How to Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu
How to Install VMware Tools on Ubuntu
VMware Tools is a set of utilities that improves the performance and management of virtual machines running on VMware platforms. Installing VMware Tools on an Ubuntu virtual machine provides enhanced graphics performance, better mouse integration, and easier file sharing between the host and guest operating systems. Below is a step-by-step guide to installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu.
1. Update the System
Start by updating your system’s package list to ensure you have the latest software versions installed.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade2. Check VMware Tools Installation Options
VMware provides two main ways to install VMware Tools on Ubuntu:
- Open VM Tools (Recommended): The open-source version of VMware Tools included in most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu.
- Official VMware Tools: The proprietary VMware Tools package installed directly from VMware, useful if Open VM Tools is unavailable or specific VMware features are required.
Using Open VM Tools is generally the easiest and preferred method due to its availability and seamless integration.
3. Install Open VM Tools (Preferred Method)
On Ubuntu, installing Open VM Tools is straightforward. Run the following command:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop- open-vm-tools: Installs the core tools and enables essential functionality.
- open-vm-tools-desktop: Adds enhanced graphical support, including copy-paste and drag-and-drop features.
After installation, reboot the virtual machine for the changes to take effect.
4. Manual Installation of VMware Tools (Alternative Method)
If Open VM Tools does not meet your requirements, you can install the official VMware Tools manually. Ensure your virtual machine is running on a VMware platform such as VMware Workstation, Fusion, or vSphere, and that the VMware Tools ISO is mounted.
Step 1: Mount the VMware Tools ISO
- In VMware Workstation or vSphere, select Install VMware Tools.
- This action mounts the VMware Tools ISO to the VM’s CD-ROM drive.
Step 2: Mount the CD-ROM in Ubuntu
Open a terminal and create a mount directory:
sudo mkdir /mnt/cdromsudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdromStep 3: Extract the Installer
Navigate to the mounted directory and extract the VMware Tools package:
cd /mnt/cdromcp VMwareTools-*.tar.gz /tmpcd /tmptar -zxvf VMwareTools-*.tar.gzStep 4: Run the Installer
Once extracted, run the VMware Tools installation script:
cd vmware-tools-distribsudo ./vmware-install.plFollow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. The default options are usually sufficient.
Step 5: Reboot the System
After installation, reboot your virtual machine:
sudo reboot5. Verify the Installation
After rebooting, verify that VMware Tools is functioning correctly:
- Graphics: Check that drag-and-drop and copy-paste work between host and guest.
- Display resolution: Confirm the screen resolution adjusts automatically when resizing the VM window.
- Networking: Ensure network services and shared folders function as expected.
You can also check the installed version of VMware Tools with the following command:
vmware-toolbox-cmd -v6. Updating VMware Tools
If you need to update VMware Tools in the future, repeat the installation process using either Open VM Tools or the official VMware Tools package.
Conclusion
Installing VMware Tools on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that significantly improves virtual machine performance and usability. Open VM Tools is recommended for most users due to its simplicity and integration, while the official VMware Tools package remains available for specialized use cases. With VMware Tools installed, managing and interacting with your Ubuntu virtual machine becomes much more efficient.