usbipd-win for Windows

Sharing USB peripherals across Windows hosts and virtual machines

usbipd-win is a Windows utility that makes local USB devices accessible to other systems across a network by implementing the USB/IP protocol. It lets you attach physically connected USB hardware to remote machines or virtualized environments, enabling seamless use of peripherals as if they were plugged in locally.

Benefits for virtualization and cross-platform workflows

This tool is particularly useful when working with Hyper-V virtual machines or the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). By exporting USB devices over the network, usbipd-win reduces the complexity of moving hardware between host and guest systems and streamlines testing, debugging, and development tasks that require direct access to USB devices.

Key capabilities

• Connect and disconnect USB peripherals with a simple interface that suits both beginners and experienced users
• Share locally attached USB hardware over TCP/IP so remote systems can interact with devices as if they were local
• Integrate with Hyper-V and WSL to make device management consistent across host and guest environments

Typical scenarios where it helps

1. Remote debugging of USB-attached development boards from a VM or a different workstation
2. Using physical USB dongles or instruments inside a WSL session or an isolated virtual machine
3. Centralized access to specialized USB devices for a team working on testing or QA

Suggested alternatives

• VirtualHere — a commercial solution with a free tier/trial that also exposes USB devices across networks
• KDE Connect — an open-source option focused on device integration between phones and desktops (useful for some USB-like interactions)
• SHAREit (free) — a general file/device sharing app that some users consider for simple cross-device transfers

Practical notes

• Ensure network security and trust boundaries are considered before exposing USB devices, since device access is now available across the network.
• Verify compatibility with specific hardware; some USB devices that rely on low-level timing or proprietary drivers may not function identically when shared over USB/IP.
• For production or sensitive uses, prefer secure networks or VPNs to prevent unintended access.