
Support for USB access in Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V through Microsoft’s new Virtual Machine Enhanced Session Mode
In Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V, now there is support for USB device in Hyper-V guest VMs with a new feature called Virtual Machine Connection- Enhanced Session Mode. With this feature, Hyper-V can now redirect local resources to a virtual machine sessions through Virtual Machine Connection tool. It all happens not over network connection, that’s why it’s different than normal Remote Desktop. It uses a Remote Desktop Connection session via the virtual machine bus (VMBus), so no network connection to the virtual machine is required. Therefore, we attach a USB device to the Hyper-V Host and then access that USB device from the Hyper-V guest VMs as well as files and pictures from Hyper-V Host to VMs and vice-versa, very easily over this connection. Until now, only the guest operating systems Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview and Windows 8.1 Preview supported enhanced session mode connections. Future releases should support at least Windows Server 2008 R2 till the final release of Windows Server 2012 R2, let’s hope. This feature will help make administrators’ life a little easier while installing new software and /or easily copy files into the Hyper-V virtual machines through USB device and vice-versa.

- Display configuration
- Audio
- Printers
- Clipboard
- Smart cards
- USB devices
- Drives
- Supported Plug and Play devices










Enabling the Virtual Machine Enhanced Connection in Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V provides ease of access to resources via locally connected USB Device rather than over the network. Better performance is achieved during copying and installation etc., thereby making your life easier.