In this guide, we will delve into the common issue of copy/paste and drag&drop not working in a VMware Ubuntu virtual machine. We will provide you with detailed steps to resolve this issue, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience with your virtual machine.
- Introduction
- Prerequisites
- Solution 1: Reinstalling Open-VM-Tools
- Solution 2: Installing Open-VM-Tools-Desktop
- Solution 3: Modifying Guest Isolation Settings
- Solution 4: Restarting VMware
- Solution 5: Running a Specific Command at Login
- Solution 6: Installing Necessary Packages and Guest Additions CD Image
- Conclusion
Introduction
VMware is a popular choice for virtualization, providing a complete and robust platform for running virtual machines. However, users often encounter issues with the drag and drop or copy and paste features. This can be a significant inconvenience, especially when trying to share files or data between the host and guest machines.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have the following:
- A VMware virtual machine running Ubuntu.
- Sufficient user permissions to execute commands and install packages.
Solution 1: Reinstalling Open-VM-Tools
The first solution involves reinstalling the open-vm-tools-desktop package. This package provides the necessary tools for VMware’s enhanced features, such as file sharing, improved video performance, and copy and paste.
Open the terminal in your Ubuntu virtual machine and run the following commands:
sudo apt-get autoremove open-vm-tools
sudo apt-get install open-vm-tools-desktopThe autoremove command removes the open-vm-tools package along with any unused packages. The install command installs the open-vm-tools-desktop package. After executing these commands, reboot your virtual machine.
Solution 2: Installing Open-VM-Tools-Desktop
If you don’t have the open-vm-tools-desktop package installed, you can install it using the following command:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktopThis command installs the open-vm-tools-desktop package, which is necessary for the drag and drop and copy and paste features. After the installation, restart the guest operating system.
Solution 3: Modifying Guest Isolation Settings
Another solution involves modifying the guest isolation settings in VMware. Follow these steps:
- Go to VM Settings > Options > Guest Isolation.
- Uncheck both checkboxes for “Enable drag and drop” and “Enable copy and paste”.
- Click OK.
- Shut down the guest and VMware Workstation.
- Reboot the host computer.
- Launch VMware Workstation and go to VM Settings > Options > Guest Isolation for the guest.
- Check both checkboxes.
- Power on the guest.
This process resets the isolation settings, which can sometimes resolve the issue.
Solution 4: Restarting VMware
Sometimes, simply restarting the VMware application can resolve the issue. This does not involve restarting the virtual machine, but the VMware Workstation or Fusion application itself.
Solution 5: Running a Specific Command at Login
You can also try running the /usr/bin/vmware-user-suid-wrapper command at login. This can be done by adding it to the startup applications or running it manually in the terminal. This command starts the VMware User Agent, which is responsible for the copy and paste and drag and drop features.
Solution 6: Installing Necessary Packages and Guest Additions CD Image
If none of the above solutions work, you can try installing the necessary packages and the Guest Additions CD image. Run the following command to install the packages:
sudo apt-get install make gcc perlThis command installs the make, gcc, and perl packages, which are necessary for compiling and installing the Guest Additions CD image.
Next, go to the virtual machine’s main menu and select “Devices” > “Insert Guest Additions CD image”. Follow the installation steps and reboot the virtual machine.
Conclusion
If you’re still facing issues after trying all the solutions, it might be a known issue with shared files in Linux VMs with VMware. It’s recommended to check for any updates or patches from VMware or consider using a different window manager.
Remember, it’s always a good practice to backup your virtual machine before making any changes or installations. This ensures you can revert to a working state in case anything goes wrong.
We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving your copy/paste and drag&drop issues in your VMware Ubuntu virtual machine. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.
Copy/paste may not work due to issues with the open-vm-tools package or guest isolation settings. Reinstalling or installing the open-vm-tools-desktop package, modifying guest isolation settings, or restarting VMware can often resolve the issue.
Open the terminal in your Ubuntu virtual machine and run the following commands:
sudo apt-get autoremove open-vm-tools
sudo apt-get install open-vm-tools-desktopReboot your virtual machine after executing these commands.
Open the terminal in your Ubuntu virtual machine and run the following command:
sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktopRestart the guest operating system after the installation.
Simply close the VMware Workstation or Fusion application and launch it again.
You can add the /usr/bin/vmware-user-suid-wrapper command to the startup applications or run it manually in the terminal. This command starts the VMware User Agent responsible for the copy and paste and drag and drop features.
Run the following command in the terminal to install the necessary packages:
sudo apt-get install make gcc perlNext, go to the virtual machine’s main menu and select "Devices" > "Insert Guest Additions CD image". Follow the installation steps and reboot the virtual machine.
If none of the solutions work, it may be a known issue with shared files in Linux VMs with VMware. Check for any updates or patches from VMware or consider using a different window manager.
Yes, it is always a good practice to backup your virtual machine before making any changes or installations. This ensures you can revert to a working state in case anything goes wrong.
