USB for Remote Desktop is an application that solves USB-related issues for users who frequently work with Remote Desktop at the office. More specifically, it redirects USB devices plugged into your local machine (the one you're using to access the remote PC) in order to use content from the devices on the remote host. It's a lightweight program that silently runs in the systray and keeps an eye on all USB ports on your local host. USB devices are redirected via Microsoft RDB, Teradici PCoIP or Citrix ICA.

The setup package is customizable since you can install the workstation component, server module, or both. The workstation model means that it will be installed on the local machine where USB peripherals are physically plugged so that devices can be redirected to the remote computer.

The server, on the other hand, is installed on the remote machine where the USB devices will be redirected to, enabling you to connect to it and access redirected USB devices from your local host. No configuration is necessary since the USB ports are routed to the remote host automatically by USB for Remote Desktop.

To activate a USB device on the remote computer, you just have to open the menu of the systray icon and click on the device you're interested in plugging in. Evidently, while the USB device is connected to the remote PC, it cannot be used on the local one. Make sure to disconnect the device before exiting USB for Remote Desktop because this isn't done automatically.

In the "Administrative Utility" panel, you can view a list of USB devices available for the current session, disconnect any one of them, as well as manage local or domain policies. As far as general settings are concerned, you can instruct the app to hide the tray icon if no connection or no devices are available, disable tray notifications when new devices are connected, use only local storage for the policy, and set the logging level.

The server and workstation modules worked smoothly on Windows 10 in our tests, and the application had minimal impact on the computer's performance. All aspects considered, USB for Remote Desktop turns out to be a reliable sidekick for Remote Desktop, which resolves a common problem: accessing USB devices from the local machine on the remote host. No special configuration is required.