Automatically Connecting a Device When the Virtual Machine Powers On

By default, VMware ESX Server automatically connects to most configured devices when the virtual machine powers on.

You can change this automated behavior. You can make these changes through the VMware Management Interface.

Select File > Open and open the virtual machine configuration file (.cfg) you want to modify.
Select Settings > Configuration Editor from the remote console.
From the list of devices on the Hardware tab, select the device you want to modify.
On the right hand side of the Hardware tab, deselect the Connect at power on option.
Click OK.

Note: If you disable this option, you need to enable access to the device manually. To do so, select the device from the Devices menu in the virtual machine.