Hyper-V VMConnect web camera in VM?

Question

I have a few VMs in Hyper-V. I want one of these VMs to be able to use my host web cam, which is a USB Logitech cam, for use in MS Teams.

Using gpedit on the host, I set:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Connection Client\RemoteFX USB Device Redirection\Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX devices from this computer = Enabled for Administrators and users

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Device and Resource Direction\Do not allow video capture redirection = Disabled

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Device and Resource Direction\Do not allow supported Plug and Play device redirection = Disabled

Performed "gpupdate /force" and rebooted host

In theory, this should allow me to run "vmconnect.exe localhost <vmname> /edit", and then click "Show Options", click the "Local Resources" tab, Click the "More" button, and then see my camera under "Other supported RemoteFX USB Devices".

In reality, I have seen this option exactly twice ever. I have zero idea what magic I performed to make it show. On those two occasions, I was able to allow the camera in the VM connect session, and the setting remained for a fairly long time. BUT, that setting is sometimes "lost". But right now, I cannot find any way to apply that setting for the VM again. I have tried setting ant unsetting the gpedit settings, rebooting host and guest VM countless times, nothing makes the option available.

So, is there some reliable repeatable action that I can perform to make this option appear so that I can use my host USB web camera in the Hyper-VM guest through the VMConnect?

Note that this option is actually available on the mstsc.exe UI, but I am not able to use MSTSC.exe to connect to this VM, and am restricted to using VMConnect.exe.

Note also that this "issue" appears to be fuly the fault of the host, not the guests. On the two occasions where "Other supported RemoteFX USB devices" appeated for the VM, it appeared for all VMs, which are all quiet different configurations. When it disappeared, it disappeared for all guests.

Thank you for any help.
David

Answer 1

OK, for anyone who finds this in the future, I have resolved this issue.
At some point in the past, I had removed the Logitech Capture software from the VM where I wanted to use the Logitech camera. This was a mistake on my part.

Given a setup as outlined in my initial question, all I needed extra was to re-install the Logitech Capture software on the VM.

I think what I have discovered is actually a bug in VMConnect.exe. When Logitech Capture was removed from the VM, while the Logitech USB web cam was attached to that VM with RemoteFX USB redirection, it broke RemoteFX USB redirection for all VMs. The entire RemoteFX USB redirection feature stopped working for all available USB devices and for all VMs.

All I did today was notice that Logitech Capture was not on the VM (and therefore the driver was not on the VM), reinstall it, and the RemoteFX USB redirection feature returned for all 4 of my VMs, and for all 3 of the available USB devices.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

This is the desired outcome when runing vmconnect.exe with the /edit parameter, and selecting the local resources to make available to the VM. I have seen this twice, but when I did, it disappeared very quickly afterwards.

Answer 3

Hi,

On the Hyper V settings, please check if we enabled "Enhanced session mode":

And on the VM, please check if we checked "guest services":

Thanks for your time!
Best Regards,
Anne

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Answer 4

Hello Anne

Yes, "Allow enhanced session mode is ticked in the policy setting as you pictured

Also, every VM that I have has Guest Services Installed.

And finally, I do have "Enhanced Session Mode" ticked under the "User setting in my Hyper-V Settings. This is supposed to default all connections to use Enhanced Session Mode instead of Basic mode. In reality, it does not actually do that. Often when I use VMConnect.exe to connect to my VM, it defaults to Basic Mode. I just flick it over to Enhanced Session mode. Either way, the "Other supported RemoteFX USB devices" still does not show.

Thank you
David

Answer 5

I do note this little blurb in the red box in the image. The VM is running Windows 10, Enterprise Edition, 19042.867.

Is there any documentation on the "may require additional configuration inside the virtual machine"?

I also note that when I use vmconnect.exe to connect to the VM, it dows show a little printer icon in the title bar, and hovering over it says "Select devices to use.". But If I click on that icon, nothing happens.