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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

hcmon driver error when installing VMware Workstation

Hello VMware community,

I'm having great deal of difficulty installing the latest version of VMware Workstation on my machine. During the installation process it removed the older version of VMware workstation, and then threw the hcmon driver error when installing the newer version. I tried running the setup multiple times and each time got the hcmon driver error.

I've searched the web of this error and did what other suggested but to no success. I'm throwing in the white towel trying to figure this out on my own and have come to this forum seeking help. Would someone be kind enough to review the attached install logs and help me determine what the issue is and how to resolve it? Much appreciated.

I've tried the following with no luck.

- Removed all instances of VMware Thick clients and VMRC from my machine.

- I ran the install file via powershell as admin.

- delete hcmon file from the windows\system32 directory.

- cleaned up all traces of VMware workstation from the install directory.

- Restarted the system.

- disabled AV

.. I'm at a lost here.

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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

What version of Workstation?

What host OS (and build/version)?


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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

I'm trying to install VMware Workstation 15.5.6 on a Windows 10 Enterprise build version 2004.

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scott28tt
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Check this thread for clues and tips: Error installing VMware Remote Console plug-in: "failed to install hcmon driver."


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Although I am a VMware employee I contribute to VMware Communities voluntarily (ie. not in any official capacity)
VMware Training & Certification blog
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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

None of the steps in the KB's provided worked. Here is the error from the log.

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon: Signature verification failed while checking integrity of driver package 'hcmon.inf' ('C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf').| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): RETURN: DriverPackageInstallW  (0x800B0100)

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Install of hcmon failed with| winerror code 2148204800 (No signature was present in the subject.)

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Cannot locate installed INF location for hcmon of C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf| winerror code 3758097154

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Closed module handle for DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T15:22:00.222-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Module DIFXAPI.dll wasn't unloaded

2020-08-24T15:22:00.238-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: ParseCommand: operation: successful

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: Done waiting for process, code 0

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: process exit code 4

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: process was not successful

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLInstallLegacyInf: Launched 64-bit process, result FALSE

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: Reboot not required

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: ERROR: Failed calling VNL_InstallHcmonInf() for service hcmon

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I1: Util_FreeLibrary: Freeing library: 1878786048

2020-08-24T15:22:00.253-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: ERROR: Failed to install hcmon

Any idea how to fix the (A certificate was explicitly revoked by it's issuer.)?

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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

I even deleted all the certs in the Trusted Root Certificate Authorities.

got the list trusted root certs using:

certutil.exe –generateSSTFromWU c:\roots.sst

Deleted all the certs in the certstore for Trusted Root Certificate Authorities.

Then ran the following commands to import the new grabbed list:

$sstStore = (Get-ChildItem -Path c:\roots.sst )
$sstStore | Import-Certificate -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\Root

And this didn't work either.

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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
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I went through the registry and cleaned up anything with "hcmon" then tried the install again, but it still gave the error.

Here is the latest logs entry from the install: I'm hoping someone could catch something that I may have overlooked that would resolve this issue. I really don't want to reinstall the OS.

2020-08-24T12:24:08.604-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLInstallLegacyInf: driverId:hcmon cmd:install hcmoninf args:5;Win7

2020-08-24T12:24:08.604-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: launching process for: install hcmoninf 5;Win7

2020-08-24T12:24:08.612-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: launched process: pid 11884 tid 12676

2020-08-24T12:24:08.612-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: Waiting for process, 0 loops

2020-08-24T12:24:08.654-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLInstallLegacyInf: driverId:hcmon cmd:install hcmoninf args:5;Win7

2020-08-24T12:24:08.675-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E2: GetSpecificProductInstallPath: could not find product registry key

2020-08-24T12:24:08.675-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E2: GetSpecificProductInstallPath: could not find product registry key. Try the WoW path.

2020-08-24T12:24:08.685-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: Util_FileExistsW: Found "C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf"

2020-08-24T12:24:08.685-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriver: Determining whether to install the hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: LoadSupportFiles: Successfully loaded C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\VMware\USB\x64\DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: LoadSupportFiles: Incremented refcount for module DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverVersionInfo::ReadFromRegistry: Did not find info for hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: Got provider for inf: VMware, Inc.

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: Got catalog file for inf: hcmon.cat

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: Got class name for inf: USB

2020-08-24T12:24:08.695-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: Got date/version for inf: 10/14/2019,8.11.8.0

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: driver C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf failed verification| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverVersionInfo::IsSameAs: File versions don't match or older

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: BaseDriverManager::IsSameDriverAndPresent: Driver file versions don't match

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::EvalUpdateNeeded: Determined that hcmon has changed

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::EvalUpdateNeeded: Prior hcmon info:

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverVersionInfo::Print: Driver version (invalid) 0.0.0.0 is not WHQL (ca ver 0) inf ""

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::EvalUpdateNeeded: New hcmon info:

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverVersionInfo::Print: Driver version (valid) 8.11.8.0 is not WHQL (ca ver 4998961) inf ""

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Decremented refcount for module DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriver: Uninstalling a prior version hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: LoadSupportFiles: Incremented refcount for module DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::UninstallDriverImpl: Uninstalling the hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverVersionInfo::ReadFromRegistry: Did not find info for hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverBaseInfo::ReadMultiszFromRegistry: No registry value vwdk.installers

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverInstallerInfo::SetMsiInstallerPresent: Set Msi installer: present

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::UninstallDriverImpl: Query if old style hcmon legacy driver is installed

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: Inst_QueryServiceRunningStatus: Attempting to query service: hcmon

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: Inst_QueryServiceRunningStatus: Service could not be opened: ERROR_SERVICE_DOES_NOT_EXIST

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Decremented refcount for module DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Installing new version of the hcmon driver

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverBaseInfo::ReadMultiszFromRegistry: No registry value vwdk.installers

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverBaseInfo::DeleteFromRegistry: No info for driver hcmon to delete

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: Util_IsTestSigningEnabled: TestSigning not enabled (no TESTSIGNING token)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: DriverMgmt_TryAddVMwareCerts: Automated cert installation requires test-signing mode

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: Util_GetKeyValueDWORD: Cannot query key value HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\hcmon\DeleteFlag| winerror code 2 (The system cannot find the file specified.)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): ENTER:  DriverPackageInstallW

2020-08-24T12:24:09.034-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): hcmon.inf: checking signature with catalog 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.cat' ...

2020-08-24T12:24:09.074-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon: Signature verification failed while checking integrity of driver package 'hcmon.inf' ('C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf').| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.074-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): RETURN: DriverPackageInstallW  (0x800B0100)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.074-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Install of hcmon failed with| winerror code 2148204800 (No signature was present in the subject.)

2020-08-24T12:24:09.083-05:00| inst-build-16047421| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Cannot locate installed INF location for hcmon of C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf| winerror code 3758097154

2020-08-24T12:24:09.083-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Closed module handle for DIFXAPI.dll

2020-08-24T12:24:09.083-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: UnloadSupportFiles: Module DIFXAPI.dll wasn't unloaded

2020-08-24T12:24:09.085-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: ParseCommand: operation: successful

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: Done waiting for process, code 0

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I2: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: process exit code 4

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLSpawn64BitVnetlibTask: process was not successful

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| inst-build-16047421| I1: VNLInstallLegacyInf: Launched 64-bit process, result FALSE

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: Reboot not required

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: ERROR: Failed calling VNL_InstallHcmonInf() for service hcmon

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I1: Util_FreeLibrary: Freeing library: 1872035840

2020-08-24T12:24:09.095-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-16047421| I0: ERROR: Failed to install hcmon

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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

anyone?

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MIHIRP1129
Contributor
Contributor

2020-09-05T21:35:15.207-05:00| inst-build-9955276| E1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon: Signature verification failed while checking integrity of driver package 'hcmon.inf' ('C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf').| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)

2020-09-05T21:35:15.207-05:00| inst-build-9955276| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Install of hcmon failed with| winerror code 2148204800 (No signature was present in the subject.)

2020-09-05T21:35:15.207-05:00| inst-build-9955276| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Cannot locate installed INF location for hcmon of C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf| winerror code 3758097154

9-05T21:35:15.237-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-9955276| I0: ERROR: Failed calling VNL_InstallHcmonInf() for service hcmon

9-05T21:35:15.237-05:00| USBDeviceInstUtil-build-9955276| I0: ERROR: Failed to install hcmon

Rollback action takes place at this point...

Any idea?

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StefanLeiss
Contributor
Contributor

I have had the same problem for 2 months

Yesterday I found the following solution together with VMware support:

Same problem with other software

VMware Tools, Horizon Agent, Remote Console

A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.

2020-08-01T19:08:13.159-05:00| inst-build-9955276| E1: DInfo_GetDriverInfoFromInf: driver C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf failed verification| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)

Resolution

On the clean Windows host:

- Run "certlm.msc" to open Certificates management in Microsoft Management Console

- From "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" -> "Certificates", select all Microsoft certificates (all certificates started with "Microsoft")

- Export the selected certificates ("Action" -> "All Tasks" -> "Export...")

On the problematic Windows host:

- Run "certlm.msc" to open Certificates management in Microsoft Management Console

- Delete all Microsoft root certificates from "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" -> "Certificates"

- Import Microsoft root certificates obtained from the clean host to "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" -> "Certificates" (select "Certificates" folder, then "Action" -> "All Tasks" -> Import...")

Regards

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cbtom
Contributor
Contributor

None of the above solutions in this thread or KBs worked for me, been trying all solutions I can google today. 

 

2021-07-09T17:03:50.674-03:00| inst-build-17130767| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): hcmon.inf: checking signature with catalog 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.cat' ...


2021-07-09T17:03:50.678-03:00| inst-build-17130767| E1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon: Signature verification failed while checking integrity of driver package 'hcmon.inf' ('C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf').| winerror code 2148204812 (A certificate was explicitly revoked by its issuer.)


2021-07-09T17:03:50.678-03:00| inst-build-17130767| I1: BaseDriverManager::DifxApiLogCallback: hcmon (Difx): RETURN: DriverPackageInstallW (0x800B0100)


2021-07-09T17:03:50.678-03:00| inst-build-17130767| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Install of hcmon failed with| winerror code 2148204800 (No signature was present in the subject.)


2021-07-09T17:03:50.679-03:00| inst-build-17130767| E1: LegacyDriverManager::InstallDriverImpl: Cannot locate installed INF location for hcmon of C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\hcmon.inf| winerror code 3758097154

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wila
Immortal
Immortal

Hi,

What's your host OS?
Also what version of VMware Workstation are you trying to install?
--
Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
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cbtom
Contributor
Contributor

Windows 10 all updated. VMWarePro Full 15.5.7

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wila
Immortal
Immortal

Hi,

There's about 3 or 4 different versions of Windows 10 I can imagine "fully patched" 😉 (hint: winver will tell you which one it is)

My question was triggered though by your log excerpt that hints at Windows 7.
Where does this log snippet come from?
A "certificate revoked" message is not what you want to see when you install anything.
Did you download Workstation from VMware's website or elsewhere?

re. Workstation 15.5.7, that might be your issue. It's no longer supported (only workstation 16 is) and the last release is about 10 months old now.

I you haven't tried full uninstall - reboot - re-install then that's what I would try first before trying to see if Workstation 16 resolves the problem.

--
Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
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cbtom
Contributor
Contributor

Running Windows10 v20H2 OS Build 19042, 1083

This is the log generated by the VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17171714.exe installer I download again today from VMWare download portal under my products.

The only thing I can think is that this older product like you said is no longer supported and Win7 is not supported anymore that the cert is now invalid. However, I don't want to upgrade because if I remember it will be a paid upgrade. 

 

 

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wila
Immortal
Immortal

Hi,

I just reread this whole thread and then did the following.
Fired up a Windows 11 VM I have laying around here and installed VMware Workstation 15.5.0 on it. That was no problem at all. It runs and I can also run nested VMs inside.

That's both an older version of VMware Workstation as well as a newer version of Windows..

So I then restored my Windows 11 VM to before the Workstation 15.5.0 install and figured to download a fresh Workstation 15.5.7 installer. Keeping defaults, next next, next.. install and ...

it installs and runs. Works fine.

The earlier replies in this thread talk about having bodged up certificate stores and that's pretty hard to resolve besides a fresh Windows install. The "delete all certificates and import from a known good host" might be another solution, though I would try another route (see below).

So the good news is that you don't need Workstation 16. The bad news is that your host's config is somehow slightly bodged.

Since the installer specifically mentions that the certificate is revoked. My guess would be that your certificate revocation list (CRL) is wrong. You should be able to reset that, but I have never had the need myself.
A quick google gives this as a suggestion:

https://serverfault.com/questions/282935/reset-local-certificate-revocation-list-crl-manual

The certutil command is available on Windows 10, pretty sure about that as I'm using it for my own products, not sure if the reset works, but it is worth a shot.

Good luck!
--
Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
VaBene
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for this answer, the deletion of the certificate revocation list actually fixed my problem.

 

So i followed this url:

https://serverfault.com/questions/282935/reset-local-certificate-revocation-list-crl-manual

 

And typed this command into my cmd:

certutil -urlcache crl delete

 

You were my solution for a 2hr midnight error search ❤️

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