RemoteFX USB redirection doesn't support Xbox One Wireless Controller with its USB Wireless Adapter

K2S 1 Reputation point
2020-11-12T16:02:13.1+00:00

I can redirect other USB devices like USB soundcards to remote host and they work well. So my hardware/software configuration should be OK.

When I plug in the wireless adapter of my Xbox One Wireless Controller to my local client PC, I can see there are 2 devices in Device Manager: the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows as a network adapter, and the Xbox One Wireless Controller as a HID device. However, in Remote Desktop client (mstsc), I cannot see any of them in the list of Other supported RemoteFX USB devices.

I tried to follow below article to force redirect the wireless adapter with its CLSID. Still can't work.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/remote/usb-devices-unavailable-remotefx-usb-redirection

Host: Windows Server 2019
Client: Windows 10 20H2

Please advise what could be wrong and how to redirect it.

Regards,
K2S

Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop
A Microsoft app that connects remotely to computers and to virtual apps and desktops.
4,244 questions
0 comments

4 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,676 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2020-11-13T02:53:10.877+00:00

    Hi,

    Please check below settings.

    1. On mstsc, check all the redirection options under local devices and resources.
      39545-image.png
    2. On client, enable below group policy.
      Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Connection Client - Allow RDP redirection of
      other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer
    3. On host, disable or not configure below policy
      Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Device and Resource Redirection
      • Do not allow supported Plug and Play device redirection

    Thanks,
    Eleven

    ----------

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it. Thanks.

  2. Eleven Yu (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 10,676 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2020-11-13T06:31:52.59+00:00

    Hi,

    If so, it should because the Xbox One Wireless Controller with its USB Wireless Adapter is not supported for redirection. Not all USB devices are supported to redirect on RDP.

    In below article, it mentioned that USB Network adapter is blocked for redirection.
    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-security-and/introducing-microsoft-remotefx-usb-redirection-part-3/ba-p/247085
    39661-image.png
    More information:
    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-security-and/introducing-microsoft-remotefx-usb-redirection-part-1/ba-p/247035
    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-security-and/introducing-microsoft-remotefx-usb-redirection-part-2/ba-p/247060

    Thanks,
    Eleven

    ----------

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it. Thanks.

    0 comments
  3. K2S 1 Reputation point
    2020-11-13T06:40:07.857+00:00

    Hi,

    As I mentioned in the initial question, there is an article provided by Microsoft, updated on 11/12/2020, to workaround this issue on devices including Network Adapters.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/remote/usb-devices-unavailable-remotefx-usb-redirection

    Why doesn't this workaround work for Xbox One Wireless Adapter?

    Regards,
    E2S

  4. K2S 1 Reputation point
    2020-11-15T07:52:16.19+00:00

    Finally I am able to redirect Xbox One Wireless Adapter to remote host via RDP.

    The key step is to prevent installation of devices using drivers for the wireless adapter on the client Windows, before you redirect it to remote host.

    To do so, change the setting in group policy editor (gpedit.msc) to block the driver installation for {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}:

    39883-image.png

    Then if you uninstall the device from Device Manager and rescan, you will see a new device XBOX ACC but with no driver auto installed.

    Then follow the troubleshooting article to force redirect of this device: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/remote/usb-devices-unavailable-remotefx-usb-redirection

    Then in Remote Desktop client (mstsc) you will be able to see the device and redirect it.

    39864-image.png

    Your remote host should be able to install driver for the redirected XBOX ACC. When driver installation is completed there will be a device Xbox One Wireless Adapter in Device Manager.

    However, bad news is, you will see a BSOD on remote host when you try to pair the controller with the adapter. There is a similar issue discussed in https://www.gavpugh.com/2018/10/03/using-game-controllers-over-a-remote-desktop-session/ , which was about redirecting Xbox controller with USB cable. The root cause likely is the same.

    Apparently Microsoft might have been working on this, but till today it is still an issue after I updated my devices with latest firmware and driver. I hope they can eventually publish a fix but no one knows when.

    39865-image.png

    Hope above helps people who are having same problem in their remote gaming journey with Microsoft stuff.