15

Note: I will be answering this question myself to help other people who come across this problem in the future. Feel free to submit your own answers if you want, but know that it's already answered!

I am attempting to install the VMware Tools in a Windows 8.1 guest, but the Manage > Install VMware Tools... menu bar button is greyed out. I have downloaded the VMware tools for Windows (I can see it in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\windows.iso) on the host computer. How can I fix this problem?

Steve
  • 1,115

2 Answers2

23

Even though it seems obvious now, the issue was that the Windows 8.1 guest did not recognize a CD/DVD drive. I had to add one manually in the virtual machine settings. I also found that although the Manage > Install VMware Tools... menu button was then enabled, I still had to manually mount the windows.iso file in the CD drive for the VMware Tools to display in "This Computer". Hopefully this helps someone.

Steve
  • 1,115
2

For me what worked was to change the Floppy disk type to "physical". It doesn't make any sense because I obviously don't have a floppy disk connected to my laptop, but this post suggested it, and it worked.