Hi @ Wilders I have installed VMware pro on Win 10 with guest Ubuntu 2404 LTS so I can learn about Linux. I've got the virtual machine up and running and can use Ubuntu OK but there are issues to resolve such as, I cannot copy files from Win 10 and Ubuntu (Bi directional). On reading on the web it seems it might be to do with whether VMtools is installed or not. If I go to to VM on the Virtual Machine Menu I see that Install VMware Tools is greyed out. So: 1) Does this mean that VMware Tools is installed or not? 2) If it is not installed how do I find out and install it. Then is it installed to Win 10 or Ubuntu? 3) If it is installed how do I find out and is it installed to the host or guest? My knowledge of Linux is next to zero and is marginally better with Virtual Machines but I'm learning. Grateful for your help. Terry
1) If install VMware Tools is greyed out it should mean they are already installed. 2) VMware Tools are installed in the guest. 3) Check Virtual Machine settings (Settings under the VM menu) and click the Options tab and make sure Shared Folders is enabled.
Hi xxJacxx Many thanks for your helpful reply I did as suggested and went to VM menu Settings Option Tab which shows the Shared Folder page, on this there are three Radio Button options: Enabled, Disabled, Enabled until next power off or suspend All three options are greyed out. On this page it makes the following points To modify Shared folders while the Virtual Machine is powered on, VMware Tools must be enable in the guest operating system. So whilst the Ubuntu Desktop was showing I went to Menu VM Install VMWareTools. This as I said before is also greyed out. So if this shows that VMware Tool is installed: 1) How do I determine if VMware Tools is running in Ubuntu? 2) If it isn't running how do I get it running? 3) What am I doing wrong? Thank you so much for your help Terry
When I start up my Ubuntu VM the menu is greyed out but reads "Reinstall VMware Tools". I am running Ubuntu 24.10 and did not do anything additional for the Tools. What version are you running? As a last resort you could try this: Install Open VM Tools
Hi @ xxJackxx Thanks for your reply, again very helpful. 1) I did as you suggested and reinstalled VMwareTools into Ubuntu guest operating system i.e. Ubuntu running and I got half a result. I was able to copy from Windows 10 to Ubuntu Downloads folder. But, not the reverse i.e. Not from Ubuntu to Windows. It was strange, there were two files in ubuntu Downloads folder. I copied one , no problem to Win 10 Downloads, but when I tried to copy and paste the second file it had retained the first file in clipboard memory so constantly tried to overwrite what had previously copied and pasted To Win 10 Downloads. I had to delete the first file and restart the VM before I could copy and paste the second to Win 10. 2) insofar as Drag and Drop I still have a full problem. a) When I open VMware Workstation Pro (Not Ubuntu VM) and I go to Edit Virtual Machine Settings>Options>Guest Isolation The two components are ticked and live (not greyed out) i.e. Enable Drag and Drop, Enable Copy and Paste. However when I boot the Ubuntu Virtual machine up and go to VM>Settings>Options> Guest Isolation The two Items mentioned earlier i.e. Enable Drag and Drop, Enable Copy and Paste are greyed out. WHY? This of course where Copy and Drag and Drop are activated. Yet I have reinstalled VMware Tools? Grateful again for your insight? Is this a permissions Issue? Thanks Terry
I assume you're checking those settings while the VM is running. For those, it must be off. Edit: It does seem that drag and drop does not work for me unless I am trying to use it wrong. That said, I can copy and paste files back and forth so that is good enough for me. It's up to you if that is good enough for you, if yours works the same. Edit 2: I am able to get drag and drop to work in Ubuntu 24.10, but not 24.04. Not sure why yet but depending how attached to 24.04 you are you could try updating.
Hi @xxJackxx Thanks again for your help. I did as you suggested and updated to Ubuntu 24.10, but I am unsure that I am much further forward. However Copy and Paste is better although a bit "fractious" (Hit and Miss). As far as drag and drop is concerned, this is the way I try to do it. Shared Folder is DOWNLOADS with one file to be transferred by Drag & Drop: 1) Open Ubuntu file manager and Windows Explorer Left click on the file in Ubuntu Downloads AND Hold Down. The problem is that Win Explorer then disappears to the task bar so I cannot Drag and drop. Additionally I cannot drop the file on the Win Explorer in the task bar, I am prevented and it stops at the Ubuntu Desktop/Taskbar interface. 2) The reverse of (1) above is different i.e when you try to drag and drop from Windows to ubuntu Windows Explorer does not drop to the Task bar it stays in place and it is possible on some occasions to drag and drop in this direction Windows to Ubuntu? I wonder if you could share how you made Ubuntu 24.10 drag and drop so I can make any adjustments? Thank you Terry
The drag and drop that worked for me was to go from the Windows Desktop to a folder in Ubuntu that I have write access to. And reverse to go back. I have found VMware doesn't seem to like drag and drop from folders on the host and using the Desktop seems to give the most consistent results. Also I am using dual monitors with Windows on one and Ubuntu on the other. That probably makes it work more reliably. Not that it helps if you don't have dual monitors, just an explanation of what I am doing.
Hi xxJackxx Many many thanks for your input. Really appreciated. I started all over again, this time after creating the Ubuntu 24.04.1 VM, I actually installed Ubuntu manually. The result is, copy and paste works in a fashion, Drag & Drop doesn't. Looking on the web Copy and paste and Drag and Drop are problematic across many Linux distributions and Both in Virtual Box and VMware. My conclusions are that VMware is a fair bit better and easier than Virtual Box but both can be problematic. One of the issues is the poor and woeful quality of instructions in both VB and VM. They take no account that some individuals want to learn about Linux without trashing their PC. At first sight a Virtual Machine is a manna from heaven. The reality was a nightmare. There is really a long way to go for Linux to catch up with the relative ease of use of Windows and VM and VB have a long way to go, in my opinion, before it will become my de-facto method of testing. That said I have learnt a lot, with your help and I thank you. Indeed I have a working Ubuntu VM, well sort of. Thank you again Terry
