Update VMware Tools via Windows System Tray

Those that use windows platform may inquire why they are unable to update an out of date VMware tools installation using the VMware tools applet in the system tray. When you click on the Update Tools button either produces an error similar to Update Tools failed or nothing happens. Even though the option to update VMware Tools is generally available via the system tray, the functionality is disabled by default in the VM shell. This error is displayed: Update Tools failed. Edit the virtual machine’s vmx file. Shut down the virtual machine and add the following line to the virtual machine’s .vmx configuration file via Edit Settings | Options | General |Configuration Parameter’s: isolation.tools.guestInitiatedUpgrade.disable = “FALSE” Power on the virtual machine. From this point forward, a VMware Tools update can be successfully performed from within the guest VM.