Thinstuff TSX SCAN User Manual
Introduction
General description
With TSX Scan any TWAIN or WIA enabled application on the server can directly scan from any client attached scanner over the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
TSX Scan can be used in 2 ways :
-
As add-on to XP/VS Server
-
As add-on to Microsoft Terminal Services / Remote Desktop Services or virtual desktops
Server requirements
On the server you don't have to install any TWAIN drivers
If you are using Windows Server operating systems (2008 and newer) you have to install the "Desktop Experience" feature to install the TWAIN_32 subsystem which is needed by TSX Scan Server. As example:
FAQ: How do I install the Desktop Experience feature on Windows Server operating system?
Supported operating systems
Following 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64) server operating systems are supported:
-
Windows (XP, Vista, 7) 8, 8.1, 10, 11
-
Windows Server (2003, 2008. 2008 R2) up to Windows Server 2025
Client requirements
On the client you have to install the TWAIN drivers for your scanner.
Before you install TSX Scan we would recommend that you first test with any TWAIN capable application on your client computer if you can successfully scan with the installed TWAIN driver of your scanner.
Supported operating systems
Following 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64) client operating systems are supported:
-
Windows (XP, Vista, 7) 8, 8.1, 10, 11
-
Windows Server (2003, 2008. 2008 R2) up to Windows Server 2025
Software installation and maintenance
Installation
-
Please download the TSX Scan Server installation package from and execute the installation file.
-
Welcome Dialogue. Select Next.
- Press “Next”.
- This screen shows the “End-user License Agreement”. Select “I agree” to continue.
-
In this step you have to choose which component you want to install :
Select "Client" to install the client part of Tsx Scan on the client computer:
Select "Server" if you want to install the Tsx Scan server part.
-
Select your destination folder and select "Install".
-
In this step you can see the installation progress:
-
In the last step choose the button „Finish“.To complete the installation process you have to reboot your computer. Click 'Yes' if you want to restart now or 'No' if you plan to manually restart later.
Update
If you want to update your XP/VS Server installation you can download the latest version here: https://thinstuff.com/software/download/tsx-scan/latest/windows/multi
The installer will automatically uninstall the old version and install the new version.
However, your TSX Scan licenses and settings will be preserved so you do not have to worry about losing them during the update process!
You will find more information about installation in chapter Installation.
Deinstallation
If you want to uninstall TSX Scan, please do the following:
-
Click on the Start-Button, open the “Control Panel” and click “Programs” and "Uninstall a program"
-
Select the part of TSX Scan which you want do remove and click “Uninstall”.
-
To complete the uninstalling process click "Yes" in the following dialogue box.
Licensing
General
TSX Scan can be used in 2 ways:
-
As add-on to XP/VS Server
-
As add-on to Microsoft Terminal Services / Remote Desktop Services or virtual desktops
In both ways you have to license it separately (also if you are using any version of XP/VS Server)
TSX Scan demo licenses
TSX Scan licenses are usually valid for 14 days after installation and may only be used for demo and testing purposes.
The TSX Scan installer comes with a built-in 14-day demo license.
If you register for a Thinstuff account at: https://thinstuff.com/user/signup
TSX Scan demo licenses offer exactly the same features as full licenses except that you will receive the following demo message after each logon.
TSX Scan full licenses
Full (bought) TSX Scan licenses have to be activated within 14 days after installation. For details about activation please see
After activation full TSX Scan licenses cannot be moved to another computer unless they are released for reactivation by Thinstuff.
To request Thinstuff to release your TSX Scan license for reactivation please send an email to tsxscansupport@thinstuff.com with the license ID and the reason for reactivation.
Full TSX Scan licenses are owned by a certain Thinstuff web shop account and can not be moved to another account.
Registration
To register, please proceed with the following:
-
Open your web browser and got to: https://thinstuff.com/user/signup
-
Now click on “Create new account” and enter all information required.
-
Now you have successfully created your “Thinstuff Account”, and within a short time you will receive an email to confirm your new created Thinstuff account.
-
Now you can sign in your “Thinstuff Account” with your user-name and password.
Activation
General
Online Activation
- Start activation
Open the "TSX Scan License Manager" program on your server machine and click on the “License Activation" tab and next
"Start internet activation” button.
-
Log into your “Thinstuff Account”. Further information concerning registration you will find in chapter "Registration" Your web browser will be opened and you have to login with your registered email address and your password.
-
If you have bought a license directly in our web shop
You have to select the license and it will be shown right below "Enter a License Code". If you have received a license code - enter this one also in this field. After that click on “*Activate"
Note ! For explanation:
During the activation process, some information of the hardware is transferred to the web server, which generates the license file. Once this process is completed, the download of new license starts automatically.
Now it is important that your web browser allows this download! Either the download is prevented, sometimes pop-up are even suppressed, which points out that file is ready for download. Then - of course - you have the impression as if the activation process had not been executed.
In any case, you have the option to download the license manually (in your Thinstuff account click top right -> "My Licenses"). In the list you will find your favourite license file. Save the license file locally, open with double-click - the license will be imported automatically into the Tsx Scan License Manager.
-
Download activated license
-
Import the license
In your Download folder double click the recently downloaded license and the same will be imported automatically into the Tsx License Manager.
-
Activation completed
Offline Activation
You also have the possibility of an offline-activation by copying the activation information from your computer without internet access to one with internet access.
- On your computer without internet access, where you have installed TSX Scan Server
Open the TSX Scan License Manager on the your server machine and click on the “License Activation tab” and then on the “Copy hardware Key to clipboard” button.
-
Paste the text into a text editor (e.g. Notepad), save it locally (e.g. xxx-hwkey.txt) and copy this text file to your computer with internet access.
-
On your computer with internet access:
fig. 1 Log into your “Thinstuff Account”.
Your web browser will be opened and you have to login with your user name and your password.
- If you have bought a license directly in our webshop
fig. 1 Switch into your account to “License” and click on “Activate” next to your favoured license.
fig. 2 Please select your text file, which you have created previously based on the activation-information or you paste the hardware directly
fig. 3 Download the license and copy to the server where Tsx Scan server-part is installed
On this server double click the license and it will be imported directly to the Tsx License Manager
Licensing on virtual machines
On virtual machines the TSX Scan license is always bound to the MAC address of the primary Windows network interface.
In following cases this can lead to problems with XP/VS licensing:
A) If you on e.g. VMWARE try to move or copy a virtual machine and select "create new identifier" a new MAC address is created.
B) Also changing the order of the network interfaces in Windows (if. e.g. another network interface is added - e.g. a VPN connection ...) causes the MAC address of the primary Windows network interface to change.
C) Some visualization solutions (e.g. HyperV, Xen, etc.) will create a new MAC-address for every new Guest OS.
In all of this cases the TSX Scan license becomes invalid (invalid hardware key)
To avoid this, please make sure that the MAC address of the primary Windows network interface does not change on virtual machines.
In case B) you can fix your problem by recreating the initial order of the Windows network interfaces.
In case C) can be avoided by assigning a static MAC-address.
If you use a visualization platform (e.g. VMWare, HyperV, Xen, etc.), please assign a static MAC-Address to your Virtual Guest Computers before you install TSX Scan Server.
Reactivation
TSX Scan licenses are tied by activation to the hardware of the respective computer. If the hardware has changed significantly on your system (replacement of motherboard, etc or of the entire computer ...), in the TSX Scan License Manager will be displayed the error message "*Invalid hardware key*".
For virtual machines this occurs, when the MAC-address of the primary Windows network interfaces has changed.
In such a case please contact your trader or send us an email:
IMPORTANT! Please enter in the email with your customer number, license number, and the reason for the reactivation.
After approval of reactivation by Thinstuff your license can be reactivated (see Activation).
Upgrade of licenses
You can upgrade your TSX Scan license at any time after purchase directly in our web-shop at https://www.thinstuff.com/licensing/.
Just press the “Upgrade” button and then follow the instructions.
The upgrade price is always the price difference + EUR 10,-- / US$ 15 upgrade fee.
Purchaseable Upgrade will be listed - select your favourite one with "Add to cart" and continue with payment.
As soon as the payment succeeded you will receive the invoice with your upgrade license code. This one will also be shown in your Thinstuff account "Upgrades" - click "Apply to license"
next select the license you want to upgrade "Apply upgrade"
You have to confirm the upgrade
And the upgraded license is ready to download under "Licenses"
Double click the downloaded license file and it will be imported automatically into the Tsx License Manager.
Usage of TSX Scan on server-side
The server part of TSX Scan contains following programs :
-
TSX Scan License manager
-
TSX Scan Server Component
-
TSX Scan Test
TSX Scan License Manager
With the TSX Scan Licensing Manager you are able to manage your TSX Scan licenses on your server machine (this overview can only be started as Administrator)
The TSX Scan licensing window is divided into the following parts:
-
Menu bar
-
Tabs
-
TSX Scan Licenses
-
Named Clients
-
License Activation
-
Status Bar
5.1.1 Menu Bar
The menu bar allows to access many functions and commands of the TSX Scan Licensing Manager.
The following table provides an overview of the structure of the menu bar:
| File | |
| Import license from file | |
| Install the product evaluation license | |
| Exit | |
| View | |
| Refresh | |
| Options | |
| Allow Non-Admins to launch this program | |
| Help | |
| About Thinstuff TSX Scan licensing | |
| Visit the Thinstuff TSX Scan Website |
Tabs
TSX Scan licenses
In this tab you are able to view e.g. general information about your licenses. In this example, several licences are listed, which are automatically added together.
Named Clients
This tab shows you which clients are connected to your TSX Scan Server.
Every TSX Scan client which is connected to your server will show up here and will reserve this place automatically for the client. This reservation is as long valid until you delete it manually (right click on the Client name and select "*Delete selected named client reservation*...")
License Activation
Non activated licenses or licenses which require a reactivation will be displayed here. Also the Activation Information/hardware key can be found here.
If you want to activate a license you just need to click on the „ Start internet activation...“ button or if you want to copy the hardware key to your clipboard press the second button.
For more details about the activation process please go to chapter Activation.
More information how licensing of TSX Scan works can be found at chapter Licensing.
TSX Scan Server Component
The TSX Scan Server Component (=Tsx Scan Administrator) gives you an overview/status information about TSX Scan in a RDP session and you will be able to change your server side configurations here. So this application is the correspond to the TSX Scan Client Configurator. The TSX Scan Server Component can only be started in an RDP session.
The TSX Scan Server Component window is divided into the following parts:
-
Menu bar
-
Tabs
-
Statistics
-
Logging
-
Configuration
-
-
Status Bar
Menu bar
The following table provides an overview of the structure of the menu bar:
| File | |
| Minimize | Minimize the application window |
| Maximize | Maximize the application window |
| Restore | |
| Quit | Exit |
| Connection | |
| ReConnect | ReConnect to client |
| Help | |
| About | About Dialogue |
Tabs
- Statistics
A statistic of your current TSX Scan connection can be found here.
- Logging
You have also the possibility to enable the server-side logging.
Depending on your log level you will get informed about errors in the logging field.
Please note if you have turned on “Logging” the size of the log file will increase quickly and it might be possible that some performance incursions occur. Usually it is only required for technical support under the guidance of your Thinstuff support engineer.
- Configuration
In this tab you can change the server-side settings of TSX Scan. Please notice if you have changed your configuration you have to save your changes by clicking on the „Save settings“ button!
-
Configuration override able by user
-
Use compression
If you enable this checkbox compression for file transfer and memory transfer will be activated. After enabling the checkbox you can change the compression settings for transfer.
- Suppress compression dialogue
If you have enabled compression a compress dialogue will appear after scanning. To hide these compression/decompress dialogues please enable this checkbox.
TSX Scan Test
With the TSX Scan Test Utility you are able to test your scanners on client-side or on remote side if they are working properly.
Menu Bar
The following table provides an overview of the structure of the menu bar:
| File | |
| Rescan Data Sources | Update your Scanner list |
| Quit | Exit Program |
| Options | |
| Use Twain 2.0 DSM | Test your scanner with Twain 2.0 DSM |
| Show User Interface | Show the user's scan dialogue |
| Help | |
| About | About Dialogue |
How can I start a scan test?
- To start a Scan test select your Scanner in the DataSource field and press on “Start Scan” .
-
The Scan Dialogue will be displayed now and you can start scanning. There is also the possibility to suppress the user's scan dialogue and start scanning with the standard settings directly by disabling the “Show user interface” field at 'Options' in the menu bar and then clicking on “Show User Interface”.
-
After scanning the scanned document now will get displayed on the right side of the application.
Usage of TSX Scan on client-side
The client part of TSX RemoteApp contains following two programs :
• TSX Scan Client Configurator
• TSX Scan Test
TSX Scan Client Configurator
With the TSX Scan Client Configurator you are able to change your client-side settings here. Please notice if you have changed your configuration you have to save your changes by clicking on the „Save settings“ button! Note! This can only be started with Administrator rights.
| TSX Scan Client Configurator Tabs | |
| Logging | Enable or disable client-side logging |
| Configuration | Change client-side configuration |
Logging
You have also the possibility to enable client-side logging.
Depending on your log level you will get informed about errors and status notifications.
Please note if you have turned on “Logging” the size of the log file will increase quickly and it might be possible that some performance incursions occur. Usually it is only required for technical support under the guidance of your Thinstuff support engineer.
Configuration
In this tab you can change the client-side settings of TSX Scan:
Tunnel connection method
- Virtual Channel - please do not change! If you want do redirect your scan data trough a virtual channel.
- TCP/IP
There is also the possibility to transfer all scan data over TCP/IP. For further information contact support@thinstuff.com
TSX Scan Test
The TSX Scan Test application is the same as the TSX Scan Test application on the server.
Additional instructions
How do I install the Desktop Experience feature on Windows Server
If you want to use TSX Scan on a server operating system you have to install the Desktop-Experience-Feature.
You will find the guides in the internet or you contact support@thinstuff.com
Support
General Support
Thinstuff Support is available to provide support and will answer your questions about our products, sales, our company and non-technical questions.
All general inquires should be addressed to: sales@thinstuff.com
Technical Support
For any technical questions about our products please contact our technical customer support.
Address your support requests to support@thinstuff.com> and please enter the following information:
-
TSX Scan license ID
-
Thinstuff Customer ID or your email-address
-
installed Thinstuff components
Online Resources
FAQ Page
On this page you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.
