Shadow PC allows you to connect a wide range of USB devices, from basic peripherals like mice and keyboards to high-performance accessories such as racing wheels, VR headsets, and capture cards. This guide will walk you through the different connection methods available—Plug and Play for standard devices and USB Peripherals for more advanced hardware—ensuring your devices function properly on Shadow PC. Whether you’re setting up a controller or troubleshooting a missing device, follow these steps to get started.

Use Plug and Play

Plug and Play (PnP) is a technology that allows a computer system to automatically detect and configure hardware components. This means some USB devices, like mice and keyboards, can be used as soon as they're plugged in.
Additional configuration may be required for microphones or controllers.

If your device isn't working, install USB Peripherals drivers and forward the device to Shadow PC.

Install USB Peripherals drivers

USB Peripherals will require you to install additional drivers from Shadow. When the drivers are installed, you can forward your USB devices to Shadow PC using a technology called USB redirection. These drivers can improve detection or compatibility issues.

Note: USB Peripherals is available on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu operating systems. Your computer will need to restart after installing USB drivers.

Open the Shadow PC launcher.
Click Settings → Controllers & USB.
Under Use my USB devices on my Shadow, click Install drivers.
Allow Shadow PC to install the USB drivers bundle. Finish installing the drivers in the installation window.
Restart your local computer.

Note: Shadow PC may need additional permissions on macOS.

If the drivers refuse to install or your USB device is disconnected, open the Apple Menu, then go to System Preferences → Security and Privacy → General, and click Allow at the bottom right of the new window.
Turn on your computer and start Shadow PC.
Open the Quick Menu.

To open the Quick Menu, start Shadow PC and click the Shadow PC icon at the top of the screen.

If you can't see the icon, the Quick Menu is disabled or incompatible with this device. Try using keyboard shortcuts to use Quick Menu commands.

Learn more about the Quick Menu.
In Controllers & USB , check the box next to the device you want to forward to Shadow PC.

Related questions

I can't see my device in the Quick Menu

If you've already installed the USB drivers , we recommend trying the solutions below:

Plug your device into a USB 3.0 port.
Use an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are more stable and in most cases yield faster upload speeds. If you don't have an Ethernet port on your device, prefer to use a 5GHz WiFi connection.
See if your device manufacturer has additional drivers you need to install
Shut down Shadow PC from the Start menu, Quick Menu, or the Help section of the Shadow PC launcher.
Restart your computer.
Uninstall and reinstall the USB drivers. In Settings , go to → Controllers & USB → Uninstall drivers. Restart your computer to install the USB drivers again.
Reset Shadow PC's settings in the General tab.
Make sure the device is compatible with the Windows operating system installed on your Shadow PC.

My device is enabled in the Quick Menu. Why isn't it working?

Some USB devices require large data transfers in order to work properly. To sustain the device, Shadow PC needs a fast upload speed, sometimes as high as 100Mb/s, and a low latency internet connection, with no packet loss.

This is especially true for devices that require:

File transfers
High video or audio quality
Real-time input

Test your connection for signs of slow upload speeds, high latency, and packet loss.

I can't check the box to forward my device from the Quick Menu

The drivers may not have been installed properly or they are out of date. Uninstall and reinstall the USB drivers.

In Settings, go to → Controllers & USB → Uninstall drivers. Restart your computer to install the USB drivers again.

Why did my device disappear from the Quick Menu?

The USB drivers may not recognize the device anymore and the device needs to be re-added.

To reconnect the device:

Shut down Shadow PC from the Start menu, Quick Menu, or the Help section of the Shadow PC launcher.
Unplug the USB device from your local computer.
Reconnect the device to the computer.
In the Shadow PC launcher, go to Settings → Controllers & USB, then click Clear redirected devices list.

My device disconnected from Shadow PC while I was using it

Over time, your local internet connection may encounter an issue and disconnect from your USB device. This is a possible sign of low upload speeds, high latency, or packet loss. A slow upload speed can become a bottleneck, causing delays, buffering, or even disconnections.