Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to transform your Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 into a portable USB gadget and use the WiFi from your laptop for your Pi 4. By connecting your Raspberry Pi directly to a Windows laptop with a single USB-C cable, you can access it without needing a separate monitor, keyboard, or mouse. I also cover how to share your laptop’s Wi-Fi connection with the Pi simultaneously, making it an ideal setup for traveling or working in new locations.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to enable USB Gadget Mode using the Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0.
- Generating a capabilities-enhanced manifest for advanced customization.
- Enabling Wi-Fi sharing from a Windows laptop to the Raspberry Pi.
- Accessing your Pi remotely via Raspberry Pi Connect.
What You Need:
- Raspberry Pi 4 - amzn.to/4tkKn82
or Raspberry Pi 5 - amzn.to/4toXcP2
- USB-C to USB-C Cable (Ensure your laptop port provides enough power) - amzn.to/49XlPuo
- MicroSD Card - amzn.to/49XlPuo
- USB Card Reader (if necessary) - amzn.to/46A4gOL
- Internet Connection
The links provided are affiliate links in which I may make a small commission but doesn't affect the price that you pay. This helps to keep my channel going to produce content for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- Intro to Raspberry Pi Connect: youtu.be/rvCaN1PSKY0
- USB Gadget Blog Post: raspberrypi.com/news/usb-gadget-mode-in-raspberry-pi-os-ssh-over-usb
- Raspberry Pi Connect: connect.raspberrypi.com
- Python Download: python.org
- My GitHub page: github.com/carolinedunn
Timestamps
0:00 – Demo: What is Raspberry Pi USB Gadget Mode?
1:00 – Important Prerequisites and Windows-Specific Caveats
2:33 – Required Hardware: Cables, SD Cards, and Card Readers
3:32 – Power Test: Verifying Your Connection
4:18 – Generating the Capabilities-Enhanced Manifest
5:56 – Configuring Raspberry Pi Imager with USB Gadget Mode
8:26 – Flashing the MicroSD Card
9:07 – Connecting the Pi to Your Laptop
9:35 – Accessing the Pi via Raspberry Pi Connect (Remote Desktop)
11:00 – Install the USB Gadget Driver
11:35 – Setting Up Windows Internet Connection Sharing (Wi-Fi Sharing)
13:32 – Verifying the Connection and Running a Test Project
📘 A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech
If you’ve ever been underestimated, talked over, or given “feedback” that wasn’t actually helpful, this book is for you. A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech blends sharp humor with practical career strategies to help women navigate tech on their own terms—without changing who they are.
Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark
Learn more: winningintech.com
Follow the book:
Facebook: facebook.com/winningintech
Instagram: instagram.com/winning.tech
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to transform your Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 into a portable USB gadget and use the WiFi from your laptop for your Pi 4. By connecting your Raspberry Pi directly to a Windows laptop with a single USB-C cable, you can access it without needing a separate monitor, keyboard, or mouse. I also cover how to share your laptop’s Wi-Fi connection with the Pi simultaneously, making it an ideal setup for traveling or working in new locations.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to enable USB Gadget Mode using the Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0.
- Generating a capabilities-enhanced manifest for advanced customization.
- Enabling Wi-Fi sharing from a Windows laptop to the Raspberry Pi.
- Accessing your Pi remotely via Raspberry Pi Connect.
What You Need:
- Raspberry Pi 4 - amzn.to/4tkKn82
or Raspberry Pi 5 - amzn.to/4toXcP2
- USB-C to USB-C Cable (Ensure your laptop port provides enough power) - amzn.to/49XlPuo
- MicroSD Card - amzn.to/49XlPuo
- USB Card Reader (if necessary) - amzn.to/46A4gOL
- Internet Connection
The links provided are affiliate links in which I may make a small commission but doesn't affect the price that you pay. This helps to keep my channel going to produce content for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- Intro to Raspberry Pi Connect: youtu.be/rvCaN1PSKY0
- USB Gadget Blog Post: raspberrypi.com/news/usb-gadget-mode-in-raspberry-pi-os-ssh-over-usb
- Raspberry Pi Connect: connect.raspberrypi.com
- Python Download: python.org
- My GitHub page: github.com/carolinedunn
Timestamps
0:00 – Demo: What is Raspberry Pi USB Gadget Mode?
1:00 – Important Prerequisites and Windows-Specific Caveats
2:33 – Required Hardware: Cables, SD Cards, and Card Readers
3:32 – Power Test: Verifying Your Connection
4:18 – Generating the Capabilities-Enhanced Manifest
5:56 – Configuring Raspberry Pi Imager with USB Gadget Mode
8:26 – Flashing the MicroSD Card
9:07 – Connecting the Pi to Your Laptop
9:35 – Accessing the Pi via Raspberry Pi Connect (Remote Desktop)
11:00 – Install the USB Gadget Driver
11:35 – Setting Up Windows Internet Connection Sharing (Wi-Fi Sharing)
13:32 – Verifying the Connection and Running a Test Project
📘 A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech
If you’ve ever been underestimated, talked over, or given “feedback” that wasn’t actually helpful, this book is for you. A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech blends sharp humor with practical career strategies to help women navigate tech on their own terms—without changing who they are.
Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org Barnes & Noble, and IngramSpark
Learn more: winningintech.com
Follow the book:
Facebook: facebook.com/winningintech
Instagram: instagram.com/winning.tech
