Problems vmware tools 16.1 in Windows Vista.

[FabiMarshbb]

Hello, I have a question regarding VMware 16.1 PRO, I have evaluated the product for about 10 days, and I did not find any problem, except that If I want to Virtualize Windows Vista SP2 or lower (only Windows Vista x86-x64) Vmware Tools asks me for Windows 7 SP1 or higher, so if I have support for Windows XP and Windows 2000, why not Vista?

[wila]

Hi,

This is typically a problem where the guest OS is set to Windows 7 instead of Windows Vista.

Please check the guest OS that is set under "Edit virtual Machine settings" -> Options tab.

See below:

Hope this helps,
--
Wil

[bluefirestorm · Accepted solution]

Starting with VMware Tools version 11.1.x, Windows Vista is not supported as guest OS. It probably has to do with the SHA-2 signing requirement.

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Tools/11.1/rn/VMware-Tools-1110-Release-Notes.html#beforeyoubegin
https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Tools/11.1/rn/VMware-Tools-1110-Release-Notes.html#knownissues

You could try manually downloading and installing version 11.0.6 on the Vista guest.

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/downloads/details?downloadGroup=VMTOOLS1106&productId=742

[ender_]

Yup, there's a problem with Vista (and non-R2 Server 2008) guests - Workstation offers to install VMWare Tools that doesn't actually support it any more, and the only workaround is to download 11.0.6 ISO manually.

[wila]

Hi,

Both BlueFireStorm and _Ender are correct and I was wrong...
Just got to test this myself on an old Vista VM and it does indeed show the same confusing popup when trying to upgrade VMware Tools. This might be because of the certs, but as setup actually ran, I think it is more likely that it is a C runtime issue. Regardless of the cause, VMware Fusion (or Workstation) itself does no longer carry a VMware Tools you can install and you have to download the latest (after which it will nag you forever to upgrade)

The KB article that it points to has a reasonable clarification, but only if you are familiar with all of this.

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/75163

I just verified that the 11.0.6 iso works (just like _Ender said)
Here's a direct link:

https://packages.vmware.com/tools/releases/11.0.6/windows/VMware-tools-windows-11.0.6-15940789.iso

You should connect the download via menu "Virtual Machine" -> CD/DVD -> "Choose Disk or Image..."
(I had to drag & drop the downloaded iso to another location in order to be able to do that.. some Big Sur security helpful issue, as you are on Workstation I don't think you'll have that issue.)
Then do not forget to also "Virtual Machine" -> CD/DVD -> "Connect CD/DVD" and you should be able to run the vmware tools installer.
If it doesn't popup itself then go to the D:\ drive.

Note that the direct link above is for the 32 bit version of Vista, if you need the 64 bit version then you will have more work (unpacking the iso etc..)

--
Wil

[UserC1]

P.s. Hardware compatibility needs to be changed to VMWare Workstation 15.x, otherwise it will be stuck.

[CamrynSM36]

It Very much has nothing to do with the SHA-2 Code Signing Requirement. Windows Server 2008 (and Windows Vista because both share the Same Windows NT Version) got KB4474419 (https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/search.aspx?q=kb4474419 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/sha-2-code-signing-support-update-for-windows-server-2008-...) and yes. it can be installed in Windows Vista like any other update from the Microsoft Update Catalog... so what makes you think that it does have anything to do with the SHA-2 Code Signing Requirement. yes i just realized i am 2 years late.
heres a later edit showing that setup will start on a fresh unmodified copy of Windows 7. however it will fail. its not checking for KB4474419 only Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.