====== Ubuntu - Virtual Machine - Install VMware Tools ======

The VMware Tools package adds drivers and utilities to improve the graphical performance for different guest operating systems, including mouse tracking.

The package also enables some integration between the guest and host systems, including shared folders, plug-and-play devices, clock synchronisation, and cutting-and-pasting across environments.

<WRAP tip>
Please note that VMware recommends using open-vm-tools instead of VMware tools as outlined in this [[https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2073803|article]]. 

The benefits of using open-vm-tools include improved stability as the package is optimized for each distribution, automatic updates smaller footprint.

See [[Ubuntu:Virtual Machine:Install Open Virtual Machine Tools (open-vm-tools)|Install Open Virtual Machine Tools (open-vm-tools)]]
</WRAP>

----

===== Install kernel headers and tools required to compile and install VMware tools =====

<code bash>
sudo apt install binutils cpp gcc make psmisc linux-headers-$(uname -r)
</code>

----

===== Mount the cdrom drive inside the guest server =====

Make sure you have mounted the VMware tools virtual cd from the host before moving on.

<code bash>
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt
</code>

----

===== Extract VMware tools to the tmp directory =====

<code bash>
sudo tar -C /tmp -zxvf /mnt/VMwareTools-x.x.x-x.tar.gz
</code>

The filename depends on the VMware host version.

----

===== Unmount the virtual cd =====

We have already extracted the files to a temporary locations and the virtual disk isn’t needed anymore.

<code bash>
sudo umount /mnt
</code>

----

===== Start the installation =====

<code bash>
sudo /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl
</code>

Accept the defaults for every question.

----

===== Reboot your server =====

<code bash>
sudo reboot
</code>

VMware tools is now installed and configured.