Recently we showed you how to install VMware Workstation 11 software on Ubuntu, and this brief tutorial is going to show you how to install VMware Tools in the Ubuntu guest operating system.
It is very important that you install VMware Tools in the guest operating system. The VMware Tools package provides support required for shared folders, for drag and drop operations, and supports significantly faster graphics performance.
Other support and enhancement included with this tool is to sync the guest OS time with that of the host, automatic grabbing and releasing of the mouse cursor, copying and pasting between the guest OS and host and to improve overall performance of the guest operating system.
So, after installing a guest OS using VMware Workstation, the first thing to do is to install VMware Tools on the guest. Installing the tool on a Windows guest machine is pretty easy. Just like installing any application in Windows, it’s all pointing and clicking.
On Ubuntu and other Linux operating systems, there are other steps involved. For Ubuntu it’s not as difficult but challenging for new users.
- Installing VMware Tools On Ubuntu Guest Machine
To install the guest OS tool, go to VM –> Install VMware Tools… from the VMware Workstation menu. VMware Workstation temporarily connects the virtual machine’s first CD-ROM drive to load the ISO image file.
Next, open the terminal console on the guest machine and run the commands below to extract the file to the /tmp directory.
tar -xvf /media/$USER/"VMware Tools"/VMwareTools*.gz -C /tmp
Next, run the commands below to begin the installation.
sudo /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl
Type your password and continue with the prompts on the screen below:
In which directory do you want to install the binary files?
[/usr/bin] Press EnterWhat is the directory that contains the init directories (rc0.d/ to rc6.d/)?
[/etc] Press EnterWhat is the directory that contains the init scripts?
[/etc/init.d] Press EnterIn which directory do you want to install the daemon files?
[/usr/sbin] Press EnterIn which directory do you want to install the binary library files?
[/usr/lib/vmware-tools]The path “/usr/lib/vmware-tools” does not exist currently. This program is going to create it, including needed parent directories. It this what you want?
[yes] Press EnterIn which directory do you want to install the documentation files?
[/usr/share/doc/vmware-tools] Press EnterThe path “/usr/share/doc/vmware-tools” does not exist currently. This program is going to create it, including needed parent directories. Is that what you want?
[yes] Press EnterBefore running VMware Tools for the first time, you need to configure it by invoking the following command: “/usr/bin/vmware-config-tools.pl”. Do you want this program to invoke the command for yo now? [yes]
The VMware Host-Guest Filesystem allows for shared folders between the host OS and the guest OS in the Fusion or Workstation virtual environment. Do you wish to enable the feature? [yes] Press Enter
Searching for GCC…
Detected GCC binary at */usr/bin/gcc”.
The path “/usr/bin/gcc” appears to he a valid path to the gcc binary. Would you like to change it? [no] Press EnterThe path xxxxxxx appears to be a valid path to the xxxxxxx kernel hearder.
Would you like to change it? [no] Press EnterThe vmblock enables dragging and copying files between host and guest in a Fusion or Workstation virtual environment. Do you wish to enable this feature?
[yes] Press EnterWould you like to enable VMware automatic kernel modules?
[no] Press EnterThinprint provides driver-free printing. Do you wish to enable this feature?
[yes] Press EnterDo you want to enable Guest Authentication (vgauth)? [yes] Press Enter
After you’re done with the prompts above, the VMware Tools packages should be installed. You can then un-mount the virutal CD-ROM and restart the guest machine.
After restarting the guest OS, it should enjoy all the benefits listed above like shared folders, improved performance and host integration.
That’s it! Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to install VMware Tools on Ubuntu guest OS?
To install VMware Tools on Ubuntu guest OS, go to VM -> Install VMware Tools from the VMware Workstation menu, then open the terminal console on the guest machine to extract and install the tool.
What is the importance of installing VMware Tools in a guest operating system?
Installing VMware Tools is important as it provides support for shared folders, drag and drop operations, faster graphics performance, time synchronization with host, mouse cursor integration, and overall performance improvements.
What are the benefits of installing VMware Tools in Ubuntu guest OS?
Benefits of installing VMware Tools in Ubuntu guest OS include improved graphics performance, easier file sharing between guest and host, synchronized time settings, seamless mouse integration, and overall enhanced system performance.
Can VMware Tools be installed on Windows guest machines?
Yes, installing VMware Tools on Windows guest machines is straightforward, similar to installing any other application in Windows - just point and click.
What are the challenges faced when installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu?
Installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu involves additional steps compared to Windows but is not overly difficult. It may pose challenges for new users unfamiliar with the process.
How can the VMware Tools installation process be initiated on Ubuntu guest machines?
To initiate the VMware Tools installation on Ubuntu guest machines, go to VM -> Install VMware Tools from the VMware Workstation menu, and follow the subsequent steps in the terminal to extract and install the tool.
What commands need to be run to extract VMware Tools files on Ubuntu guest OS?
To extract VMware Tools files on Ubuntu guest OS, run the 'tar -xvf /media/$USER/"VMware Tools"/VMwareTools*.gz -C /tmp' command in the terminal console.
What is the next step after extracting VMware Tools files on Ubuntu guest OS?
After extracting VMware Tools files on Ubuntu guest OS, run the 'sudo /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl' command in the terminal to begin the installation process.