VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Add and Configure a USB Controller in VMware Player

Learn how to restore or add a USB controller in VMware Player, choose USB compatibility, connect devices, share Bluetooth, expose HID devices, and enable isochronous USB.

A VMware Player virtual USB controller gives a guest operating system access to compatible USB hardware connected to the host system. The host system is the physical computer running VMware Player; the guest operating system is the operating system inside the virtual machine.

The controller is virtual hardware. It is not the same thing as a physical USB device such as a flash drive, keyboard, mouse, Bluetooth adapter, or capture device. The controller provides the connection mechanism, while individual physical devices can be assigned to either the host or the guest through VMware Player.

Before You Begin

Confirm that you can identify the target virtual machine in the VMware Player library.
Shut down the guest operating system and make sure the virtual machine is fully powered off, not suspended.
Check that the intended USB device is supported by the guest operating system and that the guest has, or can install, an appropriate driver.
Understand that a USB device assigned to the guest is generally unavailable to the host until it is disconnected from the virtual machine.

USB Controller Availability and Limits

Newly created VMware Player virtual machines normally include one USB controller. A VMware Player virtual machine supports a single USB controller, so adding another controller is not a way to create multiple independent USB controllers.

If the controller was removed, it can be added again. Restoring it lets the guest connect compatible USB devices, but it does not automatically attach every physical device to the guest. Device ownership is managed separately through VMware Player's Removable Devices menu.

Open the Virtual Machine Hardware Settings

Fully power off the target virtual machine.
Select the virtual machine in the VMware Player library.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Select the Hardware tab.
Click Add to start the Add Hardware wizard.

Add the USB Controller

In the Add Hardware wizard, select USB Controller.
Review the available controller settings.
Choose a USB compatibility version supported by the guest operating system and suitable for the devices you plan to use.
Set the optional connection, input-device, Bluetooth, and isochronous-transfer options as needed.
Complete the wizard by selecting Finish.
Verify that USB Controller now appears in the virtual machine's hardware list.
Save the virtual machine configuration and start the guest when you are ready to test it.

Choose USB Compatibility

USB compatibility specifies the USB standard or version presented by the virtual controller to the guest. Select a version that both the guest operating system and the intended USB devices support.

This choice can affect whether a device is recognized and which USB capabilities are available. If a device is not detected, review the selected compatibility mode as well as the guest's USB drivers. Changing compatibility does not replace the need for a suitable guest-side driver.

Configure USB Controller Options

Option	Function	When to Enable or Select It	Important Considerations
USB compatibility	Sets the virtual USB standard exposed to the guest.	Choose a version supported by the guest and intended devices.	An unsuitable version can affect recognition and available capabilities.
Automatically connect new USB devices when the virtual machine has focus	Transfers newly detected USB devices to the focused virtual machine automatically.	Enable it when newly inserted devices should normally go directly to the guest.	When enabled, the active VMware Player window determines which virtual machine receives the device.
Show all USB input devices	Exposes USB Human Interface Devices, or USB HID devices, in the removable-device controls.	Enable it when a keyboard, mouse, or similar input device must be connected manually to the guest.	Passing through the only host keyboard or mouse can remove host control.
Share Bluetooth devices with the virtual machine	Allows Bluetooth functionality to be made available to the guest through the host.	Enable it when the guest must use compatible Bluetooth hardware or peripherals.	Availability depends on host hardware, host drivers, and guest Bluetooth support.
Enable isochronous USB devices	Enables support for USB transfers that require regular timing.	Use it for supported audio, video, or capture devices that do not work correctly with ordinary USB configuration.	Guest drivers and application support are still required.

Automatic Connection and Virtual Machine Focus

The automatic-connection setting controls what happens when VMware Player detects a new USB device. With the setting enabled, a newly attached device is transferred to the virtual machine whose window currently has virtual machine focus. Focus means that the VMware Player virtual machine window is the active target for user input.

With automatic connection disabled, newly detected USB devices remain connected to the host system by default. You can then decide manually whether to assign a particular device to the guest through the Removable Devices menu. This behavior is useful when USB storage should normally remain available to the host.

Situation	Default Device Owner	How to Change Ownership	Effect on the Other System
Automatic connection disabled	Host	Use VMware Player's removable-device controls to connect the device to the guest.	The guest cannot use the device until it is assigned to the virtual machine.
Automatic connection enabled while the virtual machine is focused	Focused guest	Change focus or use removable-device controls to select the desired owner.	The host loses access while the device is attached to the guest.
Manually connected through removable-device controls	System selected by the user	Choose the device and connect or disconnect it from the guest.	The device moves between host and guest ownership.
USB keyboard or mouse passed through	Guest	Disconnect it from the guest using VMware Player and an alternate input method if necessary.	The host may lose control of that input device until it is released.

USB HID Visibility

A USB HID, or Human Interface Device, includes common input hardware such as a keyboard or mouse. VMware Player normally hides USB input devices from the removable-device connection menu. This protects the host from accidentally losing its primary input device.

Enable Show all USB input devices when you need to make a keyboard, mouse, or another USB HID eligible for manual guest connection. Use this option carefully. If the guest receives the only keyboard or mouse controlling the host, you may be unable to operate the host or disconnect the device normally. Keep an alternate input method available before passing through a host-critical device.

Bluetooth Device Sharing

The Bluetooth-sharing option permits the guest to use Bluetooth functionality through the host. Enable it when a supported Bluetooth adapter or peripheral must be available inside the virtual machine.

Bluetooth sharing is not guaranteed by the controller setting alone. The host must have compatible Bluetooth hardware and working drivers, and the guest operating system must provide the required Bluetooth support and drivers.

Isochronous USB Support

Isochronous USB is a transfer mode designed for data that must arrive at regular timing rather than being delivered only when retransmission is possible. Some audio, video, and capture peripherals use this mode.

If a supported USB multimedia device connects but behaves unreliably, enable Enable isochronous USB devices in the USB controller configuration. Then reconnect the device after booting the guest and test it with the intended application. The guest still needs a suitable device driver and application support.

Validate the Configuration

Save the hardware configuration and start the virtual machine.
Attach an eligible USB device to the host.
Open VMware Player's Removable Devices menu.
Select the device and connect it to the guest.
Inside the guest, check the file manager, device settings, disk utility, or relevant application.
Confirm that the guest detects the device and has an appropriate driver.

When a device is connected to the guest, it is normally unavailable to the host. Disconnect it from the guest through the removable-device controls before expecting the host to use it again.

Practical Examples

Restore a Removed USB Controller

Shut down the guest completely and verify that the virtual machine is powered off.
Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
On the Hardware tab, select Add.
Choose USB Controller in the Add Hardware wizard.
Retain or select a USB compatibility mode supported by the guest.
Finish the wizard, verify the controller in the hardware list, save the configuration, and boot the guest.

Expected result: The guest can again connect supported USB devices through VMware Player.

Keep a Newly Inserted Flash Drive on the Host

Power off the virtual machine before changing the controller setting.
Disable automatic connection of new USB devices to the focused virtual machine.
Start the guest and insert the USB storage device.
Confirm that the host retains the device unless you manually connect it to the guest.

Expected result: The flash drive remains available to the host by default.

Use a Flash Drive Inside the Guest

Add or verify the virtual USB controller.
Start the virtual machine.
Open the Removable Devices menu and connect the flash drive to the guest.
Check the guest file manager or disk utility for the drive.

Expected result: The drive appears in the guest and is unavailable to the host while assigned to the virtual machine.

Pass Through a Keyboard or Mouse

Enable visibility of all USB input devices in the controller settings.
Start the guest and locate the input device in the removable-device controls.
Connect it only when an alternate way to control the host and reverse the connection is available.

Expected result: The HID becomes eligible for guest connection, while the host-input risk remains controlled.

Connect a Timing-Sensitive Multimedia Peripheral

Power off the guest and enable isochronous USB support in the controller configuration.
Boot the guest and attach the audio, video, or capture device through VMware Player.
Install or verify the guest-side driver.
Test the device in the relevant guest application.

Expected result: A compatible isochronous USB peripheral can be tested with the required transfer support enabled.

Troubleshooting

The USB Controller Cannot Be Added

The virtual machine may still be running or suspended. Fully power it off, reopen the virtual machine settings, and repeat the Add Hardware procedure.

The Device Appears on the Host but Not in the Guest

The device may still belong to the host, automatic connection may be disabled, or it may not have been manually assigned. Open the Removable Devices menu, connect the device to the guest, and then check for a suitable guest driver.

A Keyboard or Mouse Is Not Listed

USB HID devices are hidden by default. Enable the option that shows all USB input devices, then reconnect the device cautiously.

The Host Loses Keyboard or Mouse Control

The input device has likely been passed through exclusively to the guest. Disconnect it from the guest using VMware Player and an alternate input method if necessary. Avoid passing through the only input device available to the host.

A Bluetooth Peripheral Is Missing in the Guest

Check that Bluetooth sharing is enabled. Then verify that Bluetooth hardware and drivers work on the host and that the guest operating system supports the required Bluetooth device and drivers.

An Audio, Video, or Capture Device Is Unreliable

The peripheral may require isochronous transfers. Enable isochronous USB support, reconnect the device, and verify the guest driver and application configuration.

The Device Is Not Recognized After Selecting USB Compatibility

The selected virtual USB version may not suit the device or guest operating system. Review the compatibility selection and guest support, choose a compatible configuration, and reconnect the device.

Exam-Relevant Notes

A VMware Player virtual machine supports one USB controller.
Adding the controller provides virtual USB capability; it does not automatically connect every physical USB device.
Hardware changes require a fully powered-off virtual machine, not a suspended or running one.
When automatic connection is disabled, new USB devices remain with the host by default.
Virtual machine focus matters when automatic connection is enabled.
USB HIDs are normally hidden from the removable-device menu and can be exposed with the all-input-devices option.
Bluetooth sharing depends on host hardware and drivers as well as guest support.
Isochronous USB support is relevant to timing-sensitive audio, video, and capture peripherals.

For related work, continue with USB controller configuration in VMware Player after confirming the controller and device ownership settings.