How to share USB scanner on network

Let's talk about sharing a USB scanner over network, LAN or wireless. I will borrow an example from my recent guide on sharing a USB printer: there are two Windows machines — one is in my home office upstairs, the other one is in a room downstairs, they need shared access to a USB scanner.

The PC upstairs has Lexmark 3500-4500 Series device connected to it via USB cable. I have a Wi-Fi router and wireless network, and I am to figure out various ways of sharing the scanner.

Contents

• Method 1: Sharing scanner over network
• Method 2: Using classical USB sharing software
• Method 3: Windows functionality

Step-by-step guide:

1. Choose FlexiHub subscription here and install the software on each of your PCs that need access to the shared scanner. Choose the subscription plan to get the full functionality.
   Click Sign Up button in the app window and register.
2. Launch FlexiHub and enter your login credentials — e-mail and password.
3. Do the same for another PC that needs shared access.
   In the FlexiHub window on another computer find the scanner and select Connect.
4. Here you go! Now the remote scanner is recognised like plugged in directly to your computer.

The free subscription - FlexiShare allows only to send invites to your local devices, you won't have an opportunity to access remote ones. To share and access your scanner you need to get FlexiAccess subscription.

• The app is easy-to-use with no redundant settings or buttons;
• Supports Windows, Mac and Linux;
• Shares any USB and serial devices — printers, keyboards, fax machines, bluetooth adapters, etc.

• Connection to remote devices is not possible in free plan.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download USB Network Gate from the official web site, follow this link. Install the software on all the computers that need shared access.
2. Once the app is installed on all computers, the connected device will be displayed in the app’s window. Press Share next to the name of a scanner, and it will appear in USB Network Gate on other computer. It’s ready to be used. If you need, you can add encryption or compression to the connection. Change ports to which the device is connected via USB Network Gate settings.

• 14-day trial version you can test and use for various experiments;
• Works across platforms — Windows, Mac, Linux and Android;
• Supports all USB devices, not only scanners;
• Support services are available any time.

• If you want to use it for more than 14 days, you will have to purchase a license;
• High price.

Method 3: Windows functionality

Windows OS offers functionality to share a scanner with other computers, or set it up as a wireless scanner on your network.

This is how you do it:

Step 1
Plug in your scanner’s USB cable to a computer connected to the network or to the USB port of a router or modem. Follow the instructions to install the scanner, if it has not been done before. You can refer to the installation instructions specific to your scanner model or Microsoft guide.

Step 2
Open Control Panel from Start menu, go to Network and Sharing Center and click View network computers and devices.

Step 3
Right-click your scanner icon and select Install to make it accessible to other machines in the network.

Note:

This does not work on Windows XP, there is no such option. To share printer on Windows XP try either of the above methods.

• Works only on Windows 7 and Vista;
• Anyone in the network can use the shared scanner;
• The connection cannot be protected — anyone can access scanned images, including important documents.

Finally

As you see, FlexiHub seems to be the easiest way to share the printer over the network. You don’t need any additional settings or hardware — just the single point access from the FlexiHub account.