How to start a local VMWare machine without activating the VMWareWorkstation window?

c7aesa7r · Dec 8, 2024

I'm starting my VMWare machines, using the vmrun.exe command, basically vmrun.exe start vmpath but this brings the VMWare Workstation window to the foreground, i would like to avoid this.

Using the option vmrun.exe start vmpath nogui it doesn't activate the VMWare Workstation window, however, this hides the machine tab on the worsktation window

.

I dont want to hide anything, i'm trying to automatize starting the machines on the background while keeping their tabs there, but without bringing any window to the foreground.

Does someone if/how this could be achieved?

OAT · Dec 8, 2024

Hi,

This is what I did so all my VMs start full screen and bypass the Workstation.

The .vmx file extension needs to be set to use VMplayer.exe

The .vmx file is a simple configuration file in plain text format and can be edited with notepad as well.
There should be 1 .vmx file for each VM. The content only affects that VM.

For global changes:
In your case, if you want to manipulate so that to have all the systems start minimized, you need to go here:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\VMware and open the preferences.ini with notepad.
Change/Add the values to match your preferences. 0 or 1, TRUE or FALSE

Code:

pref.vmplayer.fullscreen.autohideSize = "0"
pref.vmplayer.fullscreen.nobar = "TRUE"

c7aesa7r · Dec 8, 2024

@OAT but how you are starting the vm?
I set the vmx to be open with the player and also set the settings on the preferences, but when i start the vm with the vmrun command it stills bring the workstation to the foreground.
Clicking on the vmx file opens it on the player instead of the workstation.

OAT · Dec 8, 2024

c7aesa7r said:
@OAT but how you are starting the vm?
I set the vmx to be open with the player and also set the settings on the preferences, but when i start the vm with the vmrun command it stills bring the workstation to the foreground.

Look at the screenshot of the shortcut.
I do not use vmrun. There is no need. I just click on the shortcut to launch it.

c7aesa7r · Dec 8, 2024

OAT said:
Look at the screenshot of the shortcut.
I do not use vmrun. There is no need. I just click on the shortcut to launch it.

I didnt understand how that path works.

OAT · Dec 8, 2024

c7aesa7r said:
I didnt understand how that path works.

It's OK, take your time to try to understand the steps.
1-We assign the .vmx extension to use the player instead of the workstation.
2-We modify the .vmx with notepad (Individual system, OPTIONAL)
3-We modify the preferences.ini with notepad if needed. (global)
4- We create shortcuts for each VM pointing to their .vmx extension -which has been assigned in step 1.

c7aesa7r · Dec 8, 2024

4- We create shortcuts for each VM pointing to their .vmx extension -which has been assigned in step 1.

And how i need to modify the shortcut target to make it be open on the workstation on the background?

OAT · Dec 8, 2024

c7aesa7r said:
4- We create shortcuts for each VM pointing to their .vmx extension -which has been assigned in step 1.

And how i need to modify the shortcut target to make it be open on the workstation on the background?

I am not sure what you mean.
You use VMplayer to launch the VM via the shortcut and you can start the VMWorkstation independently as you wish.
They are separate programs.
Both VMPlayer & VMworkstation running side by side as shown below.

c7aesa7r · Dec 8, 2024

Im not using the player just the workstation.

OAT · Dec 9, 2024

c7aesa7r said:
Im not using the player just the workstation.

Just install the VMplayer in the same directory as the workstation ; they can co-exist.

VMware Player

Run virtual machines built with VMware Workstation, ESXi, and other VMware products.

www.techspot.com

How to start a local VMWare machine without activating the VMWareWorkstation window?

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