VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management
Control Automatic USB Device Connection in VMware Workstation Player
Learn how to stop newly connected USB devices from automatically attaching to a focused VMware Workstation Player VM and keep them under host control.
When VMware Workstation Player runs a virtual machine, a USB device can usually be controlled by either the physical computer or the guest operating system inside the VM. This guide explains how to keep newly inserted USB devices on the host by disabling automatic USB connection for a specific VM.
Understand USB ownership
The host system is the physical computer and operating system running VMware Workstation Player. The guest operating system is the operating system installed inside a virtual machine (VM), which is a software-defined computer managed by Player.
A USB device is generally available to one side at a time. If VMware attaches a flash drive, printer, or other supported device to the guest, the host normally cannot use that device until it is disconnected from the guest and returned to host control.
Automatic connection is only the initial decision made when a device is detected. It is different from manually connecting or disconnecting a device later.
Default behavior for newly inserted USB devices
By default, when a new USB device is plugged in while a VM window has focus, VMware Workstation Player can automatically attach the device to that VM. Focus means that the VM window is active and receiving keyboard or mouse input.
This behavior is convenient when the guest is the intended user of every newly inserted device. However, it can mean that the host does not retain control of a device you expected to use with the host file manager, backup software, synchronization utility, printer service, or security tools.
Focus matters at the moment the device is inserted. If another application or the host desktop has focus, the default destination can differ. Device type and VMware support also affect the result, so use the USB device controls to inspect and correct ownership when necessary.
When to disable automatic USB connection
Disable automatic attachment when the host should remain the default owner of new devices. Common examples include:
- Opening files on a USB flash drive with the host file manager.
- Allowing host backup software to scan removable storage.
- Using host-side device synchronization software.
- Keeping security-sensitive storage under host control until you deliberately inspect it.
- Using a printer or peripheral intended for the physical computer.
- Preventing an experimental or development VM from taking devices unexpectedly.
Disabling the option does not remove manual USB passthrough. When the guest needs a supported device, you can still intentionally select that device and connect it to the VM.
The setting applies to one VM
Automatic USB connection is a per-VM setting. It applies only to the named virtual machine whose hardware configuration you edit. Changing the setting for a development VM does not change the behavior of an accounting VM or any other VM in the Player library.
Check every VM that needs different USB behavior. For example, you might allow automatic device connection in a development VM while disabling it in an accounting VM so newly inserted storage remains with the host.
Power off the VM before editing hardware
The VM must be powered off before you edit this hardware configuration. Powered off means the guest has been fully shut down. A running VM is still executing, and a suspended VM has saved its current state; suspension is not the same as a full shutdown.
If hardware controls are unavailable or locked, verify that the VM is not running or suspended. Close any relevant guest session, choose the guest's full shutdown option, and wait until Player shows the VM as powered off.
Disable automatic USB connection in VMware Workstation Player
- In the Player library, select the intended virtual machine.
- Make sure that VM is completely powered off, not running or suspended.
- Open Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
- Open the Hardware tab.
- Select USB Controller.
- Locate the option that automatically connects newly inserted or newly detected USB devices to the VM.
- Clear that option to stop automatic attachment for this VM.
- Save or apply the change, then start the VM when you are ready.
Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Hardware > USB ControllerVerify the new behavior
- Start the VM and leave its window focused.
- Insert a supported USB device after the guest has started.
- Check the host file manager or host device list. The device should remain available to the host rather than immediately appearing only in the guest.
- Check VMware's USB device controls and the guest's device list if the result is different from expectations.
- If the device is already assigned to the guest, disconnect it from the guest before testing again. Changing the preference does not necessarily move an already connected device.
A successful test confirms that the host keeps control by default. The host may still need to mount or initialize storage, and some device types may require separate drivers or special handling.
Manually connect a device to the guest
After automatic attachment is disabled, guest access becomes an intentional action. Insert the device, confirm that the host recognizes it, then use VMware's USB device controls to select the desired device and connect it to the VM.
For removable storage, close files and applications first. Unmount or safely remove the device from the guest operating system before disconnecting it through VMware. Then confirm that it has returned to the host before using it from host applications.
USB human interface devices need extra care
A USB HID, or Human Interface Device, includes a keyboard, mouse, and similar input peripheral. Moving an input device into a VM changes where its input is delivered.
Take extra care before attaching a USB keyboard or mouse. If the guest receives the only active input device, controlling the host can become difficult. HID connection behavior can also differ from general removable-storage behavior, so follow HID-specific guidance before transferring an input peripheral.
Troubleshooting
The automatic USB connection option cannot be changed
- Power off the VM completely; do not leave it running or suspended.
- Reopen the selected VM's settings.
- Confirm that the USB Controller entry is selected.
- Verify that you opened settings for the intended VM, not another library entry.
A newly attached device still appears in the guest
- Confirm that the setting was changed on the VM currently in use.
- Disconnect the device from the guest and reconnect it after verifying the configuration.
- Check whether someone manually connected the device through VMware's USB controls.
The host cannot access a USB device
- The device may currently be assigned to the guest.
- The guest may have mounted the storage or be using it in an application.
- Safely unmount or disconnect the device from the guest as appropriate.
- Return it to host control through VMware's USB device management options.
The expected automatic behavior does not occur
- Check which window had focus when the device was inserted.
- Review the USB Controller setting for the selected VM.
- Determine whether the device was already attached elsewhere.
- Try manual attachment if the device type has special handling or is not automatically supported.
- Use HID-specific guidance for keyboards, mice, and other input devices.
Practical decision
If the host should control new USB devices, power off the target VM, clear the automatic connection option under its USB Controller settings, and test with the VM focused. Later, attach only the supported devices that the guest actually needs, and safely disconnect removable storage before returning it to the host.
For related guidance, see choosing what happens when you connect USB devices.