Idle Pilot vs Move Mouse for Windows

Compare Idle Pilot to Move Mouse for Windows. Cloud-based Slack scheduling vs mouse movement simulation for staying active.

Quick Verdict

Idle Pilot wins for reliable Slack presence; Move Mouse wins for free, local system wake.

Move Mouse is a capable tool for simulating activity on Windows, but it depends on your computer being awake. Idle Pilot works from the cloud, maintaining Slack presence even when your PC sleeps or you're on a different device.

Feature Comparison

FeatureIdle PilotMove Mouse (Windows)
Works with PC asleep Yes No
Works when locked YesLimited
Schedule-aware YesYes (built-in scheduler)
IT detection riskLow (no local install)Medium (process visible)
Setup complexity2 minutes5-10 minutes
Cost$4/monthFree

Idle Pilot Advantages

  • Works when PC is asleep or off
  • Directly controls Slack presence
  • Schedule-aware with work hours
  • No suspicious mouse movement patterns
  • Works across all your devices

Move Mouse (Windows) Advantages

  • Free and open source
  • Works offline (no internet needed)
  • Customizable movement patterns
  • Can simulate clicks and keystrokes
  • No account required

Which Should You Choose?

If you close your laptop or let it sleep

Use: Idle Pilot

If you work in a monitored it environment

Use: Idle Pilot

If you need scheduled work hours presence

Use: Either (both support scheduling)

If you want a free offline solution

Use: Move Mouse

What is Move Mouse (Windows)?

A free Windows utility that simulates mouse movement and clicks to prevent system idle, screen lock, and application timeouts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can IT detect Move Mouse?
Yes. Move Mouse runs as a visible process that IT monitoring tools can identify. The mouse movement patterns may also be detectable as unnatural. Cloud-based solutions like Idle Pilot appear as normal Slack web sessions.
Does Move Mouse keep Slack active?
It can, as long as your computer stays awake and unlocked. Move Mouse simulates activity that Slack can detect. However, if your screen locks or PC sleeps, the simulation stops and Slack will mark you away.
Is Move Mouse safe to use?
Move Mouse itself is safe software from a trusted developer. The risk is policy-related: many companies prohibit tools that circumvent idle timeouts. Cloud-based presence scheduling is generally lower risk as it doesn't install anything locally.

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