Keep your computer awake
Mouse Jiggler, developed by Alistair Young, is a free lightweight Windows tool designed to prevent your computer from going idle by simulating mouse movement. It helps keep your screen active, avoiding automatic logouts, sleep mode, or screen savers. It works by mimicking mouse input without requiring physical interaction.
You can run it manually or use command-line options for automation. It offers two modes—visible and Zen mode, which moves the cursor without you seeing it. Mouse Jiggler runs as a simple executable file, requiring no installation. It provides a way to keep the system active, without changing settings.
Mouse Jiggler operates as a standalone Windows executable, meaning there’s no need for installation or administrative privileges. The program's interface is minimal, with a single checkbox to activate the jiggling function. When enabled, it moves the mouse slightly at regular intervals, ensuring the system remains active. For users who don’t want to see the movement, the Zen mode runs in the background, making invisible adjustments to the cursor position.
A simple mouse activity simulator
You can use command-line support to launch it with parameters such as -zen to start in invisible mode immediately or -jiggle to begin standard movement. This makes it particularly useful for scripting and automation, allowing IT professionals and advanced users to integrate it into workflows. Since it doesn’t install drivers or modify registry settings, it remains a portable, low-impact way for keeping a system awake.
Since it only affects cursor movement, it doesn’t interfere with other system settings or applications. However, it won’t prevent session timeouts based on network policies or force applications to remain active. It is effective against idle-triggered events, such as automatic sleep mode and screensaver activation. While it offers simplicity and effectiveness, it does not include advanced scheduling features. It's open-source, you can inspect, modify, or contribute to its development.
Handy idle prevention
Mouse Jiggler is a lightweight and simple method for keeping a system active without modifying settings. Its portable and command-line support makes it handy for casual users and IT professionals. Since it only simulates mouse movement, it won’t bypass all inactivity policies, such as network timeouts. It's a practical utility for keeping screens awake, preventing idle-triggered events. While it offers simplicity and effectiveness, it does not include advanced scheduling features.
