External hdd comes up as "VMware USB Device", can't access in Explore

[sevha]

External hdd comes up as "VMware USB Device", can't access in Explore

Hello, lately my external hdd comes up as "VMware USB Device" when I plug it in, and the drive doesn't show up in Windows Explorer like it used to. I've connected it to another computer and I can access it fine... what needs to be done for me to use this drive again? Thanks

 

[Lemur]

Are you using VMWare? You can designate usb devices as virtual.

** EDIT **

http://www.vmware.com/support/ws45/doc/devices_usb_ws.html#1006716

 

[sevha]

There is VMware workstation in my taskbar, but it says "No virtual machines running". When I open it and try to access VM > Settings like that website says, I can't, because the whole VM column is greyed out.

 

[Lemur]

What if you uninstall VMWare, connect your usb drive, then reinstall VMWare?

 

[FliGi7]

Sounds like your VM is set to utilize your USB ports rather than leaving them to the OS. Exit out of VM in the taskbar and try again.