Error: "Unable to open kernel device ".\Global\vmx86"...." powering on a virtual machine in Workstation

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

• Cannot power on a virtual machine in Workstation
• Powering on a virtual machine in Workstation fails
• You see the error:
  
  Unable to open kernel device ".\Global\vmx86" : The system cannot find the file specified.
  
  Did you reboot after installing VMware Workstation?
  
  Failed to initialize monitor device.

Environment

• VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)
• VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)
• VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 8.x (Windows)

Cause

This issue occurs if VMware Workstation did not install correctly on the host.

Resolution

Reinstall VMware Workstation on the host:

1. Close VMware Workstation.
2. Uninstall Workstation by navigating to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs or Control Panel > Program and Features.
   
   For more information, see:
   • Windows XP – Microsoft article How to change or remove a program in Windows XP
   • Windows Vista – Microsoft article Uninstall or change a program
   • Windows 7/8 – Microsoft article Uninstall or change a program
     
     Note: If the uninstallation fails, see Cleaning up after an incomplete uninstallation on a Windows host (1308).
      
3. Reboot the host.
4. Reinstall VMware Workstation using the installer. 

Additional Information

Cleaning up after an incomplete uninstallation on a Windows host