VMware Tools setup ended prematurely
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VMware Tools setup ended prematurely

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Article ID: 330030

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article discusses the resolution to the generic error message "VMware Tools setup ended prematurely" we get when installing or upgrading VMware Tools.


Symptoms:

  •  VMware Tools upgrade/installation fails with the following error:

  • Only the previously installed VMware Tools version installs successfully. Installing any other version fails.
  • Deleting the registry values and doing a clean uninstall then reinstalling fails.
  • Installing VMware Tools using the vSphere UI fails with the error code 21009
  • You see the following errors at the end of the VMinst.log file in 'C:\ProgramData\VMware\logs\
    • 2022-05-16T18:42:55.478Z| inst-build-17337674| I2: Util_CopyFile: Copy 'C:\Users\Username>\AppData\Local\Temp\vmmsi.log_20220516_184255_Failed.log' to 'C:\ProgramData\VMware\logs\vmmsi.log_20220516_184255_Failed.log'
    • 2022-05-16T18:42:55.478Z| inst-build-17337674| E1: Util_CopyFile: The file copy operation failed| winerror code 5 (Access is denied.)



Cause

Based on the error in the logs, this is a permissions issue. 

Resolution

  • Log in with the domain account and run the following PowerShell command to allow full control to the account:
    • $acl = New-Object -TypeName System.Security.AccessControl.DirectorySecurity;$acl.SetSecurityDescriptorSddlForm("O:BAG:SYD:PAI(A;OICIID;FA;;;SY)(A;OICIID;FA;;;BA)(A;OICIIOID;GA;;;CO)(A;OICIID;0x1200a9;;;BU)(A;CIID;DCLCRPCR;;;BU)");Set-Acl -Path C:\ProgramData\VMware\logs -AclObject $acl;Get-Acl -Path C:\ProgramData\VMware\logs | Format-List
  • The output should be similar to:

Path : Microsoft.PowerShell.Core\FileSystem::C:\ProgramData\VMware\logs

Owner : BUILTIN\Administrators

Group : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM

Access : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Allow FullControl

BUILTIN\Administrators Allow FullControl

CREATOR OWNER Allow 268435456

BUILTIN\Users Allow ReadAndExecute, Synchronize

BUILTIN\Users Allow Write

 

  • If the PowerShell command does not work, go through the folder "Properties | Security | Advanced | Change permissions" UI to grant FullControl to System account/Administrators group.



Additional Information

Impact/Risks:

VMware Tools cannot be upgraded. Only the previously installed version installs successfully.


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