USB device not showing up in RemoteFX Devices List

Question

Hello,

I am having trouble using Remote FX via the Remote Desktop Connection on my local network. It doesn't list my usb drive key. It is necessary for me to have this key "low-level redirected" as it is not a simple drive it also works as a license key for a software I'm using on the host computer.
I want to be able to connect this USB key to my local (client, Windows 10) computer and see that device on my host computer (server, Windows 11). I am able to connect on the host computer no problem. However when I'm listing the "other RemoteFX USB devices" in the Remote Desktop interface on the client, I don't see the USB drive I want even though. I just see the integrated camera and eventually my Synaptics touchpad.
What I've tried so far :

• Followed the steps of this guide thoroughly (allowed remotefx on both client, server, restarted the computers etc)
• Noticed the RemoteFX devices list appears, but the usb 3.0 key I want isn't listed
• Tried other drives, including 2.0 drives (but anyway 3.0 is supported now), same result
• Noticed the drive of course appears among other drives on the client computer, even though I read somewhere that once the drive is redirected via RemoteFX it disappears from the client computer ? Wondering if I can "transform" this key into a redirected devic
• Unsuccessfully tried this fix even though I wasn't sure what the line "Delete all instances of USB storage devices" meant. I tried to add the GUID Class corresponding to the USB drive in the Device Manager (into Settings -> Details of the said USB key listed in the Device Manager)

I think I'm doing something wrong because redirecting usb device to the host should be a basic thing once remoteFx is enabled.

The other options I have are expensive solutions made for businesses (as of FlexiHub) and I'm sure I can manage with RemoteFX as it should support my USB device.

Thank you for your help

Vincent

***Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Internet and connectivity***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community forum.

The issue you're encountering with RemoteFX USB redirection not fully recognizing your USB key as a license key might be due to the way RemoteFX handles USB redirection or compatibility issues.

It is recommended that you first check that RemoteFX USB redirection is configured correctly on both the client and the host:

• Open the Group Policy Editor (' gpedit.msc ') on the client.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Client -> RemoteFX USB Device Redirection.
• Make sure "Allow supported RemoteFX USB device redirection in this computer" is enabled.

As far as I know, not all USB devices are fully compatible with RemoteFX USB redirection. Some devices, especially those that require low-level access, such as a license key, may not work properly. Make sure the USB key drivers on both the client and server are up to date. Also, check if the software that uses the license key has any specific requirements or Settings for remote access.

You can refer to this article to try the deployment:

Some USB devices aren't available - Windows Client | Microsoft Learn

I hope this helps.

Best regards

Jacen

Answer 2

UPDATE 30/10/2024 :

So I partially fixed the problem, doing the "fix" (last step of the list in my initial message) again, but this time I used the "Hard Drive" GUID Class which is {53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}. Used cmd as administrator and added the key with the provided command in the "fix" tutorial : reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client\UsbSelectDeviceByInterfaces" /v 100 /t REG_SZ /d {53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b} /f

By opening Remote Desktop interface again, the usb drives appear in the Remote FX devices list, hurray !
However, although I can use the key as a drive as it is supposed to be, the software I'm using doesn't seem to recognize the key as a license key. It does recognize it when I physically plug the key into the host. It seems that is not "bit by bit" redirected as I expected ? Does someone have more precise knowledge on that ?
Thanks

Vincent

(Also note that I used the command "gpupdate /force*"* in between the failed and the successful attempt, which I should have done after modifying the policies to make RemoteFX work on both machines. I don't think this changed anything, I already restarted the computers after modifying the policies earlier.)