USB 3.0 Sharing Switch: How to Share Peripherals
By Plugable #1 in Docking Stations and USB Devices ~ Plugable ... | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use a USB sharing switch to share a mouse, keyboard, printer, or other USB devices between two computers with one-touch switching.
Quick answer
A USB sharing switch lets you connect one set of USB peripherals to two computers and switch access with a button press—no software or drivers required.
Why use a USB sharing switch instead of unplugging cables?
Constantly unplugging and replugging a mouse, keyboard, or printer wears out ports and wastes time. A USB sharing switch routes a single set of peripherals to two computers, so you can switch with a button instead of reaching behind your desk.
Unlike a KVM switch, a USB sharing switch only shares USB devices—it does not pass video signals. If you also need to share monitors, look for a KVM or a switch that supports video.
What can you share through a USB switch?
You can share almost any USB device: mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, external drive, or even a graphics adapter. The Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch supports USB 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 devices, so older peripherals work too.
For more than one device, attach a powered USB hub to the switch. This lets you switch access to everything connected to the hub—like a mouse, keyboard, and printer—all at once.
How to set up and use a USB sharing switch
- Connect the switch to both computers: Plug the USB cable from the switch's 'Computer 1' port into one computer, and the cable from 'Computer 2' port into the other computer. Use the included cables or high-quality USB cables. Make sure both computers are powered on before connecting.
- Attach your peripherals: Connect your mouse, keyboard, printer, or other USB devices to the switch's peripheral ports. If you have multiple devices, connect a powered USB hub to the switch and then plug your devices into the hub. Use a powered hub for multiple devices to avoid power issues.
- Switch between computers: Press the button on the switch to change which computer has access to the connected peripherals. The selected computer will immediately recognize the devices. If a device doesn't respond, press the button again and check the connection.
Product spotlight
- Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch: The Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch provides one-touch switching of access between two computers to a USB mouse, printer, scanner, graphics adapter, docking station, or any other attached USB 3.0/2.0/1.1 device. This means you can share a wide range of peripherals without needing separate devices for each computer, saving desk space and money.
Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch - Plugable USB 3.0 Sharing Switch: You can attach a powered USB hub to the switch instead of a single device for switched access to everything connected to the hub. This lets you share multiple peripherals at once, making the switch a central hub for your whole desk setup.
