diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/CMakeLists.txt b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/CMakeLists.txt
index 5e3d05720..06c00bb1e 100644
--- a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ project(capture_D12 LANGUAGES C)
 
 add_library(capture_D12 STATIC
   d12.c
+  command_group.c
   backend/dd.c
 )
 
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend.h b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend.h
index 11859503e..01238fe49 100644
--- a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend.h
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend.h
@@ -88,11 +88,6 @@ static inline ID3D12Resource * d12_backendFetch(D12Backend * instance,
   unsigned frameBufferIndex)
   { return instance->fetch(instance, frameBufferIndex); }
 
-// APIs for the backend to call
-
-void d12_updatePointer(
-  CapturePointer * pointer, void * shape, size_t shapeSize);
-
 // Backend defines
 
 extern D12Backend D12Backend_DD;
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend/dd.c b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend/dd.c
index a758d7780..0cef10c3a 100644
--- a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend/dd.c
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/backend/dd.c
@@ -1,4 +1,25 @@
+/**
+ * Looking Glass
+ * Copyright © 2017-2024 The Looking Glass Authors
+ * https://looking-glass.io
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+ * Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
+ * more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59
+ * Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
 #include "backend.h"
+#include "d12.h"
 
 #include "com_ref.h"
 #include "common/debug.h"
@@ -33,8 +54,6 @@ typedef struct DDInstance
 {
   D12Backend base;
 
-  ComScope * comScope;
-
   HDESK desktop;
 
   ID3D12Device3          ** d12device;
@@ -54,9 +73,6 @@ typedef struct DDInstance
 }
 DDInstance;
 
-#define comRef_toGlobal(dst, src) \
-  _comRef_toGlobal(this->comScope, dst, src)
-
 static void d12_dd_openDesktop(DDInstance * this);
 static bool d12_dd_handleFrameUpdate(DDInstance * this, IDXGIResource * res);
 
@@ -95,7 +111,6 @@ static bool d12_dd_init(
   bool result = false;
   HRESULT hr;
 
-  comRef_initGlobalScope(10 + CACHE_SIZE * 2, this->comScope);
   comRef_scopePush(10);
 
   // try to open the desktop so we can capture the secure desktop
@@ -249,8 +264,6 @@ static bool d12_dd_init(
 
 exit:
   comRef_scopePop();
-  if (!result)
-    comRef_freeScope(&this->comScope);
 
   return result;
 }
@@ -271,7 +284,6 @@ static bool d12_dd_deinit(D12Backend * instance)
     this->desktop = NULL;
   }
 
-  comRef_freeScope(&this->comScope);
   memset(this->cache, 0, sizeof(this->cache));
   return true;
 }
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.c b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..928a17147
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.c
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+/**
+ * Looking Glass
+ * Copyright © 2017-2024 The Looking Glass Authors
+ * https://looking-glass.io
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+ * Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
+ * more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59
+ * Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#include "command_group.h"
+#include "d12.h"
+
+#include "com_ref.h"
+#include "common/debug.h"
+#include "common/windebug.h"
+
+bool d12_commandGroupCreate(ID3D12Device3 * device, D3D12_COMMAND_LIST_TYPE type,
+  D12CommandGroup * dst, LPCWSTR name)
+{
+  bool result = false;
+  HRESULT hr;
+  comRef_scopePush(10);
+
+  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12CommandAllocator, allocator);
+  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateCommandAllocator(
+    device,
+    type,
+    &IID_ID3D12CommandAllocator,
+    (void **)allocator);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_ERROR("Failed to create the ID3D12CommandAllocator");
+    goto exit;
+  }
+  ID3D12CommandAllocator_SetName(*allocator, name);
+
+  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12GraphicsCommandList, gfxList);
+  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateCommandList(
+    device,
+    0,
+    type,
+    *allocator,
+    NULL,
+    &IID_ID3D12GraphicsCommandList,
+    (void **)gfxList);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create ID3D12GraphicsCommandList", hr);
+    goto exit;
+  }
+  ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_SetName(*gfxList, name);
+
+  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12CommandList, cmdList);
+  hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_QueryInterface(
+    *gfxList, &IID_ID3D12CommandList, (void **)cmdList);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to query the ID3D12CommandList interface", hr);
+    goto exit;
+  }
+
+  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12Fence, fence);
+  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateFence(
+    device, 0, D3D12_FENCE_FLAG_NONE, &IID_ID3D12Fence, (void **)fence);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create ID3D12Fence", hr);
+    goto exit;
+  }
+
+  // Create the completion event for the fence
+  HANDLE event = CreateEvent(NULL, FALSE, FALSE, NULL);
+  if (!event)
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create the completion event", GetLastError());
+    goto exit;
+  }
+
+  comRef_toGlobal(dst->allocator, allocator);
+  comRef_toGlobal(dst->gfxList  , gfxList  );
+  comRef_toGlobal(dst->cmdList  , cmdList  );
+  comRef_toGlobal(dst->fence    , fence    );
+  dst->event      = event;
+  dst->fenceValue = 0;
+
+  result = true;
+
+exit:
+  comRef_scopePop();
+  return result;
+}
+
+void d12_commandGroupFree(D12CommandGroup * grp)
+{
+  // only the handle needs to be free'd, the rest is handled by comRef
+  if (grp->event)
+  {
+    CloseHandle(grp->event);
+    grp->event = NULL;
+  }
+}
+
+bool d12_commandGroupExecute(ID3D12CommandQueue * queue, D12CommandGroup * grp)
+{
+  HRESULT hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_Close(*grp->gfxList);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to close the command list", hr);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  ID3D12CommandQueue_ExecuteCommandLists(queue, 1, grp->cmdList);
+
+  hr = ID3D12CommandQueue_Signal(queue, *grp->fence, ++grp->fenceValue);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to set the fence signal", hr);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (ID3D12Fence_GetCompletedValue(*grp->fence) < grp->fenceValue)
+  {
+    ID3D12Fence_SetEventOnCompletion(*grp->fence, grp->fenceValue, grp->event);
+    WaitForSingleObject(grp->event, INFINITE);
+  }
+
+  hr = ID3D12CommandAllocator_Reset(*grp->allocator);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to reset the command allocator", hr);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_Reset(*grp->gfxList, *grp->allocator, NULL);
+  if (FAILED(hr))
+  {
+    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to reset the graphics command list", hr);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.h b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..119a566d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/command_group.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/**
+ * Looking Glass
+ * Copyright © 2017-2024 The Looking Glass Authors
+ * https://looking-glass.io
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+ * Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
+ * more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59
+ * Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#ifndef _H_D12_COMMANDGROUP_
+#define _H_D12_COMMANDGROUP_
+
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <d3d12.h>
+
+typedef struct D12CommandGroup
+{
+  ID3D12CommandAllocator    ** allocator;
+  ID3D12GraphicsCommandList ** gfxList;
+  ID3D12CommandList         ** cmdList;
+  ID3D12Fence               ** fence;
+  HANDLE                       event;
+  UINT64                       fenceValue;
+}
+D12CommandGroup;
+
+bool d12_commandGroupCreate(ID3D12Device3 * device, D3D12_COMMAND_LIST_TYPE type,
+  D12CommandGroup * dst, PCWSTR name);
+
+void d12_commandGroupFree(D12CommandGroup * grp);
+
+bool d12_commandGroupExecute(ID3D12CommandQueue * queue, D12CommandGroup * grp);
+
+#endif
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.c b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.c
index acbb51e93..6bed0d0b9 100644
--- a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.c
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.c
@@ -1,3 +1,25 @@
+/**
+ * Looking Glass
+ * Copyright © 2017-2024 The Looking Glass Authors
+ * https://looking-glass.io
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+ * Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
+ * more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59
+ * Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#include "d12.h"
+
 #include "interface/capture.h"
 
 #include "common/array.h"
@@ -6,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "com_ref.h"
 
 #include "backend.h"
+#include "command_group.h"
 
 #include <dxgi.h>
 #include <dxgi1_3.h>
@@ -25,21 +48,8 @@ typedef HRESULT (*D3D12GetDebugInterface_t)(
   void   **ppvDebug
 );
 
-typedef struct D12CommandGroup
-{
-  ID3D12CommandAllocator    ** allocator;
-  ID3D12GraphicsCommandList ** gfxList;
-  ID3D12CommandList         ** cmdList;
-  ID3D12Fence               ** fence;
-  HANDLE                       event;
-  UINT64                       fenceValue;
-}
-D12CommandGroup;
-
 struct D12Interface
 {
-  ComScope * comScope;
-
   HMODULE                  d3d12;
   D3D12CreateDevice_t      D3D12CreateDevice;
   D3D12GetDebugInterface_t D3D12GetDebugInterface;
@@ -78,10 +88,9 @@ struct D12Interface
   frameBuffers[0];
 };
 
-// defines
+// gloabls
 
-#define comRef_toGlobal(dst, src) \
-  _comRef_toGlobal(this->comScope, dst, src)
+ComScope * d12_comScope = NULL;
 
 // locals
 
@@ -94,18 +103,6 @@ static bool d12_enumerateDevices(
   IDXGIAdapter1 ** adapter,
   IDXGIOutput   ** output);
 
-static bool d12_createCommandGroup(
-  ID3D12Device3            * device,
-  D3D12_COMMAND_LIST_TYPE    type,
-  D12CommandGroup          * dst,
-  LPCWSTR name);
-
-static void d12_freeCommandGroup(
-  D12CommandGroup * grp);
-
-static bool d12_executeCommandGroup(
-  D12CommandGroup * grp);
-
 static ID3D12Resource * d12_frameBufferToResource(
   unsigned      frameBufferIndex,
   FrameBuffer * frameBuffer,
@@ -180,7 +177,7 @@ static bool d12_create(
 static bool d12_init(void * ivshmemBase, unsigned * alignSize)
 {
   bool result = false;
-  comRef_initGlobalScope(100, this->comScope);
+  comRef_initGlobalScope(100, d12_comScope);
   comRef_scopePush(10);
 
   // create a DXGI factory
@@ -258,7 +255,7 @@ static bool d12_init(void * ivshmemBase, unsigned * alignSize)
   }
   ID3D12CommandQueue_SetName(*commandQueue, L"Command Queue");
 
-  if (!d12_createCommandGroup(
+  if (!d12_commandGroupCreate(
     *device, D3D12_COMMAND_LIST_TYPE_COPY, &this->copyCommand, L"Copy"))
     goto exit;
 
@@ -291,7 +288,7 @@ static bool d12_init(void * ivshmemBase, unsigned * alignSize)
 exit:
   comRef_scopePop();
   if (!result)
-    comRef_freeScope(&this->comScope);
+    comRef_freeScope(&d12_comScope);
 
   return result;
 }
@@ -306,8 +303,8 @@ static bool d12_deinit(void)
   if (!this->backend->deinit(this->backend))
     result = false;
 
-  d12_freeCommandGroup(&this->copyCommand);
-  comRef_freeScope(&this->comScope);
+  d12_commandGroupFree(&this->copyCommand);
+  comRef_freeScope(&d12_comScope);
   return result;
 }
 
@@ -430,7 +427,7 @@ static CaptureResult d12_getFrame(unsigned frameBufferIndex,
   if (result != CAPTURE_RESULT_OK)
     goto exit;
 
-  d12_executeCommandGroup(&this->copyCommand);
+  d12_commandGroupExecute(*this->commandQueue, &this->copyCommand);
 
   framebuffer_set_write_ptr(frameBuffer, desc.Height * desc.Width * 4);
   result = CAPTURE_RESULT_OK;
@@ -524,140 +521,6 @@ static bool d12_enumerateDevices(
   return true;
 }
 
-static bool d12_createCommandGroup(
-  ID3D12Device3            * device,
-  D3D12_COMMAND_LIST_TYPE    type,
-  D12CommandGroup          * dst,
-  LPCWSTR name)
-{
-  bool result = false;
-  HRESULT hr;
-  comRef_scopePush(10);
-
-  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12CommandAllocator, allocator);
-  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateCommandAllocator(
-    device,
-    type,
-    &IID_ID3D12CommandAllocator,
-    (void **)allocator);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_ERROR("Failed to create the ID3D12CommandAllocator");
-    goto exit;
-  }
-  ID3D12CommandAllocator_SetName(*allocator, name);
-
-  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12GraphicsCommandList, gfxList);
-  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateCommandList(
-    device,
-    0,
-    type,
-    *allocator,
-    NULL,
-    &IID_ID3D12GraphicsCommandList,
-    (void **)gfxList);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create ID3D12GraphicsCommandList", hr);
-    goto exit;
-  }
-  ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_SetName(*gfxList, name);
-
-  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12CommandList, cmdList);
-  hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_QueryInterface(
-    *gfxList, &IID_ID3D12CommandList, (void **)cmdList);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to query the ID3D12CommandList interface", hr);
-    goto exit;
-  }
-
-  comRef_defineLocal(ID3D12Fence, fence);
-  hr = ID3D12Device3_CreateFence(
-    device, 0, D3D12_FENCE_FLAG_NONE, &IID_ID3D12Fence, (void **)fence);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create ID3D12Fence", hr);
-    goto exit;
-  }
-
-  // Create the completion event for the fence
-  HANDLE event = CreateEvent(NULL, FALSE, FALSE, NULL);
-  if (!event)
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to create the completion event", GetLastError());
-    goto exit;
-  }
-
-  comRef_toGlobal(dst->allocator, allocator);
-  comRef_toGlobal(dst->gfxList  , gfxList  );
-  comRef_toGlobal(dst->cmdList  , cmdList  );
-  comRef_toGlobal(dst->fence    , fence    );
-  dst->event      = event;
-  dst->fenceValue = 0;
-
-  result = true;
-
-exit:
-  comRef_scopePop();
-  return result;
-}
-
-static void d12_freeCommandGroup(
-  D12CommandGroup * grp)
-{
-  // com objet release is handled by comRef, but the handle is not
-  if (grp->event)
-  {
-    CloseHandle(grp->event);
-    grp->event = NULL;
-  }
-}
-
-static bool d12_executeCommandGroup(
-  D12CommandGroup * grp)
-{
-  HRESULT hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_Close(*grp->gfxList);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to close the command list", hr);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  ID3D12CommandQueue_ExecuteCommandLists(
-    *this->commandQueue, 1, grp->cmdList);
-
-  hr = ID3D12CommandQueue_Signal(
-    *this->commandQueue, *grp->fence, ++grp->fenceValue);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to set the fence signal", hr);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  if (ID3D12Fence_GetCompletedValue(*grp->fence) < grp->fenceValue)
-  {
-    ID3D12Fence_SetEventOnCompletion(*grp->fence, grp->fenceValue, grp->event);
-    WaitForSingleObject(grp->event, INFINITE);
-  }
-
-  hr = ID3D12CommandAllocator_Reset(*grp->allocator);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to reset the command allocator", hr);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  hr = ID3D12GraphicsCommandList_Reset(*grp->gfxList, *grp->allocator, NULL);
-  if (FAILED(hr))
-  {
-    DEBUG_WINERROR("Failed to reset the graphics command list", hr);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  return true;
-}
-
 static ID3D12Resource * d12_frameBufferToResource(unsigned frameBufferIndex,
   FrameBuffer * frameBuffer, unsigned size)
 {
diff --git a/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.h b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..826d4a175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/platform/Windows/capture/D12/d12.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/**
+ * Looking Glass
+ * Copyright © 2017-2024 The Looking Glass Authors
+ * https://looking-glass.io
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+ * Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option)
+ * any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for
+ * more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
+ * with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59
+ * Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
+#ifndef _H_D12_
+#define _H_D12_
+
+#include "com_ref.h"
+#include "interface/capture.h"
+
+extern ComScope * d12_comScope;
+#define comRef_toGlobal(dst, src) \
+  _comRef_toGlobal(d12_comScope, dst, src)
+
+// APIs for the backends to call
+
+void d12_updatePointer(
+  CapturePointer * pointer, void * shape, size_t shapeSize);
+
+#endif