and Linux machines.
Developers and IT professionals seeking open-source tools for better control over their working environment.
Individuals who prefer community-driven projects and are comfortable with a more hands-on approach to software setup and troubleshooting.
Overall verdict
ShellNewHandler is a niche, lightweight utility hosted on SourceForge designed to give users more control over the Windows 'New' context menu (the ShellNew menu). It can be considered good for its specific narrow use case, but it is an older, minimally maintained tool that may not suit all users, especially those on modern Windows versions.
Why this product is good
Provides direct control over customizing the Windows right-click 'New' menu, allowing users to add or remove file type entries
Lightweight and free, without bundled bloatware typical of some other free utilities
Simple and focused in scope, making it easy to understand for its specific purpose
Open distribution via SourceForge allows transparency and no-cost access
Recommended for
Power users who want to declutter or customize the Windows New context menu
IT administrators managing standardized desktop environments across multiple machines
Users comfortable with older utility-style tools and Windows registry-related tweaks
Not recommended for casual users seeking modern, actively supported software with regular updates
For Barrier to work, all that is needed is a network connection. You can also copy content from one clipboard to another between computers. Like all other software that let you work on multiple computers, Barrier too...
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.
Barrier349 mentionsShellNewHandler2 mentions
Starlink from 1984
You kind of can do this already with a raspberry pi strapped to the back of a monitor and "barrier", the successor to synergy, to use the keyboard and pointing device of your laptop on as many displays on the same desk as you want. Each...
- Source: Hacker News
/
4 months ago
So I made a WebRTC powered VNC client in Vue/Rust 🦀
I used to and still do use and recommend Barrier for sharing a mouse and clipboard and keypresses across OS's. It works for Mac, Windows, and Linux. They have a fork input-leap... It doesn't work, and there is a paid on from the same...
- Source: dev.to
/
about 2 years ago
I recently got libreoffice, but now the new option in right click looks like a mess. Can someone help me get rid of them please?
Use Shell New Handler. Run the portable app and simply untick the items you don't want to appear in your new context menu.
Source:
about 4 years ago
This menu should be easy to add/remove programs to... Who is really creating Access Databases from this menu often enough to keep it here? (Not me!) Is there an easy way to edit this?
I've always used ShellNewHandler for this. It's a really simple portable utility that allows you to remove most of the items from that menu. Tested it out on Windows 11 and it's still compatible.
Source:
over 5 years ago
Alternatives to Barrier and ShellNewHandler
When comparing Barrier and ShellNewHandler, you can also consider the following products.
With its easy setup and high level of versatility, ShareMouse is a great tool if you're looking to use a single mouse and keyboard across multiple computers.
UltraMon is a piece of software built to help with the management of multiple screens on the same computer system. Without software like this, taking full advantage of an expanded desktop space can be difficult.
Synergy
Input Director
ShareMouse
Input Leap
DisplayFusion
Ultramon
Actual Multiple Monitors
