VMware Workstation Player course

Control Automatic USB Device Connection in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to stop new USB devices from automatically connecting to a focused VMware Workstation Player VM and manually transfer devices when needed.

VMware Workstation Player can direct a newly attached USB device to the virtual machine (VM) that currently has focus. This is convenient when the guest regularly uses USB hardware, but it can also unexpectedly take a flash drive, phone, keyboard, or mouse away from the host system.

This guide explains how USB ownership works, how to disable automatic connection for a VM, and how to connect supported devices manually when guest access is required.

Host and guest USB ownership

The host system is the physical computer and its operating system that runs VMware Workstation Player. The guest operating system is the operating system running inside a VM. A VM is an isolated, software-based computer configured in VMware Workstation Player.

A physical USB device can generally be available to the host or passed through to one VM at a time. USB passthrough means making the physical device directly available to the guest instead of the host.

Device connection state | Host access | Guest access | Typical use case

Connected to host | Available | Not available directly | Host file transfer, backup, security scanning, or phone synchronization

Connected to one guest | Usually unavailable | Available to that guest | Using a USB drive or specialized peripheral inside the VM

Not connected or physically removed | Unavailable | Unavailable | Device is unplugged or not detected

When VMware transfers a device to a guest, the host may stop showing it in its file manager or device tools. Disconnecting it from the guest returns ownership to the host, although the host may need a moment to detect it again.

What happens when a new USB device is attached

VM focus is the state in which the VM window is the active target for keyboard, mouse, and related interaction. By default, VMware Workstation Player automatically connects a newly attached USB device to the focused VM.

For example, if a VM window is active and you plug in a USB flash drive, VMware may direct the drive to that VM instead of leaving it available to the host. The result depends on both the VM's automatic USB connection setting and whether that VM has focus at the time of attachment.

VM USB auto-connect setting | VM focus state | Expected destination for a newly attached USB device | User action needed

Enabled | VM has focus | Focused VM | None for automatic connection

Enabled | VM does not have focus | Normally remains with the host or follows VMware's device-selection behavior | Manually connect it if the guest needs it

Disabled | VM has focus | Host initially retains the device | Manually connect it to the guest when required

Disabled | VM does not have focus | Host initially retains the device | Manually connect it to the intended VM if required

Disabling automatic connection changes the handling of newly attached devices. It does not remove USB support or prevent you from manually connecting a supported device to a guest.

When to disable automatic USB connection

Disable automatic connection when the host should retain control of newly attached USB devices. Common examples include:

  • Copying files with a host-side file manager.
  • Allowing host backup tools to read a removable drive.
  • Letting host security software scan a new device.
  • Synchronizing a phone with host software.
  • Preventing a guest from accidentally capturing a peripheral intended for the host.
  • Keeping a newly attached flash drive available to the host unless you deliberately choose the guest.

This setting is especially useful for work VMs that do not normally need USB hardware. You can leave automatic connection enabled for a separate test VM that frequently uses USB devices.

Power off the VM before changing the setting

The VM must be powered off before you change its USB Controller configuration. Powered off means the VM has been shut down completely; it is not running and is not suspended.

A running VM cannot safely apply every virtual hardware change. A suspended VM has saved state and is not the same as a powered-off VM, so the setting may be unavailable or changes may not apply until you discard the suspended state by shutting the guest down normally.

Shut down the guest operating system, then confirm that VMware reports the VM as powered off before opening the hardware settings.

Disable automatic USB connection for a VM

  1. In the VMware Workstation Player library, select the target VM.
  2. Open the Player management menu and choose Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
  3. Open the Hardware tab.
  4. Select USB Controller in the virtual hardware list.
  5. Clear Automatically connect new USB devices.
  6. Save or apply the configuration.
  7. Start the VM when you are ready to use it.
Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Hardware > USB Controller
Setting: Automatically connect new USB devices
Desired value: Cleared or disabled
Precondition: VM is powered off

The USB Controller is the virtual hardware component that provides USB support to the guest operating system. The checkbox belongs to the selected VM's USB Controller configuration.

For background on virtual hardware, see Configuring a USB Controller.

The setting applies to one VM only

Automatic USB connection is a per-VM preference. Changing it for one VM does not change the behavior of other VMs in the library.

If several VMs should keep newly attached devices on the host, power off and configure each VM separately. For example, you might disable the option for a work VM but leave it enabled for a laboratory VM used for USB testing.

Manually connect a USB device to the guest

With automatic connection disabled, a new device initially remains under host control. To use it in a guest, use VMware's removable-device controls to transfer it deliberately.

  1. Attach the USB device to the physical computer and confirm that the host detects it.
  2. Select the intended VM and start it if necessary.
  3. Open VMware's removable-device or USB connection controls for that VM.
  4. Select the device and choose the control that connects it to the guest.
  5. Wait for the guest operating system to detect and mount or configure the device.

Only one operating system normally has direct access at a time. If the device is connected to the guest, host applications may no longer be able to use it. After finishing, use the same VMware removable-device controls to disconnect it from the VM. The host should then regain access.

For the device-specific workflow, see Connecting or Disconnecting a USB Device to a Virtual Machine.

Take extra care with USB HID devices

A USB HID is a USB Human Interface Device: hardware used for human input. Keyboards and mice are common HIDs; other pointing devices, game controllers, and similar input hardware may also use the HID class.

Device type | Examples | Potential impact of guest connection | Recommended precaution

Storage | Flash drive, card reader, external disk | Host file tools may lose access while the guest owns it | Use a nonessential device for testing and disconnect it from the guest after use

Phone or media device | Smartphone, camera, portable media player | Host synchronization or import software may stop seeing it | Keep it on the host unless guest access is intentional

USB HID | Keyboard, mouse, game controller | The input device may temporarily stop controlling the host | Avoid passing through essential input devices; keep a secondary input method available

Specialized peripheral | Security key, adapter, laboratory hardware | Host software may no longer communicate with it | Confirm that the guest supports the device before transferring ownership

Passing a keyboard or mouse through to a guest can make it temporarily unavailable to the host. This is more disruptive than transferring an ordinary storage device because you may lose the ability to control the host interface. Use a secondary keyboard or mouse if a HID must be dedicated to the guest, and know how to disconnect it through VMware controls.

More HID-specific guidance is available in Connecting USB HIDs to a Virtual Machine.

Verify the new behavior

  1. Power on the configured VM.
  2. Give the VM window focus.
  3. Attach a nonessential USB storage device, preferably one that does not contain important data.
  4. Confirm that the host operating system detects the device and that it remains available to host file or device tools.
  5. Check that the guest does not show the device as connected unless you manually selected it.
  6. If needed, manually connect the device to the guest, confirm guest recognition, and then disconnect it to test the return to host control.

Host recognition may appear as a notification, a file-manager entry, or a device listing. Guest recognition may appear in the guest file manager, device settings, or hardware manager. The exact display depends on the operating systems involved.

Troubleshooting

The automatic USB option cannot be changed

  • Shut down the guest operating system.
  • Confirm that VMware shows the VM as powered off, not running or suspended.
  • Reopen Virtual Machine Settings, select Hardware > USB Controller, and edit the option again.

A new device still appears in the guest

  • Verify that you changed the setting for the VM selected in the library.
  • Power off that VM and confirm that automatic connection is disabled.
  • Check whether the device was manually connected to the guest.
  • Disconnect it through VMware's removable-device controls and confirm that the host detects it.

The device is unavailable on the host

The device may currently be connected to a guest, which means the guest has retained ownership. Disconnect the device from the VM using VMware's removable-device controls, then wait for the host operating system to detect it. If it does not reappear, reconnect the device physically.

Keyboard or mouse behavior is confusing

A USB HID may have been passed through to the guest even though you expected it to remain with the host. Disconnect the HID from the guest, use a different nonessential input device for passthrough, and disable automatic USB connection to prevent another accidental capture.

Summary

  • USB passthrough gives a physical device to the guest instead of the host, normally allowing direct access from one operating system at a time.
  • By default, a newly attached USB device can be sent to the VM that has focus.
  • To keep new devices on the host, power off the VM and clear Automatically connect new USB devices under Hardware > USB Controller.
  • The preference affects only the selected VM.
  • You can still manually connect supported devices to the guest and disconnect them to restore host access.
  • Use particular caution with keyboards and mice because guest passthrough can remove your control of the host interface.

For broader VMware Workstation Player navigation and concepts, see the VMware Workstation Player Course.