5.0

For Windows and Linux guest operating systems, you can configure the virtual machine to automatically
upgrade VMware Tools. Although the version check is performed when you power on the virtual machine,
on Windows guest operating systems, the automatic upgrade occurs when you power off or restart the virtual
machine. The status bar displays the message Installing VMware Tools ... when an upgrade is in progress.
IMPORTANT When you upgrade VMware Tools on Linux guest operating systems, new network modules are
available but are not used until you either reboot the guest operating system or stop networking, unload and
re-load the VMware networking kernel modules, and then restart networking. This behavior means that even
if VMware Tools is set to automatically upgrade, you must reboot or re-load network modules to make new
features available.
This strategy avoids network interruptions and allows you to work with VMware Tools over SSH.
For best performance and the latest updates, install or upgrade VMware Tools to the VMware Tools version
that is included with the VMware product you are using. Other compatibility options are also available.
Configure Software Update Preferences
You can configure Player to automatically download software updates, including new versions of VMware
Tools. When you select automatic software updates, Player always includes the latest support for guest
operating systems and virtual machines always have the latest version of VMware Tools.
Procedure
1 Select Player > File > Player Preferences.
2 Select when Player checks for software updates.
You can select one, both, or neither option. If you deselect all of the software update options, automatic
software updates are disabled.
Option Description
Check for product updates on
startup
Checks for new versions of Player available to download and install when
you start Player. This option is enabled by default. If you do not select this
option, your system does not get the latest product updates.
Check for software components as
needed
When a software component is required, for example, when you install
VMware Tools, Player checks for a new version of the component.
Download All Components Now
Immediately download all of the available software components to the host
system. This option is useful if you are planning to use the virtual machine
at a later time when you do not have access to the Internet.
3 If you use a proxy server to connect to the VMware Update Server, click Connection Settings to configure
the proxy settings.
Option Description
No proxy
Select this option if you do not use a proxy server. This is the default setting.
Windows proxy settings
(Windows hosts only) Player uses the host proxy settings from the
Connections tab in the Internet Options control panel to access the VMware
Update Server.
a Click Internet Options to set the guest connection options.
b Type a user name and password to use for proxy server authentication.
If you leave either the Username or the Password text box blank, Player does
not use either value.
Chapter 3 Creating Virtual Machines
VMware, Inc. 25