How to Enable or Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to Removable Storage Devices in Windows


Remote users cannot open direct handles to removable storage devices in remote sessions by default in Windows.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable allowing direct access to all removable storage devices in Remote Desktop (RDP) sessions on a Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 PC.


Contents

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices using a REG file






OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices in Local Group Policy Editor


In Windows 7, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

In Windows 8, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Pro and Enterprise editions.

In Windows 10, the Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Removable Storage Access

Enable Remote Access to Removable Storage Devices in Windows-all_removable_storage_allow_direct_access_in_remote_sessions-1.png

3 In the right pane of Removable Storage Access in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the All Removable Storage: Allow direct access in remote sessions policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


5 To Enable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)


6 To Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices

A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Not Configured is the default setting.

Enable Remote Access to Removable Storage Devices in Windows-all_removable_storage_allow_direct_access_in_remote_sessions-2.png


7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

8 Restart the computer to apply.






OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Remote Desktop (RDP)Access to All Removable Storage Devices using a REG file


The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices

AllowRemoteDASD DWORD

(delete) = Disable
1 = Enable


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


2 To Enable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Enable_access_to_all_removable_storage_devices_in_remote_sessions.reg

Download


3 To Disable Remote Desktop (RDP) Access to All Removable Storage Devices

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Disable_access_to_all_removable_storage_devices_in_remote_sessions.reg

Download


4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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