Connect and Disconnect USB Devices in VMware Player Virtual Machines

Learn how to connect a host USB device to a running VMware Player virtual machine, verify it in the guest, and safely return it to the host.

VMware Player can assign a supported USB device connected to the physical computer directly to a running virtual machine. This process is called USB passthrough. The device then appears to the guest operating system much like hardware plugged directly into that guest.

The physical computer and its operating system are the host system. The software-based computer running in VMware Player is the virtual machine, and the operating system inside it is the guest operating system.

Requirements before connecting a USB device

The target virtual machine must be powered on.
The USB device must be physically connected to the host computer.
The host operating system should recognize the device before you try to pass it through.
If several virtual machines are running, identify the correct target before selecting the device.
The guest may need a hardware driver, vendor application, or device-specific permissions after connection.

For a new VMware Player user, first review how to start a virtual machine and the distinction between a host and guest operating system.

How USB passthrough works

When VMware Player connects a host-attached USB device to the guest, the guest receives control of that physical device. The host normally stops using it, and the guest can detect, mount, or operate it according to its own drivers and settings.

For example, a USB flash drive connected to a running guest should disappear from the host's usable drives and appear in the guest's file manager. This is not file sharing: it is a change in device ownership.

Automatic USB connection behavior

If you insert a USB device while the virtual machine is running and its window has focus, VMware Player may automatically offer or assign the device to that virtual machine. Automatic behavior depends on VMware Player settings, the host operating system, the device type, and the version of VMware Player.

If the device remains available to the host, it has not necessarily failed. The virtual machine window may not have been active, automatic connection may be disabled or unsupported for that device, or a host application may already be using it. In those cases, attach the device manually.

Manually connect a USB device to the guest

Power on the intended virtual machine and select its window.
Connect the USB device to the host, or confirm that it is already connected and recognized by the host.
Open the VMware Player menu for the running virtual machine.
Choose Player, then Removable Devices.
Find the intended device in the list. Device names can be generic, so use the vendor, model, or current connection state to identify it.
Select the device and choose the action that connects it to the virtual machine. The wording commonly indicates that it is being connected to the guest and disconnected from the host.
Wait for the guest operating system to detect the hardware.
Verify the result in the guest's file manager, device manager, hardware settings, or relevant application.

The exact labels can vary by VMware Player version. Look for a connect-to-virtual-machine action rather than an option that leaves the device connected only to the host.

Example: attach a USB flash drive

Start the target virtual machine.
Insert the flash drive and confirm that the host detects it.
Open Player > Removable Devices.
Select the flash drive and connect it to the virtual machine.
Open the guest file manager and look for the newly attached drive.

After a successful transfer, the flash drive is unavailable for normal use on the host while it is mounted in the guest.

Use the virtual machine status bar or device icon

Some VMware Player interfaces show removable-device icons in the running virtual machine's status bar. As an alternative to the main menu, right-click the relevant device icon and choose the available connect or disconnect action.

Icons and labels vary by VMware Player version and by the device currently attached. If no suitable icon is visible, use Player > Removable Devices.

Disconnect a USB device and return it to the host

Disconnecting a USB storage device transfers ownership back to the host. It should be done only after the guest has finished using the device.

Close files and applications using the device in the guest.
Wait for file copies, writes, synchronization, or indexing to finish.
Use the guest operating system's normal eject, unmount, or safe removal procedure.
Open Player > Removable Devices.
Select the device currently attached to the guest.
Choose the action that disconnects it from the virtual machine and reconnects it to the host.
Confirm that the host operating system detects the device again.

USB device connection states

Connected to host: The host controls the device, and host applications can use it. To change state, attach it through VMware Player's removable-device controls.
Connected to virtual machine: The guest controls the device, and the host normally cannot use it. To change state, safely eject or unmount it in the guest when applicable, then disconnect it through VMware Player.
Storage safely prepared for disconnection: The guest has completed pending storage activity and has ejected or unmounted the volume. It is ready to be returned to the host, but VMware Player still must perform the ownership transfer.

Common USB device types and special considerations

USB flash drives: Useful for moving files or testing removable storage. Always eject or unmount them in the guest before returning them to the host.
External USB disks: Treat them like flash drives, but allow extra time for pending writes, filesystem checks, and indexing.
USB HIDs: USB Human Interface Devices include keyboards, mice, scanners, and similar input peripherals. A secondary keyboard or mouse is safer to redirect than the only input device controlling the host.
Phones and cameras: They may require guest drivers, vendor software, a selected USB mode, or permission approval on the device itself.
Security keys and smart-card readers: They can require guest middleware, drivers, or exclusive access. A host security service may also prevent release.
Printers and specialized equipment: Compatibility can depend on the guest driver, USB protocol, VMware Player version, host permissions, and the device manufacturer's software.

When redirecting the primary keyboard or mouse, retain another way to control the host. If input is captured by the guest, use another host input device or the virtual machine controls to disconnect the HID.

For HID-specific guidance, see connecting USB HIDs to a virtual machine. USB controller settings may also affect compatibility; see configuring a USB controller.

Practical examples

Return an external USB drive safely

Close every guest application using the drive.
Wait for transfers and background activity to finish.
Eject or unmount the drive inside the guest.
Use the VMware Player removable-device menu to disconnect it from the guest.
Confirm that the host detects the drive and can access it normally.

Manually attach a device that did not auto-connect

Keep the intended virtual machine powered on.
Confirm that the host recognizes the device.
Open the removable-device list and identify the device by vendor, model, or connection state.
Select the connect-to-guest action.
Check the guest device manager, system information tool, or file manager.

Connect a USB HID without losing host control

Determine whether the device is a secondary peripheral or the host's only keyboard or mouse.
Connect only an appropriate device through the removable-device controls.
Verify that the guest recognizes the HID.
Keep another input method available so you can reverse the connection if necessary.

Troubleshooting USB connections

The USB device does not appear in the removable-device list

Reconnect the device and confirm that the host operating system detects it.
Make sure the intended virtual machine is powered on.
Reopen the removable-device list after reconnecting the hardware.
Try another USB port.
Close host applications that may be using the device.
Check host permissions, VMware Player support, USB controller compatibility, and guest compatibility.

The device remains connected to the host

Automatic connection may not have occurred because the virtual machine window lacked focus.
Use the removable-device menu to attach the device manually.
Close host applications that have an open handle to the device.
Disconnect and reconnect the USB device if necessary, then try the manual connection again.

The guest detects the device but cannot use it

Check the guest's device manager or hardware settings for a missing or failed driver.
Install the appropriate guest driver or vendor software.
Check whether the guest supports the device's filesystem, protocol, or operating mode.
Review device-specific permissions and compatibility requirements.

The storage device cannot be returned to the host

Close files and applications using the volume.
Wait for background processes such as indexing or synchronization to stop.
Eject or unmount the volume in the guest.
After safe removal completes, disconnect the device through VMware Player.

Attaching a keyboard or mouse causes control problems

The essential host input device may have been redirected to the guest.
Use another available host keyboard or mouse to reverse the connection.
Avoid redirecting the only host input device unless the workflow requires it.
Use the virtual machine's removable-device controls to disconnect the HID from the guest.

Limitations to keep in mind

A host application can prevent VMware Player from releasing a device. Device names in the list may be generic, so identification may require comparing vendor and model information or disconnecting unrelated devices first. Some combinations of VMware Player version, host platform, permissions, USB controller support, and guest operating system do not support every USB device.

If passthrough is unreliable, use a guest-compatible driver, try a different USB port, close host software that claims the device, or consider a host-to-guest file-transfer method such as shared folders when direct hardware access is unnecessary.

Key points

The virtual machine must be powered on, and the host must recognize the USB device.
Use Player > Removable Devices to connect a device manually.
Connecting to the guest normally disconnects the device from the host.
Safely eject or unmount storage in the guest before returning it to the host.
Protect host control when redirecting keyboards and mice.
A guest driver or device-specific software may still be required after passthrough succeeds.