How to Install VMware Tools for Linux Guests

One of the things I normally do when I create a virtual machine is install the VMware tools. VMware tools is a suite of utilities that enhances the performance of the virtual machine's guest operating system and improves management of the virtual machine. Here are my steps, I know their are better ways to do this, so if you know of other ways make sure to leave your comments below.

Step 1: Log into your desktop

Step 2: I’m using VMware Workstation, so right-click on your VM tab and select “Install VMware Tools…”

Step 3: It will mount within your VM and if you are lucky it will launch itself. For some reason, I normally copy over the VMwareTools.tar.gz file to the desktop.

Step 4: I open the tar file and drag the folder to the desktop. 

Step 5: Wait until the folder is copied over to the desktop.

Step 6: Open your Terminal prompt

Step 7: Get into your ‘vmare-tools-distrib’ folder within your terminal prompt:

Step 8: Hit Enter

Step 9: run this command sudo ./vmware-install.pl to the installation.

Step 10: Enter your password to start the installation 

Step 11: Hit Enter

Step 12: Hit Enter about 8 times until you get the “Initializing….” and it then ask you about VMware FileSystem Sync Driver

Step 13: Hit Enter about 3 times until you get this prompt and make sure to type in “no” for the answer

Step 14: Hit Enter twice

Step 15: Hit enter about 3 to 4 time until you get this prompt. I normally will reboot the virtual machine and that’s it. VMware tools are installed.