Can't use USB devices in host if VB is running

[Corvin]

Hello,

I have this problem - I had VB running and inserted a pen drive, Windows has prompted me to install "VirtualBox USB" device driver. I installed it and my pen drive doesn't appear among removable media list. I didn't even load a virtual machine (which is powered off, actually and has USB support disabled). If I close VB, my pen drive is detected without problems and I can access the storage. Can I use USB devices at all in host OS if VB is running?

[Perryg]

If you have a problem with Windows taking back the focus of the USB device, instead of shutting down VBox try unplugging the device and plug it back in so Windows will take the focus back. A reboot of the system should also return the device to Windows.

[Corvin]

If you have a problem with Windows taking back the focus of the USB device, instead of shutting down VBox try unplugging the device and plug it back in so Windows will take the focus back. A reboot of the system should also return the device to Windows.

I have another problem. Windows (host) doesn't take the focus of USB device at all if virtualbox software is running. Any USB device is detected as VirtualBox USB and is not usable by windows. I don't have to load any virtual machines, the VB manager running is enough.

Re-plugging device doesn't work either. My mass-storage device is simply always detected as virtualbox USB and is not usable.

[Perryg]

Very unusual.
Try to reinstall VBox by right clicking on the install icon and tell it to run as Admin. Then select repair to see if it is a driver install problem. Be sure to reboot after the repair.

[Corvin]

Very unusual.
Try to reinstall VBox by right clicking on the install icon and tell it to run as Admin. Then select repair to see if it is a driver install problem. Be sure to reboot after the repair.

I'll try that, thanks.

[Corvin]

Very unusual.
Try to reinstall VBox by right clicking on the install icon and tell it to run as Admin. Then select repair to see if it is a driver install problem. Be sure to reboot after the repair.

I have tried to reinstall it several times with different flavors, to no avail. Any mass storage device is detected as VirtualBox USB and is unusable by host Windows system
I installed VB without USB support and it helped, but, naturally, I can't use mass storage drives in a virtual machine. I guess, I'll have to switch back to VMWare for now

[Corvin]

Maybe I should open a trac ticket about this issue? How do gain permissions for that?