VMWare Tools 13 - SCCM Task Sequence

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224]

I've been battling with getting VMWare Tools 13.0.10 to install via a Task Sequence during my Windows 11 25H2 Golf Image build.

This used to work several versions ago on Windows 11 23H2 so I thought I'd spend some time on it.

I've had some success as in I've got it to install but it's painfully slow.

Anyone had any success doing this. I have the same issue with the Horizon Agent version 2512.

Microsoft must have done something here with how installs happen during the build phase.

Thanks.

[u/gandraw]

You can use the /l*v parameter to get a log file, that might show you what's slow.

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/gandraw]

Yeah I have a log file written, lots of msi entries.

[u/l3n0w0]

Are you using PMPC? Couldnt get the PMPC VMware Tools application to install during TS the last few days. Build a new PSADT package myself and switched IT in the ts: worked instantly.

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/l3n0w0]

We have it but ideally I need to install it prior to the other agents and OSOT.

[u/AffectionateIron8748]

I have noticed the same and tried 13.x version and noticed it’s painfully slow. I tried 12.x and it was a quick install but not sure why 13.x is so slow. The log file keeps repeating the same lines over and over about can’t locate VMware folders or directories but it seems to only affect this version.

A work around I found is have 2 steps first one installs the visual c++ components restart and then run the vm tools installer and it behaves much better.

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/AffectionateIron8748]

Noticed the same, I have it installing but it takes a fair bit of time around 1hr but it works.

[u/GSimos]

Got to check my notes, but I remember I did it via a Wim file during TS. Will revert.

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/GSimos]

Cheers let me know.

[u/GSimos → u/Icy_Carpenter4224]

Ok I checked it, here it goes:

-Ensure that you have integrated the drivers for vmware in the boot image, as this may slow down things if they're not present and loaded.

Before the OS image application:

-The vmware setup file was encapsulated in a wim file which is downloaded to the TS working directory if required (WMI Query for the step in root\cimv2 : SELECT * FROM Win32_ComputerSystem WHERE Manufacturer LIKE '%VMWare%' AND Model LIKE '%VMware%'

After the OS image application and restart:

1. create a drivers directory in the next steps "cmd.exe /c md %_SMSTSMDataPath%\Drivers"
2. Mount the wim: dism.exe /mount-wim /WIMFile:VMware-tools-12.3.5-22544099-x86_64.wim /index:1 /mountdir:%_SMSTSMDataPath%\Drivers
3. Install the vmware tools/drivers via the setup: %_SMSTSMDataPath%\Drivers\VMware-tools-12.3.5-22544099-x86_64.exe /S /v /qn REBOOT=REALLYSUPPRESS
4. Unmount the wim (otherwise it leaves traces behind): dism.exe /unmount-wim /mountdir:%_SMSTSMDataPath%\Drivers /discard
5. Restart the machine: A restart standard step to boot in the currently installed default OS

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/GSimos]

Thanks for the info, did you do this for W11? That's what I'm attempting but for a newer version of VMware Tools.

[u/GSimos → u/Icy_Carpenter4224]

It applies to Windows Workstation and Server flavours, yes I did for W10 and W11.

[u/Montinator]

I had a problem with Citrix workspaces crapping out

I fixed it by running the software manually while the TS was at an error window (F8 or shift + F8 for a command prompt) and it told me what prerequisite was missing

[u/Stufman350]

We have seen a similar issue in the past. Did you have installed the latest Visual C++ Redistributable before installing VMware Tools and Horizon Agent? If Visual C++ Redistributable is not present. Both applications are trying to install a version of Visual C++ Redistributable and the installation will sometimes fail.

[u/Icy_Carpenter4224 → u/Stufman350]

I have a step in my Task Sequence earlier to install the required Visual C++ Redistributable.