Installing and upgrading VMware Tools on Windows VMs

Installing and upgrading VMware Tools on Windows VMs

Overview

VMware Tools provides many drivers specific to running your VM operating system. Among others, VMware Tools provides the video driver that allows you to control your VM mouse cursor and the networking drivers required for VM network connectivity.

If you are having issues with the mouse cursor or connecting to the VM, make sure you are using the Skytap-supported version of VMware Tools. Newer versions of VMware Tools may not work with Skytap VMs.

Skytap supports VMware Tools version 9.4.10 build 2092844. This version is available as an .ISO in the public assets library.

Checking the VMware Tools version

To check which version of VMware Tools is installed on a Windows VM

  1. Locate the VMware Tools icon in the System Tray. If this icon has a yellow warning label, the VMware Tools installation is out of date.
  2. To check which version is installed, right-click the VMware Tools icon and select Open VMware Tools. Click the Abouttab to see information about the currently installed version.Toolbox-win.png

Updating VMware Tools

To update your version of VMware Tools

  1. In the system tray, right-click the VMware Tools icon and select Open VMware Tools.
  2. From the Options tab, click Update Tools.update-tools-button.png

Installing VMware Tools

  1. Before editing the VM, create a template of it. Should any issues arise, you can restore your VM from this template.
  2. Navigate to the environment details page for the environment that contains the VM you want to update. Make sure that the VM is powered on and that you are logged in.
  3. On the tile for the VM you want to update, click Load ISO (Load ISO).
  4. Click All.
  5. Select the ISO to install VMware Tools for WindowsInsert-iso.png
  6. Click (Load ISO).
  7. If the installer doesn’t auto-load in your VM, navigate to Computer and double-click the CD-ROM to start the installer.

    If you don’t have mouse control in the VM, use the Tab, Spacebar, Enter, and arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the UI.

    Start-installer.png

  8. Follow the instructions for a complete install.Complete-install.png
  9. Once installation is complete, reboot the VM.Restart.png
  10. After the VM reboots, check for video driver updates.
    ClosedExample: Checking the video driver in Windows 7

Uninstalling VMware Tools

  1. Click Start > Control Panel.
    • If viewing by Category, select Uninstall a Program.
    • If viewing by Icons, select Programs and Features.
  2. From the Programs and Features window, select VMware Tools and then click Uninstall.Uninstall.png

After you uninstall VMware Tools and reboot the machine, you must reinstall VMware Tools to restore mouse control.

Troubleshooting “Setup can’t continue because a later version of this product is already installed” error

The most common error when you update VMware Tools is Setup cannot continue because a later version of this product is already installed.

This error usually occurs when a VM is imported to Skytap. To resolve this error:

  1. Uninstall the newer version of VMware Tools (see Uninstalling VMware Tools).
  2. Install the Skytap recommended version (see Installing VMware Tools).