VMware Workstation USB Issues

So i’m using VMware Workstation 7.1 to run Ubuntu under my standard Windows 7 desktop.  I’m trying to build ChromeOS to play around with, and i can’t get my USB stick to be seen on my VM.

As it turns out the VMware USB Arbitration Service on my host isn’t started, and in fact wont start.  Turns out there is some USB filter driver causing the issue.  I’m willing to bet it’s part of the driver for my new USB 3.0 Motherboard.

Anyway here is the simple fix.

Shut down Workstation.

Open the registry (Start > Run > regedit).

Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServiceshcmon.

Create a new key called Parameters.

In Parameters, create a new DWORD value entry named DisableDriverCheck, and then set the value to 1.

This works great and i can now pass USB to my VM.

Enjoy