With the USB redirection feature, you can use locally attached USB devices, such as thumb flash drives, in a remote desktop or published application.

When you use the USB redirection feature, most USB devices that are attached to the local client system become available from menus in Horizon Client. You use these menus to connect and disconnect the devices.

For information about USB device requirements and limitations for USB redirection, see the Configuring Remote Desktop Features in Horizon document.

If you use the client drive redirection feature to share a USB storage device or a folder on a USB storage device, you cannot use the USB redirection feature to redirect the device to a remote desktop or published application because the device is already shared.

You can connect USB devices to a remote desktop or published application manually or automatically. You can configure auto-connect settings for all devices, or for specific devices.

The following table describes the auto-connect settings that apply to all devices.
Setting Description
Auto-connect all devices at startup Connects all USB devices automatically when the remote desktop or published application starts.
Auto-connect all devices when inserted Connects all USB devices automatically when you insert the device in the local client system.
The following table describes the auto-connect settings that apply to specific devices.
Setting Description
Auto-connect device at startup or Auto Startup Connects the USB device automatically when the remote desktop or published application starts.
Auto-connect device when inserted or Auto Inserted Connects the USB device automatically when you insert the device in the local client system.

Prerequisites

  • To use USB devices with a remote desktop or published application, a Horizon administrator must enable the USB redirection feature.

    This task includes installing the USB Redirection component of Horizon Agent, and can include setting policies regarding USB redirection. For more information, see the Configuring Remote Desktop Features in Horizon document.

  • Before you can use the USB redirection feature in Horizon Client, you must start the remote USB services. The first time you start Horizon Client, it prompts you to start the remote USB services. You can also start the remote USB services from the VMware Horizon Client menu bar. Click Connection > USB > Start remote USB services and provide the Administrator password when prompted.
  • The first time you attempt to connect a USB device, you must provide the Administrator password. Horizon Client prompts you for the password.

    Some components required for USB redirection that Horizon Client installs must be configured, and configuration of these components requires Administrator privileges.

  • Become familiar with USB Redirection Limitations.

Procedure

  1. Connect the USB device to the client system.
  2. Start Horizon Client, connect to a server, and start one or more remote sessions.
  3. Click the Settings button (gear icon) in the upper-right corner of the desktop and application selector window and select USB in the left pane.
  4. To connect or disconnect a USB device to a running session, click the Device button and select the USB device.
    1. To connect a USB device, click Connect Device, select the remote desktop or published application, and click Continue.
      After a USB device is connected, you can configure auto-connect settings for the device.
    2. To disconnect a USB device, click Disconnect.
  5. To configure USB redirection for a running session, click the Session button and select the remote desktop or published application.
    You can select auto-connect settings that apply to all devices, or select auto-connect settings that apply only to specific devices. To select auto-connect settings for a specific device, you must clear the auto-connect settings that apply to all devices.
  6. Alternatively, to configure USB redirection from within a remote desktop, open the menu bar in the remote desktop and select Connection > USB.

Results

A USB device might take up to 20 seconds to appear in a remote desktop or published application. The first time you connect the device to a remote desktop, you might be prompted to install drivers.

If a USB device does not appear in the remote desktop or published application after several minutes, disconnect and reconnect the device to the client computer.

What to do next

If you have problems with USB redirection, see the topic about troubleshooting USB redirection problems in the Configuring Remote Desktop Features in Horizon document.