diff --git a/effects.cpp b/effects.cpp
index 9d4b3db2e1..073c9f8c9a 100644
--- a/effects.cpp
+++ b/effects.cpp
@@ -270,9 +270,6 @@ EffectsHandlerImpl::~EffectsHandlerImpl()
         ungrabKeyboard();
     foreach (const EffectPair & ep, loaded_effects)
     unloadEffect(ep.first);
-    foreach (const InputWindowPair & pos, input_windows) {
-        xcb_destroy_window(connection(), pos.second);
-    }
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::setupClientConnections(Client* c)
@@ -689,6 +686,50 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent* e)
         keyboard_grab_effect->grabbedKeyboardEvent(e);
 }
 
+void EffectsHandlerImpl::startMouseInterception(Effect *effect, Qt::CursorShape shape)
+{
+    if (m_grabbedMouseEffects.contains(effect)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    m_grabbedMouseEffects.append(effect);
+    if (m_grabbedMouseEffects.size() != 1) {
+        return;
+    }
+    // NOTE: it is intended to not perform an XPointerGrab on X11. See documentation in kwineffects.h
+    // The mouse grab is implemented by using a full screen input only window
+    if (!m_mouseInterceptionWindow.isValid()) {
+        const QRect geo(0, 0, displayWidth(), displayHeight());
+        const uint32_t mask = XCB_CW_OVERRIDE_REDIRECT | XCB_CW_EVENT_MASK | XCB_CW_CURSOR;
+        const uint32_t values[] = {
+            true,
+            XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_PRESS | XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_RELEASE | XCB_EVENT_MASK_POINTER_MOTION,
+            Cursor::x11Cursor(shape)
+        };
+        m_mouseInterceptionWindow.reset(Xcb::createInputWindow(geo, mask, values));
+    }
+    m_mouseInterceptionWindow.map();
+    m_mouseInterceptionWindow.raise();
+    // Raise electric border windows above the input windows
+    // so they can still be triggered.
+#ifdef KWIN_BUILD_SCREENEDGES
+    ScreenEdges::self()->ensureOnTop();
+#endif
+}
+
+void EffectsHandlerImpl::stopMouseInterception(Effect *effect)
+{
+    if (!m_grabbedMouseEffects.contains(effect)) {
+        return;
+    }
+    m_grabbedMouseEffects.removeAll(effect);
+    if (m_grabbedMouseEffects.isEmpty()) {
+        m_mouseInterceptionWindow.unmap();
+#ifdef KWIN_BUILD_SCREENEDGES
+        Workspace::self()->stackScreenEdgesUnderOverrideRedirect();
+#endif
+    }
+}
+
 void* EffectsHandlerImpl::getProxy(QString name)
 {
     // All effects start with "kwin4_effect_", prepend it to the name
@@ -719,6 +760,9 @@ bool EffectsHandlerImpl::hasKeyboardGrab() const
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::desktopResized(const QSize &size)
 {
     m_scene->screenGeometryChanged(size);
+    if (m_mouseInterceptionWindow.isValid()) {
+        m_mouseInterceptionWindow.setGeometry(QRect(0, 0, size.width(), size.height()));
+    }
     emit screenGeometryChanged(size);
 }
 
@@ -1130,158 +1174,65 @@ QRect EffectsHandlerImpl::clientArea(clientAreaOption opt, const QPoint& p, int
     return Workspace::self()->clientArea(opt, p, desktop);
 }
 
-xcb_window_t EffectsHandlerImpl::createInputWindow(Effect* e, int x, int y, int w, int h, const QCursor& cursor)
+void EffectsHandlerImpl::defineCursor(Qt::CursorShape shape)
 {
-    xcb_window_t win = XCB_WINDOW_NONE;
-    QList<InputWindowPair>::iterator it = input_windows.begin();
-    while (it != input_windows.end()) {
-        if (it->first != e) {
-            ++it;
-            continue;
-        }
-        Xcb::WindowAttributes attributes(it->second);
-        Xcb::WindowGeometry geometry(it->second);
-        if (!attributes) {
-            // this is some random junk that certainly should no be here
-            kDebug(1212) << "found input window that is NOT on the server, something is VERY broken here";
-            Q_ASSERT(false); // exit in debug mode - for releases we'll be a bit more graceful
-            it = input_windows.erase(it);
-            continue;
-        }
-        if (geometry.rect() == QRect(x, y, w, h)) {
-            win = it->second; // re-use
-            break;
-        } else if (attributes->map_state == XCB_MAP_STATE_UNMAPPED) {
-            // probably old one, likely no longer of interest
-            xcb_destroy_window(connection(), it->second);
-            it = input_windows.erase(it);
-            continue;
-        }
-        ++it;
+    if (!m_mouseInterceptionWindow.isValid()) {
+        return;
     }
-    if (win == XCB_WINDOW_NONE) {
-        win = xcb_generate_id(connection());
-        // TODO keeping on top?
-        // TODO enter/leave notify?
-        const uint32_t mask = XCB_CW_OVERRIDE_REDIRECT | XCB_CW_EVENT_MASK | XCB_CW_CURSOR;
-        const uint32_t values[] = {
-            true,
-            XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_PRESS | XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_RELEASE | XCB_EVENT_MASK_POINTER_MOTION,
-            Cursor::x11Cursor(cursor.shape())
-        };
-        xcb_create_window(connection(), 0, win, rootWindow(), x, y, w, h, 0, XCB_WINDOW_CLASS_INPUT_ONLY,
-                          XCB_COPY_FROM_PARENT, mask, values);
-        input_windows.append(qMakePair(e, win));
-    }
-    xcb_map_window(connection(), win);
-    const uint32_t values[] = { XCB_STACK_MODE_ABOVE };
-    xcb_configure_window(connection(), win, XCB_CONFIG_WINDOW_STACK_MODE, values);
-    // Raise electric border windows above the input windows
-    // so they can still be triggered.
-#ifdef KWIN_BUILD_SCREENEDGES
-    ScreenEdges::self()->ensureOnTop();
-#endif
-    if (input_windows.count() > 10) // that sounds like some leak - could still be correct, thoug - so NO ABORT HERE!
-        kDebug() << "** warning ** there are now " << input_windows.count() <<
-                    "input windows what's a bit much - please have a look and if this counts up, better report a bug";
-    return win;
-}
-
-void EffectsHandlerImpl::destroyInputWindow(xcb_window_t w)
-{
-    foreach (const InputWindowPair & pos, input_windows) {
-        if (pos.second == w) {
-            xcb_unmap_window(connection(), w);
-#ifdef KWIN_BUILD_SCREENEDGES
-            Workspace::self()->stackScreenEdgesUnderOverrideRedirect();
-#endif
-            return;
-        }
-    }
-    abort();
-}
-
-void EffectsHandlerImpl::defineCursor(xcb_window_t w, Qt::CursorShape shape)
-{
-    Xcb::defineCursor(w, Cursor::x11Cursor(shape));
+    m_mouseInterceptionWindow.defineCursor(Cursor::x11Cursor(shape));
 }
 
 bool EffectsHandlerImpl::checkInputWindowEvent(XEvent* e)
 {
     if (e->type != ButtonPress && e->type != ButtonRelease && e->type != MotionNotify)
         return false;
-    foreach (const InputWindowPair & pos, input_windows) {
-        if (pos.second == e->xany.window) {
-            switch(e->type) {
-            case ButtonPress: {
-                XButtonEvent* e2 = &e->xbutton;
-                Qt::MouseButton button = x11ToQtMouseButton(e2->button);
-                Qt::MouseButtons buttons = x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state) | button;
-                QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseButtonPress,
-                               QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
-                               button, buttons, x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
-                pos.first->windowInputMouseEvent(pos.second, &ev);
-                break; // --->
-            }
-            case ButtonRelease: {
-                XButtonEvent* e2 = &e->xbutton;
-                Qt::MouseButton button = x11ToQtMouseButton(e2->button);
-                Qt::MouseButtons buttons = x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state) & ~button;
-                QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseButtonRelease,
-                               QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
-                               button, buttons, x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
-                pos.first->windowInputMouseEvent(pos.second, &ev);
-                break; // --->
-            }
-            case MotionNotify: {
-                XMotionEvent* e2 = &e->xmotion;
-                QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseMove, QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
-                               Qt::NoButton, x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state), x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
-                pos.first->windowInputMouseEvent(pos.second, &ev);
-                break; // --->
-            }
-            }
-            return true; // eat event
+    if (m_grabbedMouseEffects.isEmpty() || m_mouseInterceptionWindow != e->xany.window) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    foreach (Effect *effect, m_grabbedMouseEffects) {
+        switch(e->type) {
+        case ButtonPress: {
+            XButtonEvent* e2 = &e->xbutton;
+            Qt::MouseButton button = x11ToQtMouseButton(e2->button);
+            Qt::MouseButtons buttons = x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state) | button;
+            QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseButtonPress,
+                            QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
+                            button, buttons, x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
+            effect->windowInputMouseEvent(&ev);
+            break; // --->
+        }
+        case ButtonRelease: {
+            XButtonEvent* e2 = &e->xbutton;
+            Qt::MouseButton button = x11ToQtMouseButton(e2->button);
+            Qt::MouseButtons buttons = x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state) & ~button;
+            QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseButtonRelease,
+                            QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
+                            button, buttons, x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
+            effect->windowInputMouseEvent(&ev);
+            break; // --->
+        }
+        case MotionNotify: {
+            XMotionEvent* e2 = &e->xmotion;
+            QMouseEvent ev(QEvent::MouseMove, QPoint(e2->x, e2->y), QPoint(e2->x_root, e2->y_root),
+                            Qt::NoButton, x11ToQtMouseButtons(e2->state), x11ToQtKeyboardModifiers(e2->state));
+            effect->windowInputMouseEvent(&ev);
+            break; // --->
+        }
         }
     }
-    return false;
+    return true; // eat event
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::checkInputWindowStacking()
 {
-    if (input_windows.count() == 0)
+    if (m_grabbedMouseEffects.isEmpty()) {
         return;
-    xcb_window_t* wins = new xcb_window_t[input_windows.count()];
-    QVector<Xcb::WindowAttributes> attributes(input_windows.count());
-    int pos = 0;
-    foreach (const InputWindowPair &it, input_windows) {
-        attributes[pos] = Xcb::WindowAttributes(it.second);
-        pos++;
     }
-    pos = 0;
-    for (QVector<Xcb::WindowAttributes>::iterator it = attributes.begin(); it != attributes.end(); ++it) {
-        if (*it && (*it)->map_state != XCB_MAP_STATE_UNMAPPED) {
-            wins[pos++] = (*it).window();
-        }
-    }
-    if (pos) {
-        const uint32_t values[] = { XCB_STACK_MODE_ABOVE };
-        xcb_configure_window(connection(), wins[0], XCB_CONFIG_WINDOW_STACK_MODE, values);
-        for (int i=1; i<pos; ++i) {
-            const uint16_t mask = XCB_CONFIG_WINDOW_SIBLING | XCB_CONFIG_WINDOW_STACK_MODE;
-            const uint32_t stackingValues[] = {
-                wins[i-1],
-                XCB_STACK_MODE_BELOW
-            };
-            xcb_configure_window(connection(), wins[i], mask, stackingValues);
-        }
-    }
-    delete[] wins;
+    m_mouseInterceptionWindow.raise();
     // Raise electric border windows above the input windows
     // so they can still be triggered. TODO: Do both at once.
 #ifdef KWIN_BUILD_SCREENEDGES
-    if (pos)
-        ScreenEdges::self()->ensureOnTop();
+    ScreenEdges::self()->ensureOnTop();
 #endif
 }
 
@@ -1521,6 +1472,7 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::unloadEffect(const QString& name)
             if (activeFullScreenEffect() == it.value().second) {
                 setActiveFullScreenEffect(0);
             }
+            stopMouseInterception(it.value().second);
             // remove support properties for the effect
             const QList<QByteArray> properties = m_propertiesForEffects.keys();
             foreach (const QByteArray &property, properties) {
diff --git a/effects.h b/effects.h
index a4c33ddf98..4115433ee5 100644
--- a/effects.h
+++ b/effects.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #include "kwineffects.h"
 
 #include "scene.h"
+#include "xcbutils.h"
 
 #include <QStack>
 #include <QHash>
@@ -38,7 +39,6 @@ class OrgFreedesktopScreenSaverInterface;
 
 namespace KWin
 {
-typedef QPair< Effect*, xcb_window_t > InputWindowPair;
 
 class AbstractThumbnailItem;
 class DesktopThumbnailItem;
@@ -110,6 +110,9 @@ public:
     virtual QPoint cursorPos() const;
     virtual bool grabKeyboard(Effect* effect);
     virtual void ungrabKeyboard();
+    // not performing XGrabPointer
+    virtual void startMouseInterception(Effect *effect, Qt::CursorShape shape);
+    virtual void stopMouseInterception(Effect *effect);
     virtual void* getProxy(QString name);
     virtual void startMousePolling();
     virtual void stopMousePolling();
@@ -143,10 +146,7 @@ public:
     virtual double animationTimeFactor() const;
     virtual WindowQuadType newWindowQuadType();
 
-    virtual xcb_window_t createInputWindow(Effect* e, int x, int y, int w, int h, const QCursor& cursor);
-    using EffectsHandler::createInputWindow;
-    virtual void destroyInputWindow(xcb_window_t w);
-    virtual void defineCursor(xcb_window_t w, Qt::CursorShape shape);
+    virtual void defineCursor(Qt::CursorShape shape);
     virtual bool checkInputWindowEvent(XEvent* e);
     virtual void checkInputWindowStacking();
 
@@ -262,10 +262,11 @@ private:
     QHash<QByteArray, qulonglong> m_managedProperties;
     Compositor *m_compositor;
     Scene *m_scene;
-    QList< InputWindowPair > input_windows;
     ScreenLockerWatcher *m_screenLockerWatcher;
     bool m_desktopRendering;
     int m_currentRenderedDesktop;
+    Xcb::Window m_mouseInterceptionWindow;
+    QList<Effect*> m_grabbedMouseEffects;
 };
 
 class EffectWindowImpl : public EffectWindow
diff --git a/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.cpp b/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.cpp
index 626c05470e..dc44973216 100644
--- a/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.cpp
+++ b/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.cpp
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ void CoverSwitchEffect::slotTabBoxAdded(int mode)
                 (mode == TabBoxCurrentAppWindowsMode && primaryTabBox) ||
                 (mode == TabBoxCurrentAppWindowsAlternativeMode && secondaryTabBox))
                 && effects->currentTabBoxWindowList().count() > 0) {
-            input = effects->createFullScreenInputWindow(this, Qt::ArrowCursor);
+            effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::ArrowCursor);
             activeScreen = effects->activeScreen();
             if (!stop && !stopRequested) {
                 effects->refTabBox();
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ void CoverSwitchEffect::slotTabBoxClosed()
             effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(0);
         mActivated = false;
         effects->unrefTabBox();
-        effects->destroyInputWindow(input);
+        effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
         effects->addRepaintFull();
     }
 }
@@ -891,10 +891,8 @@ void CoverSwitchEffect::paintWindows(const EffectWindowList& windows, bool left,
     }
 }
 
-void CoverSwitchEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e)
+void CoverSwitchEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e)
 {
-    assert(w == input);
-    Q_UNUSED(w);
     if (e->type() != QEvent::MouseButtonPress)
         return;
     // we don't want click events during animations
@@ -965,7 +963,7 @@ void CoverSwitchEffect::abort()
     // in this case the cleanup is already done (see bug 207554)
     if (mActivated) {
         effects->unrefTabBox();
-        effects->destroyInputWindow(input);
+        effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
     }
     effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(0);
     mActivated = false;
diff --git a/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.h b/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.h
index 73ede747d9..75ebdfb58a 100644
--- a/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.h
+++ b/effects/coverswitch/coverswitch.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public:
     virtual void paintScreen(int mask, QRegion region, ScreenPaintData& data);
     virtual void postPaintScreen();
     virtual void paintWindow(EffectWindow* w, int mask, QRegion region, WindowPaintData& data);
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e);
     virtual bool isActive() const;
 
     static bool supported();
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@ private:
     bool startRequested;
     QTimeLine timeLine;
     QRect area;
-    Window input;
     float zPosition;
     float scaleFactor;
     enum Direction {
diff --git a/effects/cube/cube.cpp b/effects/cube/cube.cpp
index 636f929726..02fb4a4f5e 100644
--- a/effects/cube/cube.cpp
+++ b/effects/cube/cube.cpp
@@ -1136,7 +1136,7 @@ void CubeEffect::postPaintScreen()
                 if (keyboard_grab)
                     effects->ungrabKeyboard();
                 keyboard_grab = false;
-                effects->destroyInputWindow(input);
+                effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
 
                 effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(0);
 
@@ -1896,8 +1896,7 @@ void CubeEffect::setActive(bool active)
         activated = true;
         activeScreen = effects->activeScreen();
         keyboard_grab = effects->grabKeyboard(this);
-        input = effects->createInputWindow(this, 0, 0, displayWidth(), displayHeight(),
-                                           Qt::OpenHandCursor);
+        effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::OpenHandCursor);
         frontDesktop = effects->currentDesktop();
         zoom = 0.0;
         zOrderingFactor = zPosition / (effects->stackingOrder().count() - 1);
@@ -1983,10 +1982,10 @@ void CubeEffect::slotMouseChanged(const QPoint& pos, const QPoint& oldpos, Qt::M
         }
     }
     if (!oldbuttons.testFlag(Qt::LeftButton) && buttons.testFlag(Qt::LeftButton)) {
-        effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
+        effects->defineCursor(Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
     }
     if (oldbuttons.testFlag(Qt::LeftButton) && !buttons.testFlag(Qt::LeftButton)) {
-        effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::OpenHandCursor);
+        effects->defineCursor(Qt::OpenHandCursor);
         if (closeOnMouseRelease)
             setActive(false);
     }
@@ -1996,10 +1995,8 @@ void CubeEffect::slotMouseChanged(const QPoint& pos, const QPoint& oldpos, Qt::M
     }
 }
 
-void CubeEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e)
+void CubeEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e)
 {
-    assert(w == input);
-    Q_UNUSED(w);
     QMouseEvent *mouse = dynamic_cast< QMouseEvent* >(e);
     if (mouse && mouse->type() == QEvent::MouseButtonRelease) {
         if (mouse->button() == Qt::XButton1) {
diff --git a/effects/cube/cube.h b/effects/cube/cube.h
index d35da677a8..c707a18a7a 100644
--- a/effects/cube/cube.h
+++ b/effects/cube/cube.h
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public:
     virtual void paintWindow(EffectWindow* w, int mask, QRegion region, WindowPaintData& data);
     virtual bool borderActivated(ElectricBorder border);
     virtual void grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent* e);
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e);
     virtual bool isActive() const;
 
     // proxy functions
@@ -179,7 +179,6 @@ private:
     QList<ElectricBorder> borderActivateCylinder;
     QList<ElectricBorder> borderActivateSphere;
     int painting_desktop;
-    Window input;
     int frontDesktop;
     float cubeOpacity;
     bool opacityDesktopOnly;
diff --git a/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.cpp b/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.cpp
index 95fe1394ee..dc3d82b187 100644
--- a/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.cpp
+++ b/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.cpp
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::slotWindowGeometryShapeChanged(EffectWindow* w, const QR
     }
 }
 
-void DesktopGridEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window, QEvent* e)
+void DesktopGridEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e)
 {
     if ((e->type() != QEvent::MouseMove
             && e->type() != QEvent::MouseButtonPress
@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window, QEvent* e)
                     }
                     m_proxy->calculateWindowTransformations(manager.managedWindows(), windowMove->screen(), manager);
                 }
-                effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
+                effects->defineCursor(Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
             }
             wasWindowMove = true;
             if (windowMove->isMovable() && !isUsingPresentWindows()) {
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window, QEvent* e)
         } else if ((me->buttons() & Qt::LeftButton) && !wasDesktopMove &&
                   (me->pos() - dragStartPos).manhattanLength() > KGlobalSettings::dndEventDelay()) {
             wasDesktopMove = true;
-            effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::ClosedHandCursor);
         }
         if (d != highlightedDesktop) { // Highlight desktop
             if ((me->buttons() & Qt::LeftButton) && isValidMove && !wasWindowMove && d <= effects->numberOfDesktops()) {
@@ -673,9 +673,9 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window, QEvent* e)
             }
             effects->setElevatedWindow(windowMove, false);
             windowMove = NULL;
-            effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::PointingHandCursor);
         } else if (wasDesktopMove)
-            effects->defineCursor(input, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::PointingHandCursor);
         wasWindowMove = false;
         wasDesktopMove = false;
     }
@@ -1061,8 +1061,7 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::setActive(bool active)
 void DesktopGridEffect::setup()
 {
     keyboardGrab = effects->grabKeyboard(this);
-    input = effects->createInputWindow(this, 0, 0, displayWidth(), displayHeight(),
-                                       Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+    effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
     effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(this);
     setHighlightedDesktop(effects->currentDesktop());
 
@@ -1193,7 +1192,7 @@ void DesktopGridEffect::finish()
     if (keyboardGrab)
         effects->ungrabKeyboard();
     keyboardGrab = false;
-    effects->destroyInputWindow(input);
+    effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
     effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(0);
     if (isUsingPresentWindows()) {
         while (!m_managers.isEmpty()) {
diff --git a/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.h b/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.h
index b78404f8bc..226591a276 100644
--- a/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.h
+++ b/effects/desktopgrid/desktopgrid.h
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public:
     virtual void postPaintScreen();
     virtual void prePaintWindow(EffectWindow* w, WindowPrePaintData& data, int time);
     virtual void paintWindow(EffectWindow* w, int mask, QRegion region, WindowPaintData& data);
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e);
     virtual void grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent* e);
     virtual bool borderActivated(ElectricBorder border);
     virtual bool isActive() const;
@@ -139,7 +139,6 @@ private:
     int paintingDesktop;
     int highlightedDesktop;
     int m_originalMovingDesktop;
-    Window input;
     bool keyboardGrab;
     bool wasWindowMove, wasDesktopMove, isValidMove;
     EffectWindow* windowMove;
diff --git a/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.cpp b/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.cpp
index 6291e12b43..97e0455beb 100644
--- a/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.cpp
+++ b/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.cpp
@@ -614,16 +614,16 @@ void FlipSwitchEffect::setActive(bool activate, FlipSwitchMode mode)
         switch(m_mode) {
         case TabboxMode:
             m_selectedWindow = effects->currentTabBoxWindow();
-            m_input = effects->createFullScreenInputWindow(this, Qt::ArrowCursor);
+            effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::ArrowCursor);
             break;
         case CurrentDesktopMode:
             m_selectedWindow = effects->activeWindow();
-            m_input = effects->createFullScreenInputWindow(this, Qt::BlankCursor);
+            effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::BlankCursor);
             m_hasKeyboardGrab = effects->grabKeyboard(this);
             break;
         case AllDesktopsMode:
             m_selectedWindow = effects->activeWindow();
-            m_input = effects->createFullScreenInputWindow(this, Qt::BlankCursor);
+            effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::BlankCursor);
             m_hasKeyboardGrab = effects->grabKeyboard(this);
             break;
         }
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ void FlipSwitchEffect::setActive(bool activate, FlipSwitchMode mode)
             }
         } else
             m_startStopTimeLine.setCurveShape(QTimeLine::EaseInOutCurve);
-        effects->destroyInputWindow(m_input);
+        effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
         if (m_hasKeyboardGrab) {
             effects->ungrabKeyboard();
             m_hasKeyboardGrab = false;
@@ -962,10 +962,8 @@ void FlipSwitchEffect::updateCaption()
 // Mouse handling
 //*************************************************************
 
-void FlipSwitchEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e)
+void FlipSwitchEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e)
 {
-    assert(w == m_input);
-    Q_UNUSED(w);
     if (e->type() != QEvent::MouseButtonPress)
         return;
     // we don't want click events during animations
diff --git a/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.h b/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.h
index 35b67dc45e..c238a93b14 100644
--- a/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.h
+++ b/effects/flipswitch/flipswitch.h
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public:
     virtual void prePaintWindow(EffectWindow *w, WindowPrePaintData &data, int time);
     virtual void paintWindow(EffectWindow* w, int mask, QRegion region, WindowPaintData& data);
     virtual void grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent* e);
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e);
     virtual bool isActive() const;
 
     static bool supported();
@@ -128,7 +128,6 @@ private:
     bool m_stop;
     bool m_animation;
     bool m_hasKeyboardGrab;
-    Window m_input;
     FlipSwitchMode m_mode;
     EffectFrame* m_captionFrame;
     QFont m_captionFont;
diff --git a/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.cpp b/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.cpp
index 61a94478c7..116e7eb5e0 100755
--- a/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.cpp
+++ b/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.cpp
@@ -514,11 +514,8 @@ bool PresentWindowsEffect::borderActivated(ElectricBorder border)
     return true;
 }
 
-void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e)
+void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent *e)
 {
-    assert(w == m_input);
-    Q_UNUSED(w);
-
     QMouseEvent* me = static_cast< QMouseEvent* >(e);
     if (m_closeView && m_closeView->geometry().contains(me->pos())) {
         if (!m_closeView->isVisible()) {
@@ -574,7 +571,7 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e)
                     m_highlightedDropTarget = NULL;
                 }
                 effects->addRepaintFull();
-                effects->defineCursor(m_input, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+                effects->defineCursor(Qt::PointingHandCursor);
                 return;
             }
             if (hovering) {
@@ -613,7 +610,7 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e)
             m_highlightedDropTarget->setIcon(icon.pixmap(QSize(128, 128), QIcon::Normal));
             m_highlightedDropTarget = NULL;
         }
-        effects->defineCursor(m_input, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+        effects->defineCursor(Qt::PointingHandCursor);
     } else if (e->type() == QEvent::MouseButtonPress && me->button() == Qt::LeftButton && hovering && m_dragToClose) {
         m_dragStart = me->pos();
         m_dragWindow = m_highlightedWindow;
@@ -625,7 +622,7 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e)
     if (e->type() == QEvent::MouseMove && m_dragWindow) {
         if ((me->pos() - m_dragStart).manhattanLength() > KGlobalSettings::dndEventDelay() && !m_dragInProgress) {
             m_dragInProgress = true;
-            effects->defineCursor(m_input, Qt::ForbiddenCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::ForbiddenCursor);
         }
         if (!m_dragInProgress) {
             return;
@@ -643,13 +640,13 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e)
             KIcon icon("user-trash");
             effects->addRepaint(m_highlightedDropTarget->geometry());
             m_highlightedDropTarget->setIcon(icon.pixmap(QSize(128, 128), QIcon::Active));
-            effects->defineCursor(m_input, Qt::DragMoveCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::DragMoveCursor);
         } else if (!target && m_highlightedDropTarget) {
             KIcon icon("user-trash");
             effects->addRepaint(m_highlightedDropTarget->geometry());
             m_highlightedDropTarget->setIcon(icon.pixmap(QSize(128, 128), QIcon::Normal));
             m_highlightedDropTarget = NULL;
-            effects->defineCursor(m_input, Qt::ForbiddenCursor);
+            effects->defineCursor(Qt::ForbiddenCursor);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1533,7 +1530,7 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::setActive(bool active)
         }
 
         // Create temporary input window to catch mouse events
-        m_input = effects->createFullScreenInputWindow(this, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
+        effects->startMouseInterception(this, Qt::PointingHandCursor);
         m_hasKeyboardGrab = effects->grabKeyboard(this);
         effects->setActiveFullScreenEffect(this);
 
@@ -1576,7 +1573,7 @@ void PresentWindowsEffect::setActive(bool active)
         m_windowFilter.clear();
         m_selectedWindows.clear();
 
-        effects->destroyInputWindow(m_input);
+        effects->stopMouseInterception(this);
         if (m_hasKeyboardGrab)
             effects->ungrabKeyboard();
         m_hasKeyboardGrab = false;
diff --git a/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.h b/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.h
index ed2807eb9c..89ccca796a 100644
--- a/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.h
+++ b/effects/presentwindows/presentwindows.h
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public:
 
     // User interaction
     virtual bool borderActivated(ElectricBorder border);
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent *e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent *e);
     virtual void grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent *e);
     virtual bool isActive() const;
 
@@ -275,7 +275,6 @@ private:
     bool m_activated;
     bool m_ignoreMinimized;
     double m_decalOpacity;
-    Window m_input;
     bool m_hasKeyboardGrab;
     PresentWindowsMode m_mode;
     int m_desktop;
diff --git a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.cpp b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.cpp
index 0cc83c3abe..8f165b0344 100644
--- a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.cpp
+++ b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.cpp
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ void* Effect::proxy()
     return NULL;
 }
 
-void Effect::windowInputMouseEvent(Window, QEvent*)
+void Effect::windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent*)
 {
 }
 
@@ -603,16 +603,6 @@ EffectsHandler::~EffectsHandler()
     assert(loaded_effects.count() == 0);
 }
 
-xcb_window_t EffectsHandler::createInputWindow(Effect* e, const QRect& r, const QCursor& cursor)
-{
-    return createInputWindow(e, r.x(), r.y(), r.width(), r.height(), cursor);
-}
-
-xcb_window_t EffectsHandler::createFullScreenInputWindow(Effect* e, const QCursor& cursor)
-{
-    return createInputWindow(e, 0, 0, displayWidth(), displayHeight(), cursor);
-}
-
 CompositingType EffectsHandler::compositingType() const
 {
     return compositing_type;
diff --git a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
index a08a99b2ea..5daba46fe7 100644
--- a/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
+++ b/libkwineffects/kwineffects.h
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ X-KDE-Library=kwin4_effect_cooleffect
 
 #define KWIN_EFFECT_API_MAKE_VERSION( major, minor ) (( major ) << 8 | ( minor ))
 #define KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION_MAJOR 0
-#define KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION_MINOR 222
+#define KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION_MINOR 223
 #define KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION KWIN_EFFECT_API_MAKE_VERSION( \
         KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION_MAJOR, KWIN_EFFECT_API_VERSION_MINOR )
 
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ public:
      **/
     virtual void buildQuads(EffectWindow* w, WindowQuadList& quadList);
 
-    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(Window w, QEvent* e);
+    virtual void windowInputMouseEvent(QEvent* e);
     virtual void grabbedKeyboardEvent(QKeyEvent* e);
 
     /**
@@ -644,17 +644,35 @@ public:
     virtual void drawWindow(EffectWindow* w, int mask, QRegion region, WindowPaintData& data) = 0;
     virtual void buildQuads(EffectWindow* w, WindowQuadList& quadList) = 0;
     virtual QVariant kwinOption(KWinOption kwopt) = 0;
-    // Functions for handling input - e.g. when an Expose-like effect is shown, an input window
-    // covering the whole screen is created and all mouse events will be intercepted by it.
-    // The effect's windowInputMouseEvent() will get called with such events.
-    virtual xcb_window_t createInputWindow(Effect* e, int x, int y, int w, int h, const QCursor& cursor) = 0;
-    xcb_window_t createInputWindow(Effect* e, const QRect& r, const QCursor& cursor);
-    virtual xcb_window_t createFullScreenInputWindow(Effect* e, const QCursor& cursor);
-    virtual void destroyInputWindow(xcb_window_t w) = 0;
-    virtual void defineCursor(xcb_window_t w, Qt::CursorShape shape) = 0;
+    /**
+     * Sets the cursor while the mouse is intercepted.
+     * @see startMouseInterception
+     * @since 4.11
+     **/
+    virtual void defineCursor(Qt::CursorShape shape) = 0;
     virtual QPoint cursorPos() const = 0;
     virtual bool grabKeyboard(Effect* effect) = 0;
     virtual void ungrabKeyboard() = 0;
+    /**
+     * Ensures that all mouse events are sent to the @p effect.
+     * No window will get the mouse events. Only fullscreen effects providing a custom user interface should
+     * be using this method. The input events are delivered to Effect::windowInputMouseEvent.
+     *
+     * NOTE: this method does not perform an X11 mouse grab. On X11 a fullscreen input window is raised above
+     * all other windows, but no grab is performed.
+     *
+     * @param shape Sets the cursor to be used while the mouse is intercepted
+     * @see stopMouseInterception
+     * @see Effect::windowInputMouseEvent
+     * @since 4.11
+     **/
+    virtual void startMouseInterception(Effect *effect, Qt::CursorShape shape) = 0;
+    /**
+     * Releases the hold mouse interception for @p effect
+     * @see startMouseInterception
+     * @since 4.11
+     **/
+    virtual void stopMouseInterception(Effect *effect) = 0;
 
     /**
      * Retrieve the proxy class for an effect if it has one. Will return NULL if
diff --git a/xcbutils.h b/xcbutils.h
index 51b8f5d421..762e0ed08e 100644
--- a/xcbutils.h
+++ b/xcbutils.h
@@ -348,6 +348,7 @@ public:
     void move(uint32_t x, uint32_t y);
     void resize(const QSize &size);
     void resize(uint32_t width, uint32_t height);
+    void raise();
     void map();
     void unmap();
     /**
@@ -492,6 +493,13 @@ void Window::resize(uint32_t width, uint32_t height)
     xcb_configure_window(connection(), m_window, mask, values);
 }
 
+inline
+void Window::raise()
+{
+    const uint32_t values[] = { XCB_STACK_MODE_ABOVE };
+    xcb_configure_window(connection(), m_window, XCB_CONFIG_WINDOW_STACK_MODE, values);
+}
+
 inline
 void Window::map()
 {