VMware Fusion on Macintosh - can't eject CD DVD from Mac when VMware is running

Question

When VMWare is running on my Macintosh, CDs/DVDs that I have in the optical drive don't appear on my desktop, and I'm not able to eject them. How can I eject the disks?

Answer

When the virtual machine is set to connect to the CD/DVD drive, it will control the drive. To control the drive from the Macintosh, disconnect VMWare from the CD/DVD drive. Follow the menu path Virtual Machine >> CD/DVD >> Disconnect CD/DVD.

To reconnect VMware to the optical drive, follow the menu path Virtual Machine >> CD/DVD >> Connect CD/DVD.