How To Redirect a USB Dongle over RDP

Remote desktop sessions using the RDP often face a specific type of connectivity problem. If you try to run a license-protected app on a remote server, you’ll find that you have troubles with recognizing your local USB devices over RDP (dongles in our case). In many cases, vendors disable the ability to access security keys over RDP, leading to reduced productivity and wasted time.

This article demonstrates a simple and convenient method of using USB dongles in remote desktop sessions with a dedicated and very efficient software solution.

Software for connecting to a USB dongle in RDP

USB Network Gate is a versatile software tool that has many uses when working with remote USB devices. Using this capability, USB Network Gate can connect a remote desktop session with a USB dongle.

This USB dongle redirector software enables users to connect to locally attached dongle keys over RDP. A connection made in this way makes the license dongle over RDP appear as it has a direct connection to the remote session.

USB Network Gate eliminates the problem of being unable to use the features of a protected app on your remote session due to issues with dongle connectivity. This simple method of redirecting a USB dongle over RDP ensures your session will be able to recognize and access the key’s information.

A nice feature of USB Network Gate is that it only displays USB devices that have been shared by the host machine. You can search for other available network-connected USB devices with the app.

There is also an “RDP auto-connect” option that automatically establishes remote desktop dongle connectivity so you can get right to work without opening USB Network Gate’s interface.