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USB

Choose USB devices from your Mac that are connected to the virtual machine before it boots (macOS 27 Golden Gate or later). The VM can then start from a USB disk or install an operating system onto one. It works for macOS, Linux, and Windows VMs.

📸 Screenshot: USB Section

Fields

Field Description
Device list Every USB device plugged into your Mac, with a checkbox. Check a device to connect it each time the VM starts.
Details The device's vendor and product ID (VVVV:PPPP) and its serial number, when it has one. VirtualProg finds the device again by these, even on a different USB port.
Not plugged in A checked device that isn't plugged in now. It stays in the list, so the choice is kept for the next time you plug it in.
Connect as (Windows, USB disks) USB Device (default) passes the disk through as a USB device. SATA Disk shows it to Windows as an internal SATA disk, so Windows Setup can install onto it.

Usage Notes

  • USB Passthrough must be on in Settings → Advanced. When it is off, the tab shows a warning and no devices are connected.
  • Devices are connected when the VM starts from a shutdown. On resume, macOS and Linux VMs don't reconnect them; attach them with the USB Devices toolbar button. Windows VMs reconnect the devices they had when suspended.
  • A device that isn't plugged in, or that another VM is already using, is skipped and the VM starts without it. The VM log says which devices were connected.
  • While the VM runs, your Mac can't use a connected device. It goes back to the Mac when the VM shuts down, or when you disconnect it with the USB Devices toolbar button.
  • Linux: you can install onto a USB disk and start the VM from it.
  • macOS: the VM starts from its own disk, but you can install macOS onto a connected USB disk as well, as on a Mac: run the macOS installer in the VM and choose the USB disk. The VM's main macOS stays on its own disk. Other USB devices work too.
  • Windows: Windows Setup can't install onto a disk connected as a USB device. Choose Connect as → SATA Disk to install Windows on a USB disk and start from it; Windows sees it as VirtualProg SATA Disk. A SATA disk stays connected until the VM shuts down: it isn't in the USB Devices menu, and the VM can't be suspended. Installing erases the disk.
  • A SATA disk is slower than a disk image: expect roughly the USB drive's own speed. A few USB 3 drives speak only UAS and can't be used as a SATA disk; the VM then doesn't start, and the VM log says why.
  • Templates have a USB tab too: every VM created from the template gets its devices. Only one running VM can use a device at a time; another VM starts without it. A snapshot shows its devices read only.
  • You can also choose the devices from the web dashboard (VM configuration → USB), the iOS and Android apps (Configuration → USB), and the command line (vpvm config usb). There, a change is saved at once, and the VM must be shut down. On the command line, --connect-as sata chooses SATA Disk.