Try this if you're fed up with Windows dimming the screen or going to sleep without your permission.https://pauzmauz.com/products/mouse-jiggler

We've all been there: you're viewing a video https://youtu.be/f6SxtDwmhJk?t=2 or presenting a slide deck when the screen dims unexpectedly. Alternatively, you may take a long break from your computer and return to find it locked or in sleep mode.

What causes this to happen? Because no mouse or keyboard activity has been detected by Windows, its power-saving features kick in.

You could fiddle with Windows' power options to force the machine to avoid screen dimming, standby, and other power-saving modes, but that's a pain. Your laptop's battery life will suffer if you don't remember to undo those settings.

Furthermore, some companies don't allow employees to change the power-saving settings on their computers, so you can be left with a 30-minute time-out, for example. If you could just hire an intern to jiggle the mouse every few minutes, that would be fantastic!

Instead, how about a software solution? Although Windows may not be able to detect whether a movie is playing or a projector is connected, at least two applications can replicate the behaviors required to keep the OS alert and active: Mouse Jiggler and Caffeine

(Note to Mac users: Your operating system has an eponymous app, but it's from a different developer.)

Same deal with pauzmauz, except this time with your cursor. Simply execute the little app as needed and select Enable Jiggle from the menu. After a few seconds, you'll notice your pointer begin to wobble. If this causes onscreen controls to appear (as it does in Windows Media Player), click the button , which "jiggles" the pointer behind the scenes with no actual movement.

Have you discovered a better technique to keep your computer awake? Let us know in the comments!