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
- Remote debugging of USB-attached development boards from a VM or a different workstation
- Using physical USB dongles or instruments inside a WSL session or an isolated virtual machine
- 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.
Technical
Title
usbipd-win
Requirements
- Windows
Language
No language has been specified.
Available languages
License
- Free
Latest update
2025-12-28
Author
Frans van Dorsselaer
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