I'm using Workstation 10.0.7 build-2844087 on a Windows 7 x64 host. Occasionally the USB devices section will disappear on the Removable Devices menu in the Workstation software in the host. This almost always happens the same way:
- Host: I physically reconnect a device that I had physically disconnected earlier and was used by the guest.
- Guest: I see that the device does not appear, so I go to Workstation Removable Devices menu and I see the device is checked (meaning it should appear in the guest).
- Host: I select the device in the menu anyway in an attempt to toggle it.
- Host: I reopen the Workstation Removable Devices menu and poof all USB devices are no longer listed.
Some ways I've tried to work around this issue that haven't worked:
- Host: Restarting the VMWare USB arbitration service
- Host: Closing and reopening Workstation while leaving the VM running.
- Guest: Restarting VMWare tools service and VMWare tools user mode.
The only workaround I have is to suspend the guest and then resume it which takes a lot of time and slows things down considerably.