How to Install Open-VM Tools on Ubuntu 24.04
Open-VM Tools is the open-source version of VMware Tools. It is a set of guest drivers and background services for Ubuntu 24.04 that let a virtual machine (VM) work properly with its VMware host. Once it is installed you get clipboard sharing between the host and the VM, clock synchronization, better memory management, smoother mouse movement and screen resizing.
The setup takes only a few terminal commands. Before you start, check three things:
- The VM is running Ubuntu 24.04 on a VMware product such as Workstation, Player, Fusion or ESXi.
- Your user account can use sudo.
- The VM has internet access, so it can download packages from the Ubuntu repositories.
Which package you need depends on how the VM is used. A VM with a graphical desktop needs the desktop package. A text-only server VM needs the server package. Both methods are below.
To install open-vm-tools on Ubuntu 24.04, run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade, then sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop for a VM with a graphical desktop, or sudo apt install open-vm-tools for a text-only server VM. Restart the VM afterward so clipboard sharing and screen resizing start working.
Install Open-VM Tools for Desktop VMs
A VM with a graphical desktop needs the dedicated desktop package for full feature support. The desktop package adds the pieces that only matter with a GUI, such as copy and paste between host and guest and automatic resizing of the guest screen when you resize the VMware window. The base Open-VM Tools package alone does not cover these.
If so, the command below will say the package is already installed, and you can move on to the restart step.
Open a terminal in the VM and execute the following command:
Enter your password when asked. Nothing shows on screen while you type it, which is normal. If apt asks for confirmation, answer yes.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop
You should see apt list the packages it will install, then download and unpack them. When the prompt returns without an error, the installation is done.
Clipboard sharing and automatic screen resizing often do not work until the VM has been restarted.
Install Open-VM Tools for Server VMs
To install Open-VM Tools on a server virtual machine, update your system package list and run the primary apt install command in your terminal. This sets up the essential drivers and background services that help the VM run smoothly on VMware. That includes better mouse movement, screen resizing and folder sharing between the host machine and your guest operating system.
A server VM has no desktop, so you do not need the desktop package. The core package covers what a headless machine needs, including clock synchronization and clean shutdown and restart from the VMware console.
Update package lists and install the core server package with this command:
The package list update makes sure apt fetches the current version rather than an outdated one. If the install step fails with a "package not found" message, the update did not finish. Check the VM's network connection and run it again.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade sudo apt install open-vm-tools
Core server packages deploy immediately with this routine. You should see apt unpack and set up the packages, and the services start without any extra configuration.
Development builds require a different package variant. Most server VMs do not need it. It is only for people who build software against the Open-VM Tools libraries. If that is you, run this command instead:
Run this in addition to the core package, not as a replacement for it. If you only want a working VM, skip it.
sudo apt install open-vm-tools-dev
Reboot the system to apply the newly installed modules. After the reboot, the VMware host can read the guest's status and control its power state properly.
Verify the active package version by running this query. Look at the Installed and Candidate lines for each package. A version number next to Installed means the package is in place. If it says (none), that package is not installed, so go back and repeat the install step.
apt-cache policy open-vm-tools*
Configuration finishes here. If a feature such as clipboard sharing or shared folders still does not work, check that the VM has been restarted. Also check that the feature is enabled in the VM settings on the VMware host, because host-side settings can turn these features off even when the guest is set up correctly.
Conclusion:
- Installing Open-VM Tools on Ubuntu 24.04 is essential for optimizing the performance and functionality of virtual machines in VMware environments.
- Depending on whether you are running a desktop or server VM, you can choose to install the Open-VM Tools desktop package or the Open-VM Tools server package, respectively.
- Additionally, for those interested in the development version, there is an option to install the open-vm-tools-dev package.
- After installation, reboot the VM to apply the changes and validate the version installed using the apt-cache policy open-vm-tools* command.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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