Connecting USB devices to a virtual machine using VMware Remote Console (VMRC)

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides detailed steps to connect USB devices from a local machine to a virtual machine using VMware Remote Console (VMRC).

Resolution

Note: If VMware Remote Console (VMRC) is not installed on your local machine, first download it using the Download VMware Remote Console documentation, and then install it by following the Installing VMware Remote Console instructions.

1. Configure USB controller

A USB controller must be present on the VM before USB devices can be connected.

• Windows / Linux
   1. Open the virtual machine in VMRC.
   2. Navigate to VMRC > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
   3. Go to the Hardware tab.
   4. Click Add, select USB Controller, and click Finish.
   5. To remove a USB controller, select it and click Remove.

• macOS

1. Power off the virtual machine.

2. Open Virtual Machine > Settings.

3. Under Removable Devices, click USB.

4. Select Add USB Controller.

5. To remove it, power off the VM and click Remove USB Controller under Advanced USB Options.

• USB Specification Options

Choose the appropriate USB version:

• USB 1.1

• USB 2.0

• USB 3.0

 

2. Connect USB devices to the Virtual Machine

1. Open the target VM in VMRC.

2. Access the removable devices menu:

• Windows: VMRC > Removable Devices

• macOS: Virtual Machine > USB & Bluetooth > USB & Bluetooth Settings

• Linux: Virtual Machine > Removable Devices

3. Connect the USB device:

• Windows / Linux:

Select the device and choose Connect (Disconnect from Host).

  • macOS:

Select the device under Connect USB devices from your Mac.

 

Connection Confirmation

• A check mark appears next to the device name when connected.

• A device icon appears inside the guest operating system.

• When using a USB hub, only the connected device is detected by the VM—not the hub.