Remote Desktop Game Controller Redirection Techniques

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Olga Weis Last updated Aug 14, 2024

Remote Desktop Game Controller Redirection Techniques

Numerous gamers face the challenge of inadequate processing power in their home computers to meet the demands of modern games. To address this, they turn to remote gaming, utilizing a more powerful machine for their gameplay needs.

However, while remote gaming solves the initial problem, it introduces a new concern. The available options on the remote desktop controller might not be ideal. Being limited to using a rudder, pedals, or joystick to play a favorite racing game, for instance, puts remote gamers at a significant disadvantage compared to others.

Unlock the full potential of your remote gaming experience! This article will help you to learn how to use Xbox and PS controllers over a remote desktop connection to supercharge your gameplay.

Connect a Game Controller over RDP with FlexiHub

For those looking to use their Xbox One controller, or other game devices, remotely in an RDP session, a dedicated software tool is necessary to have remote control for PC games. A versatile solution for connecting controllers using the RDP protocol is FlexiHub.

This software is installed on both the computer directly connected to the game controller, referred to as the RDP client, and the RDP server, the system controlling the Xbox One remotely. FlexiHub offers additional benefits such as USB device isolation and data transfer protection.

Step-by-step instruction for RDP Xbox controller passthrough

1.

Create your FlexiHub account on the software's official website and verify it via email.
2.

Download and install the FlexiHub desktop application on all computers participating in the RDP connection, including the one to which the game controller is physically connected.
3.

Start the application and log into your FlexiHub account. After that, the gamepad is immediately made available for USB over RDP connection.
4.

Launch FlexiHub in the remote desktop session and log into the account with the credentials used previously.
5.

From the interface, you'll see a list of all remotely-accessible devices. Simply locate the game controller from the list, and click the Connect button beside the device's name.

That's it! Now the game controller will appear in the Device Manager on the remote desktop like it was plugged into that PC.

RdpGamepad: A Remote Desktop Plugin for Xbox Gamepads

RdpGamepad is a remote desktop plugin that lets you use Xbox gamepads remotely in a session. Once you have installed this plugin, it will automatically be loaded when you initiate an RDP session.

The plugin can read the local gamepad with XInput and enable data availability in a remote desktop virtual channel through a virtual Xbox 360 controller. It happens with the help of a ViGEmBus kernel mode driver while ViGEmClient SDK is used for communication with that driver.

How to Set Up RdpGamepad

On the client computer, download the latest version of the RdpGamepad client installer. Launch it and just start the installation, there are no options to set.
Once the process is finished, it’s time to install some software on the computer that will host the session. You will need ViGEmBus and the RdpGamepad receiver.
With everything installed, RdpGamepad will start automatically whenever you begin a Remote Desktop session, both on the client and the host. It doesn’t need to be launched manually on either machine.

Troubleshooting Xbox Controller issues in Remote Desktop Connections

Sometimes the Xbox controller wouldn't work even after making a remote desktop connection, it could be due to the fact that the receiver from the remote desktop has added a fresh virtual remote access controller for the remote device.

In this case, the game engine or the game running on the computer might be using the controller “the first ”. This controller will serve as a default for other controllers attached physically to the remote machine.

To troubleshoot this issue, you can look for any newly attached virtual controller on your remote computer. Now, try unplugging this controller. You can do this either by:

Disconnecting the virtual controller physically from the remote machine, or
Disabling the virtual controller directly by using the Device Manager from the remote machine

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Configuring Remote Desktop for PS Controller Use

If you’re planning to game over RDP with a DualShock controller, it’s possible, and you’ll only need to edit some policies. No third-party tools needed.

For clarity, we’ll refer to the computer that your controller is attached to as the local computer.

Step 1: Edit Remote Desktop Group Policies

Edit Group Policies on the local computer. Type “gpedit” into the search bar and press Enter to launch the editor.

Navigate to the following policy:

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 it and select “Edit”. This should open a settings window, where you should change the policy’s status to “Enabled” and its access rights to “Administrators and Users”. Confirm the changes.

Type “cmd” into the search bar. In the search results, right-click “Command Prompt” and run it as Administrator. A command line will open, type in “gpupdate /force” and press Enter. Wait for the update to complete, and reboot.

Step 2: Update the Remote Machine

The remote machine needs to have certain policies enabled as well. Open gpedit like you did previously.

This time, go to:

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates >
Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services >
Remote Desktop Session Host

There are three policies that you will need to access from this directory:

Enable Remote Session Environment > RemoteFX for Windows Server 2008 R2 > Configure RemoteFX
Enable Connections -> Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services
And disable Device and Resource Redirection > Do not allow supported Plug and Play device redirection

Once again, open Command Prompt as an Administrator and run “gpupdate /force”. You can also quickly reboot from the command line by using “shutdown /r /t 0”.

Step 3: Connect the Controller to Your Local Computer

It’s time to connect the controller. You will have to connect it over USB, rather than Bluetooth. Optionally, you can open the Control Panel (like any other system app, this is easily done with search) and check if it’s been connected properly. To do this, right-click the controller, go to “Game Controller Properties” and then “Properties” again. You’ll be able to see if the input registers properly.

Set Control Panel Properties to connect the controller

Finally, you need to enable this specific controller on the RD resource list. Type “mstsc” in search and press Enter to open the Remote Desktop Connection app. Switch to the Local Resources tab and choose “More…”

If everything was done properly, the gamepad should appear under “Other supported RemoteFX USB Devices”. Enable it, and you’ll be able to use it in future Remote Desktop sessions, given that the session host has been set up according to Step 2.

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