Configuring Remote Desktop Features

Beginning with Horizon 7 version 7.0.2, you can redirect signature pads, dictation foot pedals, and some
Wacom tablets to a published desktop or application. These devices are disabled by default in Horizon 7
version 7.0.2. To enable these devices, delete the Windows registry key seings ExcludeAllDevices and
IncludeFamily from the following path: HKLM\Software\Policies\VMware, Inc\VMware VDM\Agent\USB. These
devices are enabled by default in Horizon 7 version 7.0.3 and later.
You cannot redirect other types of USB devices, and other types of USB storage devices such as security
storage drives and USB CD-ROM, to a published desktop or application.
Overview of Setting Up USB Redirection
To set up your deployment so that end users can connect removable devices, such as USB ash drives,
cameras, and headsets, you must install certain components on both the remote desktop or RDS host and the
client device, and you must verify that the global seing for USB devices is enabled in View Administrator.
This checklist includes both required and optional tasks for seing up USB redirection in your enterprise.
The USB redirection feature is available only on some types of clients, such as Windows, Mac, and partner-
supplied Linux clients. To nd out whether this feature is supported on a particular type of client, see the
feature support matrix included in the "Using VMware Horizon Client" document for the specic type of
client device. Go to hps://www.vmware.com/support/viewclients/doc/viewclients_pubs.html.
I When you deploy the USB redirection feature, you can take steps to protect your organization
from the security vulnerabilities that can aect USB devices. For example, you can use group policy seings
to disable USB redirection for some remote desktops and users, or to restrict which types of USB devices can
be redirected. See “Deploying USB Devices in a Secure Horizon 7 Environment,” on page 73.
1 When you run the Horizon Agent installation wizard on the remote desktop source or RDS host, be
sure to include the USB Redirection component.
This component is deselected by default. You must select the component to install it.
2 When you run the VMware Horizon Client installation wizard on the client system, be sure to include
the USB Redirection component.
This component is included by default.
3 Verify that access to USB devices from a remote desktop or application is enabled in View
Administrator.
In View Administrator, go to Policies > Global Policies and verify that USB access is set to Allow.
4 (Optional) Congure Horizon Agent group policies to specify which types of devices are allowed to be
redirected.
See “Using Policies to Control USB Redirection,” on page 76.
5 (Optional) Congure similar seings on the client device.
You can also congure whether devices are automatically connected when Horizon Client connects to
the remote desktop or application, or when the end user plugs in a USB device. The method of
conguring USB seings on the client device depends on the type of device. For example, for Windows
client endpoints, you can congure group policies, whereas for Mac endpoints, you use a command-
line command. For instructions, see the "Using VMware Horizon Client" document for the specic type
of client device.
6 Have end users connect to a remote desktop or application and plug their USB devices into the local
client system.
If the driver for the USB device is not already installed in the remote desktop or RDS host, the guest
operating system detects the USB device and searches for a suitable driver, just as it would on a
physical Windows computer.
Chapter 4 Using USB Devices with Remote Desktops and Applications
VMware, Inc. 71