VMware – Fix ‘Host USB Device Connections Disabled’ on Windows 7

mmcusbvirtual machinevmware-workstationwindows 7

I installed Linux, Windows XP and Chrome OS in VMware Workstation 7 and in every OS the USB host doesn't work. When I start some of the Operating Systems this message shows up:

Host USB device connections disabled

The connection to the VMware USB Arbitration Service was unsuccessful. Please check the status of this service in the Microsoft Management Console.

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What can I do? What do I need to install to make the USB host work? I use Windows 7 as the host OS.

EDIT: if you have some programs from Sony or Sony Ericsson installed, go to Device Manager, then Drivers and set the certificate to Microsoft. See this:

http://ericwijaya.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/VMware-USB-cannot-connect-to-host-USB/ (thanks to https://superuser.com/users/33890/user33890)

Best Answer

See the answer below, from this blog post.


The root cause of this problem is that VMWare only support USB root hub driver from Microsoft. When your USB root hub driver get updated by another software (sony ericsson pc suite, AMD, etc.) the vmware cannot detect the usb driver.

What you can do is install the Microsoft USB Hub Driver on your Host. This is how you do it:

  1. Right Click on your My Computer icon and click Manage. Go to Device Manager. Search for USB Root Hub.

  2. Double Click on one of USB Root Hub. Check the Driver Provider. If it is a Sony Ericsson or provider other than Microsoft, you should install the Microsoft Driver. Klik Update Driver to Install Microsoft Driver.

  3. Choose Install from a list or specific location.

  4. Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install.

  5. Choose USB Root Hub from the bottom.

  6. Check again the Manufacturer. Make sure it is already changed to Microsoft.

  7. Do step 1-6 on all the USB Root Hub.

  8. Restart the Computer.


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