Upgrading VMware Tools without reinstalling VSS and Sync Driver

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

When you upgrade VMware Tools, VMware VSS and Sync Driver are automatically reinstalled. However, some backup applications require you to remove VSS provider and Sync Driver.

This article provides steps to upgrade VMware Tools without reinstalling VSS and Sync Driver.

install-vmware-tools vmware-tools-install-upgrade-fails vmware-tools-upgrade-fails

Environment

VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware ESXi 3.5.x Installable
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware ESX 4.1.x

Resolution

To upgrade VMware Tools without reinstalling VSS and Sync Driver:

1. Mount the VMware Tools installer.
2. Click Start > Run, type cmd, and click OK. This opens the Command Prompt window.
3. Run this command to change directory to the CD-ROM drive:
   
   cd D:
   
   
4. Run this command to upgrade VMware Tools without reinstalling VSS and Sync Driver:
   
   msiexec /Fvomus "VMware Tools.msi" /qb ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Sync,VSS,vmdesched,WYSE REBOOT=ReallySuppress
   
   
5. After the installation completes, reboot the server.