Guest Autolock Feature doesn't work for Linux guests

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Setting the guest autolock feature in the advanced parameter VMtools.guest.desktop.autolock in a VM's vmx file doesn't work for Linux guests only.
• This does work for Windows guests.

 

Environment

ESXi 8.x

Cause

The implementation of the ESXi setting "tools.guest.desktop.autolock" relies on support from VMware Tools, specifically within the desktopEvent plugin. This plugin currently supports autolock functionality only for Windows guests, and not for Linux operating systems.

While the RPC is registered across all platforms, the guest-side plugin implementation is available only for Windows.

Resolution

This feature is currently designed to work exclusively with Windows guests. For Linux OS, it will be considered as a feature request.

You can submit a feature request here: Submit a VMware feature request