VMware Workstation Player course
Configuring USB Controllers in VMware Workstation Player
Learn how to configure USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0 controllers in VMware Workstation Player, check guest and VM compatibility, and attach physical USB devices.
A virtual machine needs a USB controller before VMware Workstation Player can present physical USB peripherals to its guest operating system. The controller is virtual hardware assigned to one particular virtual machine. It is separate from the individual USB devices that you later connect through VMware's removable-device controls.
In this lesson, you will select the appropriate controller generation, add or edit it in the virtual machine's hardware settings, and connect a physical USB device to a running guest.
What a Virtual USB Controller Does
A USB controller is the virtual hardware interface through which the guest operating system communicates with redirected USB devices. It does not represent one particular flash drive, keyboard, or printer. Instead, it provides the USB bus that allows eligible physical devices to be attached to the guest.
The controller is configured per virtual machine. After it is configured, individual devices are still connected separately using the Removable Devices menu. This separation is important:
- The USB controller determines which USB technology the virtual machine can provide, such as USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or USB 3.0.
- The removable-device controls determine which physical USB peripheral is currently connected to the guest.
- A controller can exist even when no physical USB device is attached.
Host USB Support Requirements
The host operating system is the operating system running VMware Workstation Player on the physical computer. The host computer and its operating system must support USB, and the physical device must be detected and available to the host before VMware can redirect it to a guest.
A separate host-side device driver for the particular USB peripheral is not always required for guest redirection. VMware can present the device to the guest even when the host does not have a device-specific driver, provided that the host can detect and make the USB device available through its USB subsystem. The guest then needs suitable drivers to use the device.
USB Controller Types
VMware Workstation Player can provide different virtual USB controller generations. The controller generation affects which USB device generations the guest can use and which virtual hardware compatibility level is required.
| USB version | Controller interface | Minimum VM hardware compatibility | Guest operating system requirements | Supported device generations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB 1.1 | UHCI | All virtual hardware versions | No special guest version stated | USB 1.1 |
| USB 2.0 | EHCI | Workstation 6 or later | No special guest version stated | USB 2.0 |
| USB 3.0 | xHCI | Workstation 8 or later | Linux kernel 2.6.35 or later, or Windows 8 or later | USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 |
USB 1.1: UHCI
UHCI means Universal Host Controller Interface. It is the controller model associated with USB 1.1. UHCI is usable across all virtual-machine hardware versions, so it is the most broadly compatible option.
Choose UHCI when an older guest operating system or legacy virtual-machine configuration only needs basic USB 1.1 support. It can also be appropriate when compatibility with older virtual hardware is more important than USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 performance.
USB 2.0: EHCI
EHCI means Enhanced Host Controller Interface. It is the controller model associated with USB 2.0. The virtual machine must use Workstation 6 or newer virtual hardware compatibility before an EHCI controller can be configured.
If a VM uses older virtual hardware, the USB 2.0 option may be unavailable. In that case, retain the compatible USB 1.1 controller or change the VM's hardware compatibility level when appropriate.
USB 3.0: xHCI
xHCI means Extensible Host Controller Interface. It is the controller model used for USB 3.0. The VM must use Workstation 8 or newer virtual hardware compatibility.
The guest must also support xHCI. The stated requirements are a Linux kernel version 2.6.35 or later, or Windows 8 or later. When these requirements are met, an xHCI controller can be used with USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 peripherals.
Choosing the Correct Controller
Use the following decision process before changing the VM:
- Identify the USB device generation you need. A USB 1.1 device has the least demanding requirements; a USB 3.0 device may require xHCI for USB 3.0 functionality.
- Check the guest operating system. For USB 3.0, confirm that Windows 8 or later is installed, or that a Linux guest uses kernel 2.6.35 or later.
- Check the VM's virtual hardware compatibility level. USB 2.0 requires Workstation 6 or later compatibility, while USB 3.0 requires Workstation 8 or later compatibility.
- Choose the newest controller supported by both the guest and the VM hardware when USB 3.0 functionality is required.
- If the required controller is unavailable, consider changing the virtual hardware compatibility level before configuring the controller.
Adding or Editing the USB Controller
Change virtual hardware while the target virtual machine is powered off. The exact labels can vary slightly by Workstation Player version, but the process is:
- Power off the virtual machine completely. Do not suspend it if the interface requires a powered-off state for hardware changes.
- Open the target VM's hardware or virtual machine settings.
- Review the hardware list. If no USB Controller is present, choose the option to add a virtual device and select USB Controller.
- Select the required USB compatibility or controller type: USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or USB 3.0.
- Save the configuration.
- Start the virtual machine. Attach an individual physical device only after the guest is running.
For background on hardware compatibility levels, see Configuring a Virtual Machine for Compatibility. For general virtual-machine hardware settings, see VMware Workstation Player Home Screen.
Connecting a Physical USB Device
Adding the controller does not automatically attach every USB device. Connect each eligible peripheral separately:
- Start the virtual machine.
- Open the VM's Removable Devices menu.
- Select the physical USB device from the list.
- Choose the command to connect the device to the virtual machine.
- Wait for the guest operating system to detect the device and install or load an appropriate guest driver.
When connected to the guest, the device generally becomes unavailable to the host. Disconnect it from the guest before expecting host applications to use it again.
For the device-level workflow, see Connecting or Disconnecting a USB Device to a Virtual Machine. You can also review Choosing What Happens When You Connect USB Devices.
USB Keyboards and Mice
USB keyboards and mice are USB human interface devices, often abbreviated as USB HIDs. VMware hides these input devices from the normal Removable Devices list by default. This protects the host from losing its primary input controls accidentally.
If you deliberately need to pass a USB keyboard or mouse to the guest, enable Show all USB input devices in the relevant VMware Workstation Player preferences or USB settings. After enabling the setting, use the Removable Devices controls to connect the selected input device.
For the HID-specific procedure, see Connecting USB HIDs to a Virtual Machine.
| Device category | Default availability in Removable Devices | Required action | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| General eligible USB devices | Normally available when the host detects the device and the VM has a USB controller | Select the device and connect it to the running VM | The device generally becomes unavailable to the host while attached to the guest |
| USB keyboard | Hidden by default | Enable Show all USB input devices, then connect it deliberately | Disconnecting the active host keyboard can make host control difficult |
| USB mouse | Hidden by default | Enable Show all USB input devices, then connect it deliberately | Keep an alternate host input method available |
Practical Configuration Examples
Legacy Guest Requiring Basic USB Support
A VM with an older virtual hardware compatibility level needs a USB 1.1 peripheral. Configure or retain a UHCI USB 1.1 controller. UHCI is suitable because it works across all virtual-machine hardware versions and does not require the newer compatibility levels required by EHCI or xHCI.
USB 2.0 Flash Drive
A VM using Workstation 6-era or newer virtual hardware needs a USB 2.0 flash drive:
- Power off the VM and select an EHCI USB 2.0 controller.
- Save the settings and start the VM.
- Open Removable Devices and connect the flash drive.
- Verify that the guest detects the storage device.
USB 3.0 External Drive in Windows
A Windows 8-or-later guest using Workstation 8-or-later virtual hardware needs a USB 3.0 external disk. Select an xHCI USB 3.0 controller, start the VM, connect the disk from Removable Devices, and verify recognition in the guest. Both the guest and VM hardware satisfy the xHCI requirements.
USB 3.0 Peripheral in Linux
For a Linux guest, confirm that the kernel is version 2.6.35 or later and that the VM uses Workstation 8-or-later hardware compatibility. Configure xHCI, attach the peripheral after startup, and check whether the guest recognizes it.
Troubleshooting USB Controllers and Passthrough
No USB Controller Option or No Newer Controller Choice
The VM may use an older virtual hardware compatibility level. Check that level and either use the controller supported by the current configuration or upgrade compatibility when appropriate. Do not select xHCI unless the VM meets the Workstation 8-or-later requirement.
USB 3.0 Device Is Not Recognized Correctly
- Verify that the VM uses an xHCI controller rather than UHCI or EHCI.
- Verify Workstation 8-or-later virtual hardware compatibility.
- Verify that the guest is Windows 8 or newer, or Linux with kernel 2.6.35 or newer.
- Confirm that the device is connected to the guest through Removable Devices.
Keyboard or Mouse Is Missing
VMware hides USB human interface devices by default. Enable Show all USB input devices and then check the Removable Devices menu. Before connecting the device, ensure that another method of controlling the host is available.
USB Device Cannot Be Connected
- Confirm that the host computer and host operating system detect USB devices correctly.
- Confirm that the target VM has a virtual USB controller.
- Check whether the device is already being used by the host or another virtual machine.
- Disconnect competing host or VM use before connecting the device to the target guest.
Summary
- A virtual USB controller is virtual hardware configured per VM; it is not an individual USB peripheral.
- UHCI provides USB 1.1 and works with all virtual hardware versions.
- EHCI provides USB 2.0 and requires Workstation 6-or-later virtual hardware compatibility.
- xHCI provides USB 3.0 and requires Workstation 8-or-later compatibility plus a supported guest: Linux kernel 2.6.35 or later, or Windows 8 or later.
- Configure the controller while the VM is powered off, then attach physical devices from Removable Devices after startup.
- USB keyboards and mice are hidden by default; enable Show all USB input devices only when deliberate passthrough is needed.
Continue with the VMware Workstation Player Course for related virtual-machine configuration lessons.