Archlinux kernels follow the release schedule on kernel.org and on Manjaro you will need to use the same kernel versions which - at the time of writing in March 2021 - is (check with https://kernel.org if in doubt)
Linux 5.10.x (LTS)
Linux 5.11.x (mainline)
Using other kernels - like 5.4LTS - will most likely fail.
1. Update your system and install the necessary build tools
user $ sudo pacman -Syu git base-devel --needed COPY TO CLIPBOARD
2. Then check your kernel version(s) - example - remember to use the same version as Arch
user $ mhwd-kernel -li COPY TO CLIPBOARD
3. Then install the headers for your kernel(s) and dkms. Substitute $KERNELXYY with your currently running kernel
user $ sudo pacman -Syu $KERNELXYY-headers dkms COPY TO CLIPBOARD
4. Clone the PKGBUILKD script
user $ git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/vmware-workstation.git ~/vmware-workstation COPY TO CLIPBOARD
5. Familiarize yourself with the content - it is all text files and you should read them and verify what they are doing.
user $ ls ~/vmware-workstation COPY TO CLIPBOARD
6. When you are satisfied - cd into the folder
user $ cd ~/vmware-workstation COPY TO CLIPBOARD
7. Run makepkg to install dependencies, build and install the package.
user $ makepkg -is COPY TO CLIPBOARD
The installer will write messages in the terminal on what to do next - follow the directions to load the kernel modules and enable vmware network service and usb service as needed.
user $ sudo modprobe -a vmw_vmci vmmon COPY TO CLIPBOARD
Optional services
There are three services that can be optionally be enabled:
vmware-networks.service: Provides network access inside VMs, most people will want this enabled
vmware-usbarbitrator.service: Allows USB devices to be connected inside VMs
vmware-hostd.service: Enables sharing of VMs on the network
To start and enable vmware network
user $ sudo systemctl enable --now vmware-networks.service COPY TO CLIPBOARD
To start and enable usb passthrough
user $ sudo systemctl enable --now vmware-usbarbitrator.service COPY TO CLIPBOARD
To start and enable the sharing of a virtual machine
user $ sudo systemctl enable --now vmware-hostd.service COPY TO CLIPBOARD
Installing Manjaro under VMWare
There are no special requirements to installing Manjaro on VMWare. open-vmware-tools is pre-installed. It should "just work"