Scanner for Remote Desktop: Extended Guide

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.

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 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.

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.