Translations:VMware/3/en

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.

Building steps

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"

Copy and Paste

Ensure you are using Xorg as Wayland has some limitations. See: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/74671