Cannot add a local USB device from the vSphere Client on Windows Vista or 7 to a virtual machine

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides options to resolve the issue when adding a USB device from a client computer running Windows Vista or 7 to a virtual machine fails.

Symptoms:

• Cannot add a USB device to a virtual machine in the vSphere Client
• Adding a USB device from a client computer running Windows Vista or 7 to a virtual machine fails
• No USB devices are detected and the option is grayed out

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.5.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.5

Cause

This issue occurs because User Access Control (UAC) within the guest operating prevents unauthorized changes to the computer and prevents the detection of local USB devices within the vSphere Client.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, preform one of these options:

• Turn off or disable UAC and then select an available USB:
  
  
  1. Turn off or disable UAC for your operating system.
  2. Click the USB icon on the virtual machine toolbar.
  3. Select an available device from the Connect to USB Devices dropdown.
     
     
• Run the vSphere Client as Administrator.