Configuring Remote Desktop Group Policies for PS and Xbox controllers
A method of connecting a controller to a Remote Desktop connection without third-party tools involves configuring the Remote Desktop Group Policies.
We will walk you through the steps required to get your physically attached via a USB interface PS or Xbox controller working on Remote Desktop.
In our instructions, the local computer refers to the machine that is physically attached to the game controller. The remote computer is the one that will receive and use USB controller input through a Remote Desktop connection.
The first step is to edit the Group Policies on the local computer using the following instructions.
• Search for gpedit and open "Edit group policy".
• Open directory:
Local Computer Policy → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Connection Client → RemoteFX USB Device Redirection → Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer
• Right-click on the entry and select Edit. Choose the Enabled radio button and change the Access Rights menu to Administrators and Users.
• Click OK to apply the new settings.
• Open a command prompt and right-click to choose Run as Administrator.
• Run this command: gpupdate /force.
• You will receive a message that the policy has been updated successfully.
• Reboot the local machine.
Next, we need to update the remote computer. This can be accomplished over an RDP connection.
• Run the Edit group policy app as before.
• Open directory:
Local Computer Policy → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Remote Session Environment → RemoteFX for Windows Server 2008 R2 → Configure RemoteFX
• Right-click choose Edit and select Enabled and then OK.
• Return to the level Remote Desktop Session Host and navigate to:
Connections → Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services
• Right-click choose Edit and select Enabled and then OK.
• Once more, return to the level Remote Desktop Session Host and navigate to:
Device and Resource Redirection → Do not allow supported Plug and Play device redirection
• Right-click choose Edit, select Disabled, and then OK.
• Open a command prompt and right-click to choose Run as Administrator
• Run this command: gpupdate /force.
• After you see the policy has been updated successfully, reboot the remote machine.
Finally, we can forward the Xbox controller over RDP.
• Connect the controller to the local machine’s USB port.
• Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers. Make sure your gamepad is listed.
• Run Remote Desktop Connection.
• Click "Show Options" and open the "Local Resources" tab and then "More…" at the bottom of the window.
• You should see the "Other Supported RemoteFX USB Devices" section if all previous configuration was done correctly.
• Select the gamepad and connect to the remote machine.
• On the remote computer, open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
You should see the controller listed and can use it as if it was directly connected to the remote machine.
