VMware Tools is a set of services and modules that enable several features in VMware products for better management of guests operating systems and seamless user interactions with them. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of VMware Tools from the command line using the EXE installer.
How to Install VMware Tools Silently
VMware Tools 32-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://packages.vmware.com/tools/releases
- Select the version of your choice, click Windows, then x86
- Download the VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" - Press Enter
After a few moments you will find VMware Tools entries in the Installation Directory and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | VMware Tools for Windows |
| Vendor: | VMware, Inc. |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R REMOVE=ALL" |
| Download Link: | https://packages.vmware.com/tools/releases |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/vmware-tools-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
VMware Tools 64-bit Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://packages.vmware.com/tools/releases
- Select the version of your choice, click Windows, then x64
- Download the VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" - Press Enter
After a few moments you will find VMware Tools entries in the Installation Directory and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | VMware Tools for Windows |
| Vendor: | VMware, Inc. |
| Architecture: | x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R REMOVE=ALL" |
| Download Link: | https://packages.vmware.com/tools/releases |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/vmware-tools-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create a VMware Tools Installation Log File
The VMware Tools installers offer the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following commands to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
VMware Tools 32-bit Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" /L*v C:\Windows\Temp\VMwareTools32-Install.log |
VMware Tools 64-bit Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL" /L*v C:\Windows\Temp\VMwareTools64-Install.log |
Exclude the VMware Tools Shared Folders Component
VMware Tools 32-bit Silent Install (EXE) Excluding the Shared Folders Component
VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Hgfs" |
VMware Tools 64-bit Silent Install (EXE) Excluding the Shared Folders Component
VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Hgfs" |
How to Uninstall VMware Tools Silently
Check out the VMware Tools Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following commands:
VMware Tools 32-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE)
VMware-tools-x.y.z-i386.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R REMOVE=ALL" |
VMware Tools 64-bit Silent Uninstall (EXE)
VMware-tools-x.y.z-x86_64.exe /S /v"/qn REBOOT=R REMOVE=ALL" |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.