Frustrated by expensive scanner sharing software? Many users search for solutions to share their scanners across a network without resorting to costly and often complicated software. While options like Blindscanner or USB over Network exist, they often come with trial periods or price tags. Luckily, there’s a free and straightforward alternative: Cloudscan.
This guide will walk you through using Cloudscan, a browser-based application, to easily share your scanner across your local network – and the best part? It’s completely free! Let’s dive into how you can set up scanner sharing without the hassle of paid software.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing Your Scanner with Cloudscan
Cloudscan simplifies scanner sharing by utilizing a web browser interface. Here’s how to get it up and running:
1. Install Cloudscan on the Host PC (PC with Scanner)
The first step is to install the Cloudscan software on the computer that is directly connected to your scanner. This PC will act as the “host” or “server” for your scanner sharing setup.
- Download Cloudscan: Visit the Scanworks Software website and download the Cloudscan software. You can find the download link here.
- Installation: Once downloaded, locate the
sharedscanner.zipfile and extract its contents. Run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Cloudscan on your host PC. - Run Sharing Scanner: After installation, you should find a shortcut on your desktop labeled “Sharing Scanner”. Double-click this shortcut to launch Cloudscan. This will open a webpage in your default browser. This webpage is the key to accessing your shared scanner from other computers on the network.
2. Access the Scanner from Client PCs (via Browser)
Now that Cloudscan is running on the host PC, you can access the shared scanner from other computers (clients) on the same network using just a web browser.
- Copy the Webpage Link: On the host PC, copy the URL from the Cloudscan webpage that opened when you launched “Sharing Scanner.”
- Open Browser on Client PC: Go to another computer on your network that you want to use to scan. Open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) on this client PC.
- Paste and Go: Paste the copied URL into the browser’s address bar on the client PC and press Enter.
- Enter Host IP Address: You will be prompted to enter the IP address of the host PC (the computer where the scanner is physically connected and Cloudscan is installed). Enter the IP address and click “Connect”.
Now you should be able to access the scanner interface through your browser on the client PC and start scanning documents!
3. Saving Scanned Documents (PDF & TIFF in Free Version)
With the free version of Cloudscan, you can save your scanned documents in two common formats: PDF and TIFF.
- Scan Your Document: Use the Cloudscan interface in your browser to scan your document as you normally would.
- Save the Scanned File: After scanning, when you go to save the document, you might see prompts to upgrade to the premium version. Simply ignore these for now.
- Continue Saving: Click the “Continue” button (or similar) to proceed with saving in the free version.
- Save Link As: Right-click on the “Saved Document” link that appears. Select “Save Link As…” (or “Save Target As…” depending on your browser).
- Choose Save Location: Choose the folder on your client PC where you want to save the scanned file. Give your file a name and click “Save”.
Creating Desktop Shortcuts for Easy Access
For quicker access to the shared scanner from client PCs, you can create desktop shortcuts. This eliminates the need to manually enter the URL each time.
Chrome Shortcut
- Drag and Drop: In Chrome, simply drag the URL from the address bar directly onto your desktop. This will create a shortcut.
- Alternative Method: You can also create a shortcut by going to Chrome’s menu > More Tools > Create shortcut.
Firefox Shortcut
- Drag and Drop: Similar to Chrome, in Firefox, you can drag the URL from the address bar directly to your desktop to create a shortcut.
Batch File Shortcuts (For Advanced Users)
For a more customized shortcut, especially if you want to pre-fill the host IP address, you can use a batch file.
- Open Notepad: Open Notepad (or any plain text editor).
- Paste the Script: Paste the following script into Notepad, choosing the script for your preferred browser (Chrome or Firefox):
A. Firefox Browser
@echo off
start firefox.exe http://www.scanworkssoftware.com/products/cloudscan2/cloudscan.html?sharedscanner=YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESS
exitB. Chrome Browser
@echo off
start chrome.exe http://www.scanworkssoftware.com/products/cloudscan2/cloudscan.html?sharedscanner=YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESS
exit- Replace Placeholder IP: Replace
YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESSwith the actual IP address of the host PC where Cloudscan and the scanner are installed. For example:192.168.1.100. - Save as .bat File: Save the file with a
.batextension (e.g.,ScannerShortcut.bat) to a location like your C: or D: drive. - Create Desktop Shortcut: Right-click on the
.batfile, select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut)”. - Customize Shortcut: You can right-click the shortcut on your desktop, go to “Properties,” and change the icon if desired.
Important Considerations and Disclaimer
- SharedScanner Must Be Running: Ensure the “Sharing Scanner” application is running on the host PC whenever you want to share the scanner. It’s recommended to have it start automatically when the host PC boots up.
- Free Version Limitations: Remember that the free version of Cloudscan limits you to saving scans as PDF and TIFF files. It may also display occasional prompts to upgrade to the premium version, which you can simply dismiss.
- Use at Your Own Risk: As with any free software, use Cloudscan at your own risk. The developers provide it “as is” and are not liable for any issues that may arise from its use.
Enjoy seamless scanner sharing across your network without spending a dime! Cloudscan offers a practical and free solution for users looking for an easy way to share a scanner without software complexity.
