Some USB Devices do not show Forget Connection Rule menu option

[varnk]

This is occurring on VMWare Workstation 16.

I have a USB device that I had selected to automatically connect to my VM.  However, now I want to remove that connection rule.  Normally this would be done by selecting the removable devices menu option for the USB device, then selecting Forget Connection Rule.  However, my USB device does not have the Forget Connection Rule menu item listed even though it has a connection rule.  

So, I have two questions...

1. Why doesn't my USB device show the Forget Connection Rule menu item?
2. How do I change/remove the Connection Rule for the USB device?

[Weldon314]

I to am having this error in workstation pro 16.2.1

[NewmanOZ]

I experience the same issue under WorkStation 15.5. For some USB devices in the list, the "Forget Connection Rule" option is not shown, even though a connection rule is in place for that device. In my case, the rule is "Always connect to host". I would like to change this rule to "Always connect to VM" however I have no way to do it.

[nomprenom2]

I have the same problem too.

I reset the preferences.ini files (in %appdata%) but it didn't help

In the VMWARE logs inside the VM I saw this:

Device showing the choice (host/guest) and the menu

Found device [name:Telit\ Wireless\ LE910C1-EU vid:1bc7 pid:1201
path:1/0/0/0/3 speed:high family:vendor virtPath:ehci:0 instanceId:USB\\VID_0E0F&PID_0001\\3FE8F915 
serialnum:3FE8F915 arbRuntimeKey:24 ownerdisplay:erwanei-vm-dt ownertarget:vmware-vmx:C:\\Essence_SC\\Linux\\Debian\ 10.x\ 64-bit.vmx version:4], connected to ehci port 0.

Device which is not giving the options:

Found device [name:Quectel\ Wireless\ HighSpeed\ USB\ Composite\ Device vid:2c7c pid:0121
path:1/0/0/0/1 speed:high family:vendor,comm instanceId:USB\\VID_2C7C&PID_0121\\7&371041BB&0&2 arbRuntimeKey:23 version:4]
2022-08-24T14:56:08.490Z In(05) vmx USB:

Maybe VMWARE workstation not able to build a "serialnum" string for the 2nd device.??

Because of this it can't apply specific settings for this device.?

[NewmanOZ]

I experience the same issue on VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.7. I have a USB compiler dongle that does not have the option to "Forget connection rule". Every time I start the VM I have to manually connect the dongle to the VM. Very annoying and I wish there was a work-around or a fix.

The only options shown on the menu for that specific removable device are:

• Connect (Disconnect from host)
• Change Icon...
• Show Icon

[b3hr3ns]

I have same issue. Also deleted usbarb.rules and config.ini from programData, they were regenerated automatically and option still does not popup for my devices. I should have not clicked the "Do not ask me again" option!  

The usb device was initially connected to another VM, and now I want it to automatically connect to a different one. I did attempt to edit the usbarb.rules before deleting, no apparent change after restarting VM, usb arbitration service, or entire computer. 

windows10enterprise

vmware 16.2.5 

EDIT:  found preferences.ini in C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Roaming\VMware\

changed hint.usb.hcAutoConnect = "FALSE" to "TRUE"

changed hint.vmui.showNewUSBDevs = "FALSE" to "TRUE"

restarted vmware and services, and was prompted again to connect removable devices, will use "Do not show this hint again" sparingly next time.