> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.glesys.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.glesys.com/products/compute/vmware-virtual-machines/how-tos/install-and-upgrade-vmware-tools.md).

# Install and upgrade VMware Tools

***

## What is VMware Tools?

VMware Tools is the in-guest integration that enables clean shutdowns and reboots, time sync, richer drivers, and performance tweaks. On most Linux distributions, this is provided as `open-vm-tools`, which is the open-source edition packaged by your Linux vendor. Keeping Tools current is important to avoid bugs and known security issues.

## Recommended versions

As of 2025-10-14:

**Windows:**

* VMware Tools 13.0.5 (internal version 13317) or newer.
* VMware Tools 12.5.4 (internal version 12452) or newer. Use 12.x only if your OS requires it.

**Linux:**

* Use the latest `open-vm-tools` from your distribution's repositories.

## Install

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

1. From Glesys Cloud, click **Manage** on the VM
2. Go to the **CD/DVD** tab
3. Mount "windows.iso", which is located under VMware-tools
4. Run the setup inside the OS from the mounted drive
5. Unmount by either ejecting the drive inside the OS, or by choosing **Active ISO: None** and clicking **Mount ISO** inside Glesys Cloud.
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}

### Ubuntu / Debian

Start by updating the repository:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
sudo apt update
```

{% endcode %}

Then, install `open-vm-tools`. For a server with CLI only, run:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
sudo apt install -y open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}

For a GUI desktop, run this instead:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
sudo apt install -y open-vm-tools-desktop
```

{% endcode %}

Finally, verify that everything is installed and running:

{% code title="Multiple command" %}

```
vmware-toolbox-cmd -v
systemctl is-active --quiet vmtoolsd && echo 'vmtoolsd running'
```

{% endcode %}

### AlmaLinux

Install `open-vm-tools` using:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```
sudo dnf makecache
sudo dnf install -y open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}

Then, verify it's installed and running by executing:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```
rpm -q open-vm-tools
systemctl is-active --quiet vmtoolsd && echo 'vmtoolsd running'
```

{% endcode %}

### Talos Linux

Talos is immutable with no `apt`/`dnf`. Install VMware integration by enabling the `vmtoolsd` system extension in your Talos machine config, then roll out the updated extension; verify with `talosctl` that the extension is loaded and healthy.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Check the current version

Depending on your operating system, these are the ways to check which version you currently have installed.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}
From an elevated PowerShell or CMD:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\VMwareToolboxCmd.exe" -v
```

{% endcode %}

This prints the version and build.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}
Show the Tools version:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
vmware-toolbox-cmd -v
```

{% endcode %}

Check the service status:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
systemctl status vmtoolsd
```

{% endcode %}

Query the package version (Debian/Ubuntu):

{% code title="Command" %}

```
dpkg -s open-vm-tools | grep -i '^Version'
```

{% endcode %}

Query the package version (AlmaLinux):

{% code title="Command" %}

```
rpm -q open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Upgrade

Upgrading VMware Tools on Windows requires a reboot (driver updates), while Linux updates typically only restart the vmtoolsd service.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows" %}

1. From Glesys Cloud, click **Manage** on the VM
2. Go to the **CD/DVD** tab
3. Mount "windows.iso", which is located under VMware-tools
4. Run the setup inside the OS from the mounted drive to upgrade
5. Unmount by either ejecting the drive inside the OS, or by choosing **Active ISO: None** and clicking **Mount ISO** inside Glesys Cloud.

Please note that a reboot will likely occur during the upgrade process.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Linux" %}
`open-vm-tools` is normally upgraded with regular OS updates. If upgrades are held/locked, see the notes below.

### Ubuntu / Debian

Start by updating the repository:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
sudo apt update
```

{% endcode %}

Then, perform the upgrade by executing the command (replace `open-vm-tools` with `open-vm-tools-desktop` if you are using a desktop GUI):

{% code title="Command" %}

```vim
sudo apt install --only-upgrade -y open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}

Verify that the service is running:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
systemctl is-active --quiet vmtoolsd && echo 'vmtoolsd running'
```

{% endcode %}

If updates are held, check and fix with:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```vim
sudo apt-mark showhold
sudo apt-mark unhold open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop
```

{% endcode %}

### AlmaLinux

Update `open-vm-tools` using:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```
sudo dnf makecache
sudo dnf update -y open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}

Verify that the package is installed and the service is running:

{% code title="Command" %}

```
rpm -q open-vm-tools
systemctl is-active --quiet vmtoolsd && echo 'vmtoolsd running'
```

{% endcode %}

If you are on an older system that still uses `yum`, run these commands instead:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```
sudo yum clean all
sudo yum update -y open-vm-tools
```

{% endcode %}

If updates are locked, check and fix with:

{% code title="Multiple commands" %}

```
sudo dnf versionlock list || true
sudo dnf versionlock delete open-vm-tools\*
grep -i '^exclude=' /etc/dnf/dnf.conf || true
```

{% endcode %}

### Talos Linux

Talos is an immutable Kubernetes OS with no `apt`/`dnf`. VMware integration is provided by a `vmtoolsd` extension.

1. Enable the VMware Tools extension in your Talos machine configuration.
2. Update by applying a newer Talos system extension and performing a rolling node upgrade.
3. Verify with `talosctl` that the extension is loaded and the service is healthy.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

## Official documentation

Overview of VMware Tools:\
<https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/315382/overview-of-vmware-tools.html>