How to Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu: Step-by-Step Guide

VMWare Tools is a set of utilities that enhance the performance and usability of virtual machines running on VMware products like VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, and VMware vSphere. Installing the VMware Tools on a Ubuntu VM ensures that you get access to better graphics, seamless integrations, and improved network drivers. 

So no matter what device or platform you use, such as Ubuntu Desktop or Ubuntu Server, knowing how to install VMware Tools on Ubuntu enables you to have smooth interactions with the host system. 

In this guide, we will walk through a step by step guide to install VMware Tools on Ubuntu, from prerequisites to troubleshooting tips. 

What Are VMware Tools?   

VMware Tools is a collection of utilities and drivers designed to enhance the performance and functionality of virtual machines running on different VMware platforms. Installing appropriate VMware Tools provide several benefits, such as : 

1. It enables screen resizing, full screen mode, and higher display resolution. 
2. It kills the lagging factors and allows seamless mouse movements between the host and guest OS.
3. Optimized network drivers and disk I/O improve throughput and VM responsiveness. 
4. It keeps the VM sync clock synchronized with the host machine. 
5. It allows seamless file transfers between the host and the guest OS.
6. Supports features, such as graceful shutdowns, suspends, and restart from the VMware management interface. 

Prerequisites for Installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu

Before you install VMware Tools, make sure that your system follows these prerequisites:

1. VMware Product: You need a fully setup VMware environment such as VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, or VMware vSphere running Ubuntu as a guest. 
2. Support Ubuntu versions include Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, and newer LTS releases. 
3. You need proper sudo or root access to install packages and make system level changes. 
4. Installing via Open VM Tools needs an active internet connection. 
5. Essential packages for manual installation,
   sudo apt update

sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) perl

6. VMware Tools ISO or Open VM Tools
   • For manual installation, the VMware Tools ISO must be mounted.
   • For automated installation, Open VM Tools can be installed directly from Ubuntu repositories.

Methods to Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu

There are two basic methods that you can use to install VMware on Ubuntu, which are: 

1. Open VM Tools: this approach is generally recommended. 
2. Manual installation using the VMware Tools ISO.  

Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu via Open VM Tools

Using Open VM Tools to install VMware tools on Ubuntu is the most recommended method. Follow these steps below: 

1. Update package repository by running the following command: sudo apt update
2. Install Open VM Tools according to these operating systems. 

• For Ubuntu Desktop:
  sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop -y
• For Ubuntu Server:
  sudo apt install open-vm-tools -y

3. Then restart the virtual machine by running: sudo reboot
4. Verify installation by running vmtoolsd –version

Open VM Tools provides full support for most features like time synchronization, shared folders, and seamless mouse integration.

Manual Installation of VMware Tools on Ubuntu

You only need manual installation when Open VM tools lack a certain feature that you need. 

1. Mount VMware Tools ISO:

• In VMware Workstation/Fusion, go to:
  VM > Install VMware Tools
• This mounts the ISO to /media/cdrom.

2. Then copy the ISO contents to a temporary directory:

mkdir /tmp/vmtools

cp /media/cdrom/VMwareTools-*.tar.gz /tmp/vmtools/

cd /tmp/vmtools

tar -zxvf VMwareTools-*.tar.gz

3. Then run the VMware Tools installer:

cd vmware-tools-distrib

sudo ./vmware-install.pl

4. Then follow these prompts: 

• Accept all the default options by pressing Enter.
• The installer sets up drivers, services, and configuration files.

5. Then reboot the virtual machine by running sudo reboot

This method provides all the available VMware Tools features, such as proprietary capabilities that are not available in the Open VM Tools. 

Install VMware Tools for Ubuntu Desktop vs Ubuntu Server

Feature	Ubuntu Desktop	Ubuntu Server
Recommended Method	Open VM Tools Desktop (open-vm-tools-desktop)	Open VM Tools (open-vm-tools)
Manual Installation	Only if proprietary features needed	Only if proprietary features needed
GUI Support	Full support (clipboard sharing, drag-and-drop, seamless mouse)	Limited GUI features; primarily improves performance and system services
Installation Command	sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop	sudo apt install open-vm-tools

Troubleshooting VMware Tools Installation on Ubuntu

Sometimes when you install VMware tools on Ubuntu, it might not go as expected. Below are some of the most common issues and how to fix them: 

• Package not found: Make sure that your package lists are updated by running sudo apt update before installing open-vm-tools.
• Shared folders not working: Verify repeatedly by running the open-vm-tools-desktop package is installed for Ubuntu Desktop.
• VMware Tools not running: Check the service status using: systemctl status open-vm-tools.Then restart it using: sudo systemctl restart open-vm-tools
• Kernel module errors: Rebuild kernel modules with sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) before reinstalling VMware Tools.
• Clipboard or drag-and-drop not working: Make sure VMware Workstation/ESXi settings allow these features and that open-vm-tools-desktop is installed.

Uninstall or Reinstall VMware Tools on Ubuntu

If you are no longer working with VMware tools or if it is not working properly anymore, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling can help. 

• Uninstalling Open VM Tools:

sudo apt remove –purge open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop -y

• Reinstalling VMware Tools:

To reinstall the VMware tools, follow these steps: 

1. Update package lists:
   sudo apt update
2. Reinstall:
   sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop -y

If you are more comfortable with the manual installation, run the vmware-uninstall-tools.pl script located in /usr/bin/ to fully delete VMware Tools, then reinstall using the ISO method. 

Conclusion – Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu

Installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu is crucial to enhance the performance and functionality of your virtual machines. So no matter what option you choose, ensure that you properly set it up to enable smooth integration with the VMware environment. 

Do I need VMware Tools on Ubuntu Server?

Yes. While servers don’t require GUI features like drag-and-drop, VMware Tools provides essential optimizations such as better networking, storage handling, and time synchronization.

FAQs