Installing vmware tools NOT WORKING

[rgillis]

Hi. I just downloaded the 30 day trial of vmware fusion to make sure it's going to work with the software I'll be using on Windows (the reason for having to have win xp). I already have a partitioned bootcamp and xp was already installed before I installed vmwfusion. SO, I can see my partition and windows appears to function fine except that the New hardware Found wizard keeps coming up. Do I cancel or tell it where to look? At the bottom of the xp window, it says VMWare Tools is not intstalled. So, I choose the Virtual Machine, and click on Install VMWare Tools. But it appears to do nothing. Nothing comes up when I click that. Then when I go back to virtual machine, the option now says "cancel vmware tools installation." How long does this install for the tools take? Should there be something that I can visibly see taking place?

Help!!

Thanks!

[WoodyZ]

All clicking on Install VMware Tools does is insert the VMware Tools ISO Image for the target Guest OS and in Windows if the Setup does not autorun then you need to run the setup.exe from the CD/DVD manually just as you would if it was a physical machine and you stuck a CD/DVD in and nothing happened.

In the VMware Fusion Help File it states...

Installing or Upgrading VMware Tools in a Windows Virtual Machine

■ With the virtual machine powered on, choose Install VMware Tools from the Virtual Machine menu, and follow the on-screen instructions in the Installation Wizard.

If VMware Tools is already installed, the Virtual Machine menu displays the choice Upgrade VMware Tools instead of Install VMware Tools.

It absolutely unbelievable that the document team can get their act together and add a simple note that if VMware Tools setup does not run automatically under Windows then click Start > Run > type D:\setup and click OK or press Enter. Note: D: represent the drive letter assigned to the CD/DVD.

[rgillis]

Ok. When you say insert the CD/DVD, what cd are you referring to? I downloaded this so I don't have an install cd. Do you mean since it's an iso, to just insert a random cd? (not sure that makes sense so don't laugh at me!) What cd? Are you referring to the "Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard" that keeps coming up and asking for software? What hardware is it talking about? What freaking cd??? This is making me crazy! :smileyhappy:

Sorry for all the questions, but it has obviously, greatly confused me! THANK YOU for your help!

[WoodyZ]

The CD/DVD I'm referring to is the one in Windows Explorer. If you insert a CD or DVD in a physical machine and nothing happens you have to go to the CD/DVD in Windows Explorer or run the setup command as in the example already presented.

Suggest you take some time and read the documentation even though is not as complete as it should be and in this area about CD/DVD

VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > VMware Fusion Help > Managing Virtual Machines > Configuring the CD/DVD Drive > Connecting and Setting Up a CD/DVD Drive

You'll note that one of the things it talks about is being able to use a disk image and says "Select this to direct the virtual machine’s CD/DVD drive to an ISO image. Click Choose to browse for and select the ISO image file".

Well when on selects Install VMware Tools or Install McAfee Virus Scan Plus what happes in Fusion inserts a ISO Image as the CD/DVD just like you could do manually if needed. Sometimes in Windows auto insert notification and or autorun are not functioning properly or are turned off. In either case this is a Windows issue not a Fusion issue and as such in a case like this thus one need to manually run the setup.exe either from the CD/DVD in Windows Explorer or use the Run dialog box.

[rgillis]

btw...the found new hardware wizard is saying it needs software for a Video Controller (vga compatible) Why is it "finding" that? It won't allow me just to cancel it.

[WoodyZ]

btw...the found new hardware wizard is saying it needs software for a Video Controller (vga compatible) Why is it "finding" that? It won't allow me just to cancel it.

With the exception of the CPU, RAM, and a RAW Disk like with using the Boot Camp partition the rest of the Virtual Machine uses virtual hardware and you need to install VMware Tools to rectify the Hardware Tree. Have a look at: VMware Fusion (menu bar) > Help > VMware Fusion Help > Virtual Machine Basics > Virtual Hardware Specifications

[rgillis]

I went to the start menu and run and D:\setup. That automatically started it and installed it.

So my only question left is about the found new hardware wizard...

[WoodyZ]

Installing VMware Tools should take care of the found new hardware wizard.

[xanrov]

I must say here that I installed VMWare Tools on Windows 98 SE VM in spite of a warning saying that the system was busy and the CD drive "probably" occupied. Well, the drive was perfectly empty. I had to override a mysterious "disconnection" and the Tools were apparently installed. This occured one year ago with good old Leopard and yesterday on Snow Leopard ( after reinstalling Fusion 2.0.5 on my Mac Pro) in the same manner ( I asked for "tools repair" this time). Its not really a problem to me especially on this antiquated Microsoft OS but, in my view it's a bug that VMware should correct.

Other problems with Snowy Kitten I'll adress in a separate post.

[WoodyZ]

The OP is using Windows XP not Windows 98 and was not having the issue you were and based on what you've said your issue is not even related to the issue discussed here.

[rgillis]

Thanks WoodyZ! It appears to be working. I'll know more tomorrow when I install the software I'll be using for my new business.

Thanks for all your help. I think I'll be buying this for sure after the 30 day trial! I really like it already!

[Waldo Corea]

This comment literally saved me in 2025. Crazy that it was written back in 2009 and the exact same issue still exists today.

For anyone struggling to get better resolution or install VMware Tools:

If the setup doesn't run automatically under Windows, just open Command Prompt inside your virtual machine and type: D:\setup

That's it. Everything will launch and install like it's supposed to. No more guessing, no more frustration.

[Technogeezer]

This guidance on how to manually run the VMware Tools installer if Autorun doesn't work is also present in the VMware Fusion documentation that's available both within the product and n the web. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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[Scarlet Penn]

You need to manually start the VMware Tools installation inside Windows XP. When you click "Install VMware Tools," it mounts a virtual CD inside XP. Open My Computer, look for a CD drive labeled VMware Tools, and run setup.exe. This should start the installation. Once installed, restart XP, and it should resolve the "New Hardware Found" issues.