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Can two people use one PC at the same time? Yes, on Windows.

Yes. Two people can use one Windows PC at the same time when each has their own screen, keyboard and mouse and the PC gives each of them a separate Windows session. Windows can't do that by itself. Hydra Multi-Seat, multiseat software for Windows 10 and 11, adds it.

One PC, a seat for everyone: Hydra Multi-Seat in under two minutes.

The ways to share one PC, side by side

Each way to share one PC, compared on what the person gets, their Windows account, graphics speed, extra hardware and setup.

	What each person gets	Own Windows account	Graphics speed	Extra hardware	Setup
Split-screen	Part of one shared screen	No, one shared desktop	One game, drawn once for everyone	None	Built into each game
A second PC	A whole PC of their own	Yes	Their own graphics card	Another tower and more parts	Another PC to set up, update and look after
Game streaming to another device	A second device showing the PC's picture	No, they see the host PC's session	Compressed video sent over your network	A second device for each extra person	A second device plus the streaming setup
Virtual machines	A separate virtual Windows PC with its own screen	Yes	Full speed needs a graphics card of its own for each virtual machine	A graphics card for each person	BIOS and host setup, meant for very technical users
Multiseat with Hydra	Their own screen, keyboard, mouse and sound	Yes, all at the same time	Full speed, straight from the PC's own card	A screen, keyboard and mouse for each person	Handed out in the Hydra panel

Taking turns costs nothing and leaves somebody waiting. Two pointers on one desktop put both people in the same Windows session and account on the same screen. For the full comparison, see ways to share one PC. For a plain definition of multiseat, read what multiseat is.

Why Hydra gives each person a whole PC

With Hydra, every person signs in to their own Windows account and has their own desktop, apps, files and saves. One can finish homework while the other plays a game, and nobody sees the other's windows. Nothing is streamed: every screen plugs straight into the PC.

What you need

Windows 10 and 11 (x64).
A graphics card from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
For each person, a screen, a keyboard and a mouse.
Game controllers, headsets and webcams work too: give each seat its own.

Two people is the classic setup, and three or more work the same way: add a screen, a keyboard and a mouse for each extra person.

How it goes

Install Hydra on your PC like any Windows app, then plug in a screen, keyboard and mouse per person.
In the Hydra panel, give each seat its screen, keyboard, mouse and sound. Press a key and it lights up, so you know whose it is.
Everyone signs in with their own Windows account, all at the same time.

Start with the free 7-day trial, every feature included. One license covers every seat: see the pricing page.

Sharing at home? See one PC for the whole family and sharing one PC with your partner. Setting up the gear: two monitors, keyboards and mice for two users. Sharing one desktop with a pointer tool today? Read the MouseMux alternative to give each person a desktop of their own, or watch the video.

Questions people ask

Can two people use the same Windows PC at once?

Yes, with multiseat software. Hydra Multi-Seat gives each person their own screen, keyboard, mouse, sound and Windows account on the same PC, all at the same time.

Do I need a second PC?

No. Your PC serves everyone. Each person plugs in a screen, a keyboard and a mouse.

Is it split-screen?

No. Each person gets a whole PC: their own Windows account, desktop, apps and games.

Can the two of us do different things, like homework and a game?

Yes. Everyone runs whatever they like on their own desktop.

Do I pay per person?

No. One license covers every seat on that PC.

Try Hydra Multi-Seat on your own PC.

Every feature is free for 7 days. After that you pay monthly, yearly, or once for a lifetime license at the launch price. One license covers every seat on the PC, so you never pay per seat. The pricing page shows the prices in your currency.

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