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sppru
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Autoconnect USB device no longer works in VMWare Workstation 15

The autoconnection of USB devices is no longer working in VMware 15 for me.

In the config file there is a record:

usb.autoConnect.device0 = "path:1/3/0/1 autoclean:1" - Is this setting deprecated in version 15
but in the log file I see
USB: Skiping autoconnect in WS, using askconnect

In the log file from version 14 there was a record that the connection was successful.

Cofig file is the same, no changes.

Can anyone help or try if the autoconnect works  in your case.

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sppru
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I want to put this link here https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1648

I saw it was last updated today. And the other link in the release notes has the number eight, that should be at the end, omitted.

After adding usb.autoConnect.device0 = "vid:0123 pid:abcd" to the config .vmx file I can confirm that it works the right way and as expected. The issue is resolved for me. When I start or reboot the VM the USB device configured in usb.autoConnect entry connects automatically.

But still not working with the new Ask connect feature.

Thanks.

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xishengzhang
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Hello, Sppru

Thanks for your posting.

Regarding to your concern, I think the previous feature was enhanced to a new feature where you could define a connection rule for USB device. Through the rule, Workstation knows which VM the USB needs to connect to. For details, Please refer to Connecting USB Devices to Virtual Machines

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sppru
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Thanks a lot for the link.

All behaviour is as expected (written in the Docs) on a Windows host with Windows VM environment except for the fact the autoconnection is not working. When a VM is started the USB device doesn't reconnect to the VM according to the rules set. It was working with version 14.

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bonnie201110141
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Previous "autoconnect" feature was replaced by this ask_connect feature on Windows host as documented in below

Configure USB Device Connection Behavior

Select the Machine a USB Device Connects To

With this new feature, you can associate any USB device with a specific VM, regardless of which port the USB device is plugged into. The USB device will be connected to the associated VM when you plug the device into host port as long as the VM is powered on. But if the USB device is already connected to the host, when you power on the associated VM, the device will not automatically disconnect from host and connect to the VM.

Let me if the feature cannot satisfy your request.

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sppru
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I agree. I've read all of this. Actually I've tried all options from the settings.

Tried from Docs

Procedure

Select Edit > Preferences > USB.

  1. Select one of the options and click OK.
    • Ask me what to do
    • Connect the device to the host
    • Connect the device to the foreground virtual machine - when set this option doesn't disconnect the USB device from the host and connect it to guest VM automatically.

Setting a record in the config file doesn't do it (connect automatically) either.

usb.autoConnect.device0 = "path:1/3/0/1 autoclean:1" obviously for the reason you pointed out.

I need the old behaviour back, because I have a USB dongle (that is a HID type and doesn't need additional drivers) that is always connected to the Physical Host machine and protects a software that I run only in guest VM environment. And when I start the guest VM without the USB dongle connected to it (guest) the software cannot run because the protection component (dongle) is missing.

Additionally I have two other Card reader devices with Digital certificates that I use only in the VM guest and I want them to connect automatically too. But I've observed that when I connect them to the host USB port there is no dialog box popping up to offer that I chose what to do next (connect it to host, guest ,etc). I can only manually connect it to the VM guest. And I see on the bottom bar that I can chose the Reader itself or Shared Reader device. There are two choices available.

If I chose Shared reader option, is the reader going to be available on the host and guest simultaneously. Although I don't need this.

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bonnie201110141
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USB HID device such as USB dongle or smart card, or keyboard/mouse will not use this ask_connect feature, because we don't want keyboard/mouse to be automatically connected to guest. For USB dongle or smart card reader, maybe we can give user a choice whether to enable this ask_connect feature.

But before proceeding further, let me clarify your request. Here it is:

1. You plug in your USB device to host port

2. You power on a VM. => At this step, you want your device to be automatically connected to the guest, correct?

Yes that is true, I don't think even if we enable ask_connect for USB dongle or smart card reader, it will work for you. It is because the feature only defines the behavior when user plugs in the USB device to host port, not when a VM is powered on. And I  double previous autoconnect can achieve this. Both askconnect and autoconnect define the behavior when a USB device is plugged in.

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sppru
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Yes, correct.

both points No.1 and 2

With version 14 autoconnect was always working like this.

I never disconnect the USB dongle from the Host machine USB port. It is permanently connected there.

When the guest VM was started it automatically always connected the USB dongle to the VM without asking me (probably disconnecting it from the host first, I suppose).

There was an entry in the config file as described in my previous posts.

Thank you.

bonnie201110141
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Ok. I understand your request now. We will discuss about this and see what we can do. Thanks for your feedback!

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sppru
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Thank you,

and I want to point out to this link - Automatically connecting USB devices at virtual machine power on (1648) on VMware Knowledge Base

Just a quote from it

Details  

This article provides steps to configure a particular USB device to automatically connect to a virtual machine while the virtual machine starts.

Solution

This article provides a workaround that lets you automatically connect a USB device if you do not have access to the host that runs the guest operating system, and therefore cannot manually connect the device using the VM > Removable Devices menu. For more information about the preferred way to connect USB devices through the menu, see Connecting USB Devices to Virtual Machine section in the Using VMware Workstation Guide.

I'll wait for your answer

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bonnie201110141
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For the smart card reader or dongle to be able to pop up dialog (i.e. to use ask_connect feature), you need to add below line to C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware USB Arbitration Service\config.ini  (if there is no such file, create it).

usb.quirks.device0 = “0xVID:0xPID allow”

You need to restart host for the change to take effect.

For the issue that when a VM is powered on, the USB device needs to be automatically connected to the VM, we filed an internal bug to track the issue. And the developer is working on it.

Thanks for raising the issue!

crhendo1
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Yes, and for all of us who need to have USB dongles (such as Sentinel etc) attached at boot time OR we are unable to run our Software, this has been a totally illogical change!

So this used to work on Workstation 14 (and every version I can remember before that!) and currently works on ESXi, Hyper-V, Virtual Box, Parallels etc etc

What were you thinking?

Why did I dutifully pay for my V15 upgrade.

Now my only choice is to go back to 14.

Not very happy!

CJ3
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I just am trying out Workstation 15 and it is clear that it doesn't meet our requirements anymore.

I want to connect a USB device automatically to a virtual machine when starting the VM and can't since autoconnect setting in vmx doesn't work anymore. It doesn't even remember the connection status once manually connected if the VM is turned off!

Is that some kind of bad joke? Well that's a massive drawback...

Let's hope VMware get's this fixed ASAP.

oliworc
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Is there any update on this issue of not being able to connect a USB device from boot?

bonnie201110141
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We are actively working on this. Thanks for your patience!

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Weldon314
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Any update on when a fix might be coming?  We are evaluating the product and it has gone far better than we anticipated, accept for the fact we can not route the attached Dictaphones to the correct VM client by default.  While right clicking in the console and directing the mic to the right session might not seem like a lot, we are trying to make it so the Doctor does not even realize thier application is not running on the local host.

Thank you for all of your hard work.

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bonnie201110141
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Is your Dictaphone a USB mic? So you are also configuring autoconnect entry, and you 'd expect the USB device to be automatically connected to the VM? If that is your case, we will definitely get this fixed very soon

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Weldon314
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yes, it is a usb mic and HID keyboard in one device

Nuance Online Store Online Store - Nuance PowerMic™ III

and there are two or three that will need to be plugged in, one for each Medical dication system we are trying to implement inside of Workstation.

Thank you so much for the timely reply

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sppru
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Still no resolution with latest build?

Workstation Pro 15.0.1 Build 10737736

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Weldon314
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I will give it a try as soon as I have a free moment and let you know.

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Zongmin
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Hi sppru and also those who have the same issue,

This issue should have been fixed with Workstation 15.0.1(release notes here: VMware Workstation 15.0.1 Pro Release Notes ). Could you pls upgrade to Workstation15.0.1 and let us know if you still experience this issue?

Thanks,

VMware Workstation team