How to Install VMware Guest Tools on Ubuntu Linux
You install VMware Guest Tools on Ubuntu Linux to enhance your virtual machine’s performance and enable features like seamless mouse integration and shared clipboard functionality.
VMware Guest Tools are essential utilities designed to optimize the interaction between your Ubuntu operating system and the VMware hypervisor. Installing them ensures your virtual machine runs more efficiently and unlocks advanced features. For Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, these are typically provided as Open VM Tools.
Without these tools, you might face issues like laggy mouse movements, suboptimal display resolutions, and difficulties transferring files between your host and guest systems. Once installed, you’ll enjoy a much smoother and more integrated user experience, allowing you to copy-paste text and resize your VM window effortlessly.
Install Open VM Tools using the Ubuntu terminal. For desktop environments, run ‘sudo apt update’ followed by ‘sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop’. For servers, use ‘sudo apt install open-vm-tools’. Reboot your system after installation.
How to install the Open VM Tools on Ubuntu guest machines
As mentioned above, Open VM Tools is the open-source implementation of VMware guest tools. The packages are available in Ubuntu default repositories.
The tools are split into two packages: open-VM-tools for headless systems and open-vm-tools-desktop for desktop systems.
To install the open-source version, run the command below:
Servers:
sudo apt update sudo apt install open-vm-tools
Desktops:
sudo apt update sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop
After installation, it’s a good idea to restart your machine so the changes take effect.
How to install VMware Guest Tools from VMware Host
You can also install the tools from your VMware host software. For desktop machines, this might be a better option.
To install, open the VMware host software. Start the guest machine and select VM –> Install VMware Tools from the guest machine menu.
This action temporarily mounts a virtual CD drive containing the guest tools onto your Ubuntu machine.
While the virtual CD drive is mounted, open the Ubuntu terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T keys on your keyboard.
Next, run the commands below to extract the content from that virtual CD drive into the /tmp directory. This directory is a temporary location and will be deleted once the system reboots.
tar -xvf /media/$USER/"VMware Tools"/VMwareTools*.gz -C /tmp
Finally, run the commands below to install the tools. The -d option with the commands will install all the recommended plugins and modules with the default options.
sudo /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/vmware-install.pl -d
If you want to manually select the options and configuration, run it without the -d option.
When the installation is complete, reboot your machine, and you’re all set!
Conclusion:
We’ve covered how to install VMware Guest Tools on Ubuntu. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have anything to add.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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