How To Configure RemoteFX USB Redirection: A Definitive Guide

Olga Weis Jul 26, 2021

RemoteFX USB redirection enhances default RDP device redirection features. RemoteFX USB device redirection creates a convenient and fully functional user experience for those operating numerous types of USB devices remotely.

One of the most appealing RemoteFX USB passthrough features is that installing device drivers on client computers isn’t at all necessary. Additionally, all devices work via a universal interface, thus supporting an array of devices that include: all-in-one printers, scanners, webcams, human interface devices, and many more.

This article will discuss how to enable RemoteFX USB redirection and demonstrate just how easy it is to implement a high-quality USB device passthrough to your workflow.

How to enable RemoteFX USB redirection In Windows 10

Follow the below steps to enable the RemoteFX USB redirection feature (which is disabled by default).

1

Run gpedit.msc to configure RemoteFX USB redirection locally on a client machine

Note: Open Group Policy Management Console via Active Directory Group Policies if the centralized configuration is needed.
After creating and configuring a new policy (see screenshot below), link the policy to the Organizational Unit of the target machine’s location.

2

Open: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Connection Client\RemoteFX USB Redirection.

3

Set the following option to “Enabled”: “Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer”.

4

Specify which users have RemoteFX USB device redirection permission.

5

Click OK and close the policy editor window.

6

Run “gpupdate /force” to update the machine’s policy.

Compatible OS versions:

Windows 7 utilizing Service Pack 1 (SP1) or newer.
Windows Server 2008 R2 using Service Pack 1 (SP1) or newer.

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Configuring RemoteFX USB redirection on Windows Server

Using an RDP file, log into a Windows Instance.
Open the Server Manager.
Click “Add roles and features” from within the Server Manager window.
In the “Add roles and features” pop-up window, click the Next button to visit a new page called: “Select installation type”.
Select “Role-based or feature-based installation” from the “Select installation type” page.
Select Next.
On the “Select destination server” page, click Next without modifying or editing the default configurations.
Choose Remote Desktop Services on the “Select server roles” page.
Click Next.
Leave the default configurations as they are and click Next twice.
Note: While still on “Select role services”, check the following boxes:

• Remote Desktop Session Host
• Remote Desktop Connection Broker
• Remote Desktop Licensing
Click Add Features in the pop-up window.
Hit Next -> Install.
Restart the computer once the installation is finished.
Search for “gpedit.msc” and open the "Local Group Policy Editor".
From the navigation tree on the left, select: “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Device and Resource Redirection”.
Double-click “Do not allow supported Plug and Play device redirection”.
Choose the Disabled option and click “OK” in the pop-up window as shown below.
Finally, apply the settings and restart the machine.