Windows 10 – Install The VMware Virtual Infrastructure Client

KB ID 0001082 

Problem

Have you installed the VI client on Windows 10? My boss asked me this week, I replied no, but if it didn’t work then loads of people would soon be moaning. I remember sometime ago I had to use comparability mode to install it on Windows 8. I had the brainwave, “Why not ThinApp the client” it would work then, but the 5.5 client stubbornly refused to fire and the ThinApp package size was enormous.

So using the manual process I had used to try and ThinApp it on Windows 8, I pulled down Windows 10 from MSDN and tried it on that, successfully.

Disclaimer: Yes you should be using the VMware web client, but what if it’s a standalone ESXi server?

Speaking of which, the web client will not currently run in ‘Spartan’, (yes flash is enabled).

VI client on Windows 10

But it runs in Internet Explorer 11, which is still in Windows 10.

VI client on Windows 10 IE11

Solution

Anyway we want the ‘Fat’ VMware client, here I’m using 5.5 (build 1618071). Which I have downloaded to the desktop.

1. The install EXE file is actually an archive with the installation files within it, to open that archive I’m going to use 7Zip, download and install that first.

Install 7Zip

2. Now I can open the archive and navigate around the folder structure inside.

Open VMware Archive

3. Locate and extract the actual VI client install file (in the bin folder).

Extract VMware VIclient

4. VI client requires .Net 3.5 the install file for that is in the redist folder.

.Net 3.5 installer

5. Finaly it also requires Visual J#, you will find that in redistvjredist directory locate the 32 or 64 bit version as applicable, and extract that also.

Visual J#

6. Install the .Net 3.5 first, Then install Visual J#.

7. Then on the properties of the extracted setup file >properties > Compatibility > Run as Windows 7 > Apply > OK.

VI client compatability Mode

8. I also launched by right clicking and selecting ‘Run as Administrator’, but I don’t think that’s necessary. When done launch the application.

Open VMware Archive

9. All being well, you should be able to log in as normal.

Open VMware Archive

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

NA

Author: Migrated

Share This Post On