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Scanner for Remote Desktop: Extended Guide

Editorial Team Editorial Team Aug 17, 2023

Microsoft Remote Desktop doesn’t support using a local scanner with remote desktop by default. While utilizing peripheral devices like external drives and printers is quite easy, using a scanner over the remote desktop can only be done with 3rd-party software.

scanner for remote desktop

USB Network Gate is a powerful application that gives users access to their scanning equipment during RDP sessions. Thus allowing someone to use local scanner remote desktop functionality!

Remote scanning solution

Once you successfully create the remote session you need to access a USB scanner connected to the local machine. This can be challenging, especially when the remote scanner is required to interact with an application running on the server.

Trying to implement Remote Desktop scanning can pose challenges when working with cloud-based or terminal server environments. When remote desktop scanner redirection support isn’t available by default, USB to Remote Desktop software is here to solve the problem.

This software makes it possible for users to scan over RDP with the same level of convenience and functionality that one would experience if their device was physically connected to the remote machine.

How to connect a scanner to a remote desktop

For users wondering how to use scanners through remote desktops, this section is for you. When remote desktop scanner redirection isn’t supported, USB Network Gate allows users access to their local USB scanners as effectively as if they were plugged physically into the remote machine.


Follow the steps below to configure and use the local scanner with the remote desktop:

  1. 1
    On the computer that is physically connected to the scanner (referred to as the "server" computer), download and install the USB Network Gate application.

    download and install the USB Network Gate
  2. 2
    Then download and install USB Network Gate on the remote machine which is connected via RDP (referred to as the "client" computer).

    remote machine which is connected via RDP
  3. 3
    Launch USB Network Gate on both the server and client computers.

    Launch USB Network Gate on both the server
  4. 4
    On the server computer, choose the desired USB scanner from USB Network Gate’s "Local USB Devices" tab and select "Share".

     choose the desired USB scanner from USB Network Gate’s
  5. 5
    In the RDP session (client computer), navigate to the "Remote Devices" tab and click "Connect" to create the connection.

    click Connect
  6. 6
    Once the connection is successfully established, the USB scanner will be recognized by the client computer’s Device Manager.

How remote desktop scanner software works

USB Network Gate software connects a USB scanning device that is physically plugged into a computer (known as the “server” computer) and then makes that device accessible to a remote desktop machine (known as the “client” computer).

USB Network Gate establishes a virtual USB port, allowing users to access their scanner (or any other network-attached USB devices) via the remote desktop.
With USB Network Gate, once a device is inserted into the USB port of a local (server) computer, users can utilize said devices over remote desktop sessions.

Note: To make the application easier to use, the server and client portions are all part of a single program. When setting up the software to enable a remote scan, you only need to register the server part of the application. You are not required to register the client. USB devices that are shared on the server can be accessed by any Network Gate client. Your RDP scan will work after the software’s trial period with no further configuration.


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Barcode scanner in remote desktop

Having access to a barcode scanner in the remote desktop is a feature that anyone relying on modern POS systems needs to do business efficiently. While using cloud-based systems for scanner access during RDP is possible, it may be necessary to invest in additional equipment to function properly.

With USB Network Gate, that isn’t necessary, which means you can save costs by sharing a barcode scanner over RDP. How? Because our software redirects data from a local barcode scanner to the remote desktop and makes it easily accessible (and fully functional) during a remote desktop session.

FAQ

RDP scanning is not directly supported by the Remote Desktop Protocol. Clients running under RDP can access a subset of USB devices such as external drives and printers, but remote scanners cannot be used without additional support. USB Network Gate offers a solution with remote scanning software that enables you to easily implement and use an RDP scanner.
The software offers a user-friendly solution for scanning documents during a remote desktop session. It enables the safe redirection of image scanners over Microsoft RDP, Citrix ICA, and Teradici PCoIP to individual remote desktop sessions, eliminating any complications or difficulties.
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