Table of Contents

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.

Please note that VMware recommends using open-vm-tools instead of VMware tools as outlined in this article.

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

See Install Open Virtual Machine Tools (open-vm-tools)


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

sudo apt install binutils cpp gcc make psmisc linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Mount the cdrom drive inside the guest server

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

sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt

Extract VMware tools to the tmp directory

sudo tar -C /tmp -zxvf /mnt/VMwareTools-x.x.x-x.tar.gz

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.

sudo umount /mnt

Start the installation

sudo /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl

Accept the defaults for every question.


Reboot your server

sudo reboot

VMware tools is now installed and configured.