I’m trying to access a USB device that’s plugged into another computer on my network, but I’m not sure how to connect or control it remotely. Has anyone set up a remote USB connection before or can walk me through the steps? I need this for sharing devices between computers without physically unplugging them every time.
Alright, so you want to plug something into a USB port on one computer and magically use it from a whole other PC in your house/office/lair of doom, right? You’re not alone, because remote USB device sharing is weirdly annoying for something that sounds so simple. I tried a bunch of “DIY” methods in the past (think complicated SSH tunnels, weird RDP tricks, and “Why won’t Windows just let me do this already?”) and mostly just got headaches.
Your best bet? Use some dedicated software—seriously, it’s just easier and way less rage-inducing. There’s this tool called FlexiHub, and it’s basically made for situations just like yours. Here’s roughly how it works:
- Install FlexiHub on the computer with the USB device plugged in (the “host”).
- Install it again on the computer that needs to access the device (the “client”).
- Log into your FlexiHub account on both machines (you’ll need to register first, obviously).
- On your client machine, you’ll see a list of available USB devices that are plugged into the host machine. Just connect to the device you want, and boom—your local computer acts like the device is plugged in right there.
It works for all kinds of stuff—printers, USB keys, dongles, all that jazz—and it handles the networking details in the background (even works across the internet, not just a local network). The only real catch is the free plan is limited, so if you need this all the time, be ready to cough up for a subscription.
I’ve tried the open-source route with stuff like USB/IP—it’s possible, but way more setup, less polished, and sometimes glitchy (drivers don’t always play nicely with newer versions of Windows). So unless you’re really into tinkering, just grab FlexiHub.
Here’s a sweet resource with more details if you want to see the steps, system requirements, etc.: Effortless USB device sharing between computers
TL;DR: Don’t waste hours, just use FlexiHub. Life’s too short for driver errors.
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Not gonna lie, remote USB access absolutely shouldn’t be as convoluted as it is in 2024. I get where you’re coming from—sometimes you just want to plug a printer, security key, or even a random MIDI controller into one machine and use it from across the house like you’re living in a sci-fi utopia. But reality? Not quite there, buddy.
@caminantenocturno’s suggestion of FlexiHub is honestly the sane choice for most people. But before handing over cash or subscribing, let’s just talk about alternatives—I mean, do you realllly wanna pay for “using a USB drive over the network”? Because my bank account has opinions.
First, if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s the old-school USB/IP setup. It’s open-source, works on Windows and Linux (kinda), and the documentation reads like a sleep aid. Seriously, it’s as stable as my relationship with Friday deadlines. Basically you:
- Install USB/IP tools/drivers (Windows needs extra drama here, beware).
- Share (“export”) USB devices from the host.
- “Attach” those devices on the client machine.
Pro: Free. Con: Getting this running on modern Windows can be a pain, driver signing errors included as a bonus. On Linux, it’s a bit better, but you’ll be in terminal hell.
You could also try plugging the device into a Raspberry Pi and exposing it that way if you want maximum nerd cred, but unless you have a spare unit gathering dust, it’s way more effort than it’s worth.
Steam Remote Play and RDP have hacky workarounds for very specific scenarios (mostly gaming controllers or basic storage), but if you need something reliable for anything like a smartcard, printer, or, god forbid, a security dongle, forget it.
But here’s a legit suggestion: some routers with USB ports let you mount attached drives over the network natively—great for USB storage, useless for almost everything else.
Bottom line? If you value your sanity, snag FlexiHub. They actually keep the drivers updated, and the “it just works” factor is high. There’s even a free trial to see if it isn’t vaporware. Check out what they offer at remote USB access made easy.
If after all that you wanna go full mad scientist, try USB/IP. Otherwise, keep your blood pressure low and go with something purpose-built. If anyone’s got a hack that’s reliable AND free, drop it—cause clearly Windows ain’t helping anytime soon.
Let me add a slightly different angle: if your goal is “remote USB access without constant wrestling,” FlexiHub is well-marketed for a reason—it usually just works, and it cuts so much headache with plug-and-play style sharing for most USB gadgets. Major pro: you don’t need network brain surgery or constant reboots to keep things happy. Cons? Subscription fees (ugh), and if you’re deathly allergic to cloud connections or want everything 100% offline, you’ll probably side-eye its setup.
BUT there’s another workaround not getting as much love. Certain pro-level remote desktop solutions (think AnyDesk, Splashtop Business, Parallels) do actually support USB redirection for things like printers and storage—no, it’s not universal, and it’s buried in the paid tiers, but if you already use remote desktop for other stuff, check whether USB redirection is quietly included. It can be flakier for weird specialty dongles (Wacom tablets, security keys… sometimes DOA), but basic sticks and printers are often fine.
Agree with both previous responses that USB/IP is for the patient, not the impatient—especially on Windows, driver hell is real. I’ve personally had USB/IP nuke a test box once, so… proceed at your own risk. As for router-front USB: awesome for storage, but you won’t be getting anything fancier working (forget webcams, HID devices, etc.).
TLDR for any newcomers: if you want USB magic with minimal grief, FlexiHub is the most “normal user safe” and supports both LAN and cloud. Watch out for subscription fatigue and check if your exact device is supported. The previous posters did a deep dive on open-source, but for most folks looking for reliability over fiddling, it’s FlexiHub or nothing. But if you’re already invested in certain remote desktop ecosystems, peep their docs for potential USB pass-through stealth features—they’re not always advertised front and center.
Bonus tip: If all you want is remote file access (not hardware pass-through), something like a simple network share or NAS beats all of the above and is free. If device control matters, stick to what works—cue FlexiHub, a rare case where paying is (annoyingly) worth it.