Installing or upgrading older VMware Tools can remove Windows Update installed VMware drivers

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:
When running a Windows virtual machine and installing or upgrading to an older VMware Tools package, a previously installed VMware kernel driver may be removed, resulting in the loss of that component's functionality.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

This issue occurs when the currently installed VMware kernel driver is newer than the version included in the VMware Tools package you are installing. Older VMware Tools installers will downgrade and inadvertently remove the newer driver.To ease maintenance, VMware publishes certain drivers directly through Windows Update. If a VM has received a newer driver via Windows Update, running an older VMware Tools installer afterward will overwrite and remove it.

Note: The latest and future releases of VMware Tools are fully compatible with drivers published via Windows Update.

Resolution

To restore the missing functionality, choose one of the following options:

• Run Windows Update again: This will pull down and reinstall the newest, improved version of the VMware driver over your current Tools installation.

• Reinstall VMware Tools: Use the latest available version of the VMware Tools package. Link for downloading VMware tools: Download Broadcom products, patches and software