Windows 10 on Windows 8.1 Host and Vmware - USB problem

jimbo45

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Hi there

Windows 10 build 9879 with the latest updates running as a VM on Windows 8.1 host using VMware workstation 11 or vmplayer 7 won't attach USB devices - only USB devices connected at power on seem to be recognised.

I upgraded a W8.1 system to W10 but I'll try later with a brand new install --- I don't expect any change though.

I've also tried both WITH and WITHOUT the 3D / hardware acceleration checkbox enabled --no difference.

Windows 8.1 runs fine as a VM on W7 host if you are coming from W7. Same problem though if you run W10 from a W7 host.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Don't you think a VMware forum would be more appropriate? It is a problem with their software.

A hypervisor normally tries to grab your device when it is introduced (from Windows host in your case, OSX in mine) and then offer it to the guest (10 in both cases). USB2 works for me but not USB3. In my case I use virtualbox and it doesn't support USB3. I know this because I asked the developers. This is a problem with the VM software (one end or the other) not Windows. Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 installed on real hardware all recognise USB 2 and 3. And USB 1 works on Windows XP for all I know if such devices still exist.

Hardware acceleration has nothing to do with connecting USB devices BTW. It is for graphics and normally (ime) makes things worse.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hi there

True - but also by posting it here I can advise other people if they want to try creating / running VM's of windows 8.1 / windows 10 that they could encounter the problem.

I know a LOT of people are currently testing W8 / W10 in VM's as they decide whether or not to change from W7.

I certainly would have been glad of some of this info too.

As for the graphics and hardware acceleration -- this is all included in the special vmware drivers so these things have been known to interfere with other hardware when running a VM -- often in any large project a seemingly "unrelated" fact DOES cause problems with other items in the project !!!! -- I've seen this time and again in large engineering projects too -- and it's a devil's own job to even begin to attempt to explain to a non technical manager why function A causes a problem with Function B when the two seem totally unrelated or independant.

Sometimes the cause is never found - a work around is usually devised.
Cheers
jimbo
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Interesting findings.

If you ask for support at this time the generic answer you'll get is usually:
It's a test build.
Windows 10 isn't (fully) supported by the vm tools yet.

We should expect other anomalies as well.
In my case for VirtualBox, the graphics is all messed up so I didn't dare test the usb yet.

Still, VMware works pretty good considering the use of W10 9879.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
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