How to update the VMware Tools version in the ESXi host
Article ID: 322293
Updated On: 04-07-2025
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Updating VMware Tools using vSphere Lifecycle Images
See the following documentation for updating cluster or stand-alone ESXi host vLCM images:
Working with Images
Step 1: Validate the asynchronous VMware Tools image is present on the vCenter
- Validate the necessary VMware Tools Async Release is present within the Lifecycle Manager.
1. Open the vSphere Client and navigate to Menu > Home > Lifecycle Manager.
2. Locate the VMware Tools Async Release under Image Depot > Components.
Note: If the desired VMware Tools version isn't present on the vCenter, or the vCenter does not have access to the Broadcom downloads portal, the desired VMware tools package can be downloaded from the Broadcom site and uploaded to the vCenter using the directions in the following documentation:
Downloading VMware Tools
Import Updates to the vSphere Lifecycle Manager Depot
Step 2: Update the VMware Tools Version on the ESXi host(s) or Cluster Image
1. Within the vCenter inventory, navigate to vCenter > Datacenter > Cluster for a cluster image or vCenter > Datacenter > ESXi Host for standalone ESXi hosts
2. Select the "Updates" tab in the ESXi host or Cluster, and images within the Updates tab
3. Select "Edit" within the Image
4. Next to the "Components" value, select "Show Details"
5. Select "ADD COMPONENTS" within the component details
6. Within the "Add Components" window, under "Component Name", locate "VMware Tools Async Release" or the name of your imported VMware tools package and select the desired value from the "Version" column
7. Select the checkbox next to the VMware Tools Async Release and then the "select: button on the bottom right of the screen.
8. Select "Validate"
9. After the image is validated, select "Save"
10. Use the following documentation to complete the remediation of the DRS Cluster or Standalone ESXi Host: Remediating a Cluster or a Standalone Host Against a Single Image
Step 3: Upgrade VMware tools on VMs
See: Upgrade the VMware Tools Version of Virtual Machines
Updating VMware Tools using Lifecycle Manager Baselines
Step 1: Create a New Baseline (One-time per vCenter)
1. Open the vSphere Client and navigate to Menu > Home > Lifecycle Manager.
2. Click Create New Baseline and enter a name for the baseline.
3. Select the desired patch and disable "Similar Future Updates" and "Show Roll-up Updates Only".
4. Search for the desired VMware Tools version and click Next and Save.
Note: If the desired tools version is not present in Lifecycle Manager, see step one in the previous section for instructions on obtaining and uploading the necessary version to the vCenter.
Step 2: Attach Baseline to Hosts and Remediate
1. Go to the desired host and navigate to the Updates tab.
2. Click Baseline and attach the baseline created in Step 1.
3. Remediate the host to install the VIB.
Step 3: Upgrade VMware Tools on VMs
1. Once the remediation task is complete, go to the Updates tab on the host.
2. Check the VMware Tools version and click Retest or Refresh.
3. Click Initiate Upgrade to ensure VMware Tools matches the host version.
4. Select the automatic upgrade option.
Optional: Delay Reboot
To delay reboot, enter the following command:/s /v "/qn REBOOT=ReallySuppress"
Alternatively, you can batch select VMs or go to the VM summary and click on each VM manually to delay reboot.
Manual Update of VMware Tools VIB on ESXi Host
If remediating the host fails, you can update the VMware Tools VIB on the host manually by following these steps:
Step 1: Download the VMware Tools Offline VIB Bundle
1. Go to the Broadcom support page and navigate to the "My Downloads" section.
2. Search for "VMware Tools" and select the desired version.
3. Download the "VMware Tools Offline VIB Bundle".
Step 2: Check the Current VMware Tools Version (Optional)
1. Access the ESXi host via SSH.
2. Run the following command to check the current VMware Tools version:
esxcli software component get | grep VMware-VM-Tools -B 1 -A 14
Step 3: Upload the VMware Tools Offline VIB Bundle to the Datastore
1. Upload the downloaded VMware Tools Offline VIB Bundle to a datastore that the ESXi host has access to.
Step 4: Update the VMware Tools Version
Note that it is not necessary to put the ESXi host in maintenance mode or reboot it to update the VMware Tools version.
Run the following command to confirm the same:
esxcli software sources vib get -d "PATH_OF_VMware_Tools_Zip_File"
Example:
esxcli software sources vib get -d /vmfs/volumes/LOCAL-DATASTORE//VMware-Tools-core-offline-depot-ESXi.zip
Run the following command to apply the update:
esxcli software vib install -d "PATH_OF_VMware_Tools_Zip_File"
Example:
esxcli software sources vib install -d /vmfs/volumes/LOCAL-DATASTORE//VMware-Tools-core-offline-depot-ESXi.zip
Step 5: Verify the Updated VMware Tools Version
Run the following command to verify the updated VMware Tools version:
esxcli software component get | grep VMware-VM-Tools -B 1 -A 14
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