Please see whether the workaround in VMware Fusion 12 Release Notes helps. Copied from the known issues section as below:
After the easy install operation is complete, the VMware Tools is not installed in the guest operating system
Easy install will not install VMware tools in some guest operating systems including Windows 7, Windows server 2012 R2 and Windows server 2008 R2. This is because some specific Windows update packages need to be installed manually prior to VMware Tools installation.
Workaround: Perform the following steps after the guest operating system becomes ready:
For Windows 7 and Windows server 2008 R2 Guest:
- Review the information available here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4472027/2019-sha-2-code-signing-support-requirement-for-win....
- Manually get the windows update, then download and install the required Windows updates, available at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4474419/sha-2-code-signing-support-update and https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4490628/servicing-stack-update-for-windows-7-sp1-and-window....
- Manually install VMware Tools in the guest operating system.
For Windows server 2012 R2 Guest:
- Manually get the windows update, then download and install the Update Package (KB2919355) from https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=42334.
- Install the .NET 3.5 Framework from Add Roles and Features Wizard.
- Manually install VMware Tools in the guest operating system.
