If the VMware Tools copy becomes corrupted, you won't be able to successfully update it, and some leftover files will remain. These leftover files will stop you from reinstalling VMware Tools. Therefore, you need to completely uninstall VMware Tools first. This guide offers four methods.

VMware Tools is a collection of services and modules that allow various VMware products to better manage guest operating systems and enable seamless user interaction with them. Some users want to uninstall VMware Tools for the following reasons:

• After updating VMware Fusion, the VMware Tools installer doesn't start automatically when Windows starts.
• The VMware Tools installer fails to launch even after clicking Install VMware Tools in the Virtual Machine menu.
• VMware Tools doesn't install correctly.

Below are the error messages you might encounter:

Error: "The feature you are trying to use is on an unavailable network resource. Click OK to try again, or enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package 'VMware Tools64.msi' in the box below."

Error: VGAuthservice and Alias Manager cannot be installed.

Error: A network error occurred while attempting to read from the file C:\Windows\Installer\VMware Tools.msi.

Next, let's look at how to remove VMware Tools on Windows 11/10.

How to Uninstall VMware Tools

Method 1: Using MiniTool System Booster

How to uninstall VMware Tools on Windows 11? You can try a professional uninstall tool - MiniTool System Booster. It can uninstall any programs like Windows built-in apps, any stubborn programs, bloatware, bundled software, etc.

It can also disable startup items, permanently delete files, wipe the entire drive, recover accidentally deleted files, optimize your Internet speed, etc. Now, we will introduce how to uninstall VMware Tools with MiniTool System Booster.

Step 1: Download and install the MiniTool System Booster Trial version. Then, you can use it free for 15 days.

Step 2: Launch it to enter its main interface and click the drop-down menu to select Toolbox.

Step 3: Under the File Management section, choose Advanced Uninstaller.

Step 4: Then, you can see the installed programs listed. Find VMware Tools and click the UNINSTALL button.

Step 5: After uninstalling VMware Tools, you can perform a deep cleanup to remove the remaining files and free up space, including cleaning up the Windows, registry, internet, RAM, and more.

Method 2: Using Control Panel

If you prefer using Control Panel, this option is still available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Follow the steps to uninstall VMware Tools via Control Panel.

Step 1: Type Control Panel in the Search box and click Open to launch it.

Step 2: Change the view method to Category. Click Uninstall a program under the Programs section.

Step 3: Find and right-click VMware Tools and click Uninstall.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall it.

Method 3: Using Settings

Another way to uninstall VMware Tools from your PC is by using the Settings application to access the installed apps.

Step 1: Press the Windows I keys together to open Settings.

Step 2: Go to Apps > Installed apps. The installed apps are listed here, including the Windows pre-installed programs.

Step 3: Find VMware Tools and click the app menu (three-dots) button. Then, click the Uninstall button.

Method 4: Manually Deleting VMware Tools

In addition to the above methods to remove VMware Tools, you can also delete VMware Tools manually. Here are the steps for that:

Step 1: Launch VMware Player and power on the Virtual Machine.

Note:

Step 2: Press the Windows E keys together to open File Explorer.

Step 3: Manually delete VMware Tools installation files under these locations:

• C:\Program Files\VMware
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware
• C:\ProgramData\VMware
• C:\users\username\AppData\VMware

Step 4: Then, press the Windows R keys together to open the Run dialogue box. Type regedit in it and click OK.

Step 5: Go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

Step 6: Delete all VMware-related items including vmci, vm3dmp, vmaudio, vmhgfs, vmmemctl, vmmouse, VMRawDisk, VMTools, vmusbmouse, vmvss, VMware physical disk helper services, VMwareCAF*.

Step 7: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VMware.Inc and delete the VMware.Inc folder.

Step 8: Open Device Manager and remove the VMware SVGA driver. Then, restart your PC.

How to Reinstall VMware Tools

After removing VMware Tools completely, you can reinstall it to experience the latest features. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: Run your VMware Workstation as the administrator.

Step 2: Log in to one of the virtual machines and wait for it to load.

Step 3: Go to the VM tab and click the Reinstall VMware Tools… option to continue.

Step 4: Wait for it to finish the reinstallation.

Related post: Install VMware Tools Greyed Out? Easy and Useful Fixes Here!

Bottom Line

We have shown you how to uninstall VMware Tools. Just try one method to fully uninstall it if you have a need. It’s recommended to choose the MiniTool software. Besides, you can also know how to reinstall VMware Tools.

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