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To install VMware Tools, start the Windows 10 or Windows 11 virtual machine, sign in as an administrator, then use the Install VMware Tools command in VMware Fusion or Workstation, or the guest OS action in vSphere. VMware mounts the installer as a virtual CD/DVD inside Windows; run setup.exe from that drive if the setup wizard does not open automatically, and restart if prompted.
Before you begin
- Power on the Windows virtual machine and sign in with an account that has administrator privileges.
- Identify the VMware product hosting the VM: Fusion, Workstation, or vSphere. The command and menu wording differ by product and client version.
- Wait until the Windows desktop has loaded before starting the install.
VMware Tools is installed inside the guest operating system. The VMware product mounts its installer ISO as a virtual CD/DVD drive, so this procedure does not require physical media. VMware describes Tools as a suite of utilities that enhances guest operating system performance and improves virtual machine management (Broadcom Knowledge Base).
Install VMware Tools
VMware Fusion
- With the Windows VM running, select Virtual Machine > Install VMware Tools from the Fusion menu.
- If Windows opens the setup wizard, follow its prompts. The Fusion instructions recommend choosing Complete unless you specifically want to leave out features.
- If the wizard does not appear, open File Explorer, select This PC, then open the VMware Tools CD/DVD drive and run
setup.exe. - Restart Windows if setup prompts you to do so.
Some Fusion VMs created with Easy Install have VMware Tools installed automatically during their first successful boot. If Tools is not installed, use the manual steps above (Fusion overview).
VMware Workstation
- With the Windows VM running, open the VM menu and choose the VMware Tools install command.
- Wait for Workstation to mount the installer in Windows. If the wizard does not start, open This PC in File Explorer, open the mounted VMware Tools CD/DVD drive, and run
setup.exe. - Complete the Windows setup prompts and restart if requested.
The exact menu label can vary by Workstation release. If it differs from this description, consult the documentation for your installed version. VMware’s general installation instructions describe mounting the Tools installer ISO from the product interface (Broadcom Knowledge Base).
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VMware vSphere
- In the vSphere client, select the running Windows VM and use its guest operating system action to install VMware Tools. The wording and location vary by client interface.
- Wait for the virtual CD/DVD drive to appear in Windows. If autorun is disabled or the wizard does not appear, open the mounted drive in File Explorer and run
setup.exe. - Follow the installer prompts and restart Windows if prompted.
Broadcom’s vSphere instructions refer to D:setup.exe when autorun is disabled, with D: as the first virtual CD-ROM drive. Your virtual CD/DVD drive may use a different letter, so check the drive shown in File Explorer rather than assuming it is D: (Broadcom Knowledge Base, updated June 29, 2026).
If the VMware Tools installer does not start
- No setup wizard appears: Open File Explorer, select This PC, and open the mounted VMware Tools CD/DVD drive. Run
setup.exefrom its contents. - No VMware Tools CD/DVD drive appears: Return to the VMware product interface and issue the install command again while the VM is powered on. The product should mount the virtual installer in the guest.
- The command or menu is missing: Confirm you are using the interface for the product that hosts the VM—Fusion, Workstation, or vSphere. Labels and paths vary across products and releases; consult the documentation for your version if the described path is different.
Check whether VMware Tools is installed
In Windows, open Control Panel > Programs and Features and look for VMware Tools in the installed-program list. In vSphere, use the VM’s available guest-tools status to check its reported state. VMware’s vSphere guidance includes product-side status and installation actions, though the exact interface wording depends on the client (Broadcom Knowledge Base).
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Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
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