Sharing a scanner across a network can often be more complicated and costly than it needs to be. Many solutions require purchasing expensive software or are only available on a trial basis. If you’ve been searching for a truly free and straightforward way to share your scanner over a network, you’re in the right place. This guide introduces Cloudscan, a free software solution that makes sharing your scanner simple and accessible from any computer on your network.
Setting Up Cloudscan to Share Your Scanner
Cloudscan offers a browser-based approach to network scanner sharing, eliminating the need for complicated installations on every client machine. Here’s how to get started:
1. Install Cloudscan on the Host PC (The Computer Connected to Your Scanner)
First, you’ll need to download and install the Cloudscan software on the computer that is directly connected to your scanner. This machine will act as the host, making the scanner available to other devices on the network.
Download Cloudscan here: Sharedscanner.zip
Once downloaded, install Cloudscan on the host computer. After installation, run the “Sharing Scanner” application from your desktop. This will open a webpage in your browser – this page is the key to accessing your shared scanner from other computers.
2. Access the Scanner from Client PCs on Your Network
To use the shared scanner from another computer on your network, you’ll need to open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) and navigate to the Cloudscan webpage that opened on the host computer. The easiest way to do this is to copy the URL from the host computer’s browser and paste it into the browser on the client PC.
Alternatively, on the client PC, you can directly enter the IP address of the host computer followed by the Cloudscan path. When prompted on the client PC’s browser, enter the IP address of the host machine where the scanner is installed.
Scanning and Saving Documents Over the Network
With Cloudscan set up, you can now scan documents from any networked computer.
Initiating a Scan
Navigate to the Cloudscan webpage on your client computer. You should see the scanning interface. Initiate the scan process as you normally would with your scanner.
Saving Your Scanned Documents (Free Version Notes)
In the free version of Cloudscan, you can save your scans in PDF and TIFF formats. When you are ready to save your scanned document, you will encounter a prompt to upgrade to the premium version. Simply click “Continue” to proceed with saving in the free version.
To save the scanned document, right-click on the “Saved Document” link and choose “Save Link As.” Select your desired save location and rename the file as needed.
Creating a Desktop Shortcut for Quick Access
For easier access to the shared scanner, you can create a desktop shortcut to the Cloudscan webpage on your client computers.
Creating a Browser Shortcut
In Chrome, you can drag the URL from the address bar directly to your desktop to create a shortcut. Alternatively, you can use Chrome’s menu to “More Tools” and then “Create shortcut.”
For Firefox, simply drag the URL to your desktop to create a shortcut. You can customize the shortcut icon as desired.
Creating a Batch File Shortcut (Advanced)
For a more streamlined shortcut, especially on Windows 7 (x86), you can create a batch file. Open Notepad and paste the following script, replacing the IP address with the IP of your host computer. Save the file with a .bat extension (e.g., ScannerShortcut.bat) in your C: or D: drive.
For Mozilla Firefox:
@echo off
start firefox.exe http://www.scanworkssoftware.com/products/cloudscan2/cloudscan.html?sharedscanner=YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESS
exitFor Google Chrome:
@echo off
start chrome.exe http://www.scanworkssoftware.com/products/cloudscan2/cloudscan.html?sharedscanner=YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESS
exitReplace YOUR_HOST_IP_ADDRESS with the actual IP address of the computer hosting the scanner. To create a desktop shortcut, right-click the .bat file, select “Send To,” and then “Desktop (Create Shortcut).” You can also customize the shortcut icon.
Important Considerations
- Ensure Cloudscan Runs on Startup: For continuous scanner sharing, make sure the Cloudscan application is running whenever the host computer is on. It’s advisable to set it to run automatically at startup.
- Free Software Disclaimer: Cloudscan is provided as free software. Use it at your own risk, understanding that there is no guarantee of performance or support.
Conclusion
Cloudscan offers a practical and free solution for sharing your scanner over a network. It’s easy to set up and use, making it a great option for home or small office environments looking to share a scanner without incurring additional costs. Give Cloudscan a try and simplify your network scanning needs today!
