Comparison · 5 min read
PowerToys Awake vs Mouse Jiggler
PowerToys Awake tells Windows to stay on. Mouse Jiggler creates small cursor movement. Those are different jobs.
Short answer
- PowerToys Awake keeps Windows awake with a power request. Microsoft documents that it does not change the power plan, and that it stops when the lock screen is up.
- Awake does not move the cursor or press keys. Teams and Slack can still treat a quiet machine as idle.
- Mouse Jiggler adds small cursor movement while you are at the desk. That can reduce an accidental Away state. It does not run on the lock screen either.
- Use Awake when the only goal is to finish a download or a build. Use Mouse Jiggler when you are still there and a live call or a static document needs local input.
Comparison
| Capability | Mouse Jiggler | PowerToys Awake |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One-time lifetime license. The installer is free. | Free, included with PowerToys |
| What it sends to Windows | Small cursor movement | A power request, with no keyboard or mouse input |
| Teams or Slack idle | Local input can reduce an accidental Away state while you are present | The PC can stay on and still look idle |
| Lock screen | Does not type on the lock screen | Microsoft says Awake does not run on the lock screen |
What PowerToys Awake actually does
PowerToys Awake is a Microsoft utility. It asks Windows to stay awake for a set time, until a clock time, or until you turn it off. It does not edit the power plan. When you quit it, the normal plan applies again.
Microsoft also states that Awake is active only while you are signed in, and that it does not function when the lock screen is displayed. The lock screen is a separate security session. A normal app cannot keep its power request there.
Why Teams can still show Away
Awake does not move the pointer and it does not press keys. Teams and Slack can use local input as one presence signal, along with the app state, a call, and the calendar. A machine that is awake but quiet can still look idle.
Keeping the screen on is a separate switch inside Awake. Even with that switch on, the tool is still not creating input.
Where a cursor tool fits
Mouse Jiggler runs locally and makes small cursor movements on a schedule you set. While you are at the desk, that input can keep Windows from treating the session as idle, which may also keep a collaboration app from flipping to Away.
It has the same lock-screen limit. Once you press Windows+L, or the machine is already locked, cursor movement in the user session is not the fix. Lock the PC when you leave a shared room.
Which one to use
Choose PowerToys Awake for a download, a build, or a render where sleep is the only risk and presence does not matter.
Choose Mouse Jiggler when you are still at the machine, the work is quiet, and an accidental Away state or an idle lock would interrupt a call or a document. Stop it when you step away. Follow your workplace policy.
FAQ
Does PowerToys Awake keep Microsoft Teams green?
No. Awake keeps the PC from sleeping. It does not create mouse or keyboard input, so Teams can still mark the session idle.
Does Mouse Jiggler work after the screen locks?
No. Like PowerToys Awake, it does not operate on the Windows lock screen. Use it before the idle lock, while you are still in the session.
Is PowerToys Awake free?
Yes. It ships with Microsoft PowerToys. Mouse Jiggler is a separate one-time license for macOS and Windows, and the installer can be downloaded without paying first.