Installing and Configuring

Installing and Upgrading VMware
Tools 2
Installing VMware Tools is part of the process of creating a new virtual machine, and upgrading VMware
Tools is part of the process of keeping your virtual machine up to current standards.
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.
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The version of VMware Tools included in vSphere 5.0 is supported on vSphere 4.x and 5.0 virtual
machines. That is, you can also use this new version of VMware Tools in virtual machines on ESX/ESXi
4.x hosts.
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Virtual machines in a vSphere 5.0 environment support the versions of VMware Tools included in vSphere
4.0-5.0. That is, you are not strictly required to upgrade VMware Tools if VMware Tools was installed
from an ESX/ESXi 4.x host.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Installing VMware Tools,” on page 11
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“Upgrading VMware Tools,” on page 12
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a Windows Virtual Machine,” on page 13
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“Automate the Installation of VMware Tools in a Windows Virtual Machine,” on page 14
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a Linux Virtual Machine,” on page 18
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a Solaris Virtual Machine,” on page 20
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a FreeBSD Virtual Machine,” on page 22
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a NetWare Virtual Machine,” on page 23
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“Manually Install or Upgrade VMware Tools in a Mac OS X Virtual Machine,” on page 24
Installing VMware Tools
VMware Tools is a suite of utilities that enhances the performance of the virtual machine’s guest operating
system and improves management of the virtual machine.
Although the guest operating system can run without VMware Tools, many VMware features are not available
until you install VMware Tools. For example, if you do not have VMware Tools installed in your virtual
machine, you cannot use the shutdown or restart options from the toolbar. You can use only the power options.
If you are using VMware Fusion, Player, or Workstation, you can use the Windows Easy Install or Linux Easy
Install feature to install VMware Tools as soon as the operating system is finished installing.
VMware, Inc.
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