Unable to update or install VMware tools

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to update/patch VMware tools users receive the following error message. "Setup cannot continue. The Microsoft Runtime DLL Installer failed to complete installation." 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0

Cause

DLL file corruption causes failure when extracting exe files on windows operating systems

Resolution

Extract the exe file to MSI files from a healthy windows system in the environment from the version of tools that needs to be upgraded or installed:

1. Open command prompt in admin mode
2. Browse to VMware Tools 
3. run the command c:\vmwaretools.exe -a
4. The above command would ask for a place to extract and store the MSI files, provide a location to copy the files.
5. Browse to the new location and double click on the MSI file to install or upgrade the tools.

 

 

Additional Information

Impact/Risks:

Cannot install or upgrade VMware tools causing issues with basic Virtual machine drivers