Sharing Printer with Host and VM

[Tortilla guy]

I am running Windows 7 on High Sierra Mac OSX with the latest Virtual Box and Guest Additions.

VB and Windows 7 can print fine but when I close VB my Mac OSX programs cannot print. I get a "communication error" or "printer not connected". I practically have to reboot in order for the host to be able to print.

Basically, I don't know how to proper share the USB port connected to the printer I am trying to print to. It's like VB takes over the port and won't share or let go once I exit/close the program.

[socratis]

I don't know how to proper share the USB port connected to the printer

You can't. USB is not shareable, period.

It's like VB takes over the port and won't share or let go once I exit/close the program.

The first part is true (see above). The second part isn't. Can you make sure that nothing is running (Activity monitor) that doesn't start with Virtual*, vbox* or vm*? Make sure that all processes are shown.

Generally speaking, don't try to share a printer using USB. Try to use networking. If you have the default NAT, add a 2nd network card for your guest, a Host-Only mode one. Then share the printer from your OSX and Windows will see it. InternetSearching could be a valuable asset...