You can use command line installation options to install Workstation Pro on a Linux host system.

To use the installation options, you must be logged in as root. Exit from the root account after the installation is finished.

Table 1. Linux Command Line Installation Options

Option

Description

--console

Enables you to use the terminal for installation.

--custom

Use this option to customize the following installation settings.

  • The locations of the installation directories.

  • The user who will initially connect to VMware Workstation Server. This user can create and manage shared virtual machines.

  • The location of the shared virtual machines directory.

  • The HTTPS port that VMware Workstation Server uses on the host system.

--gtk

Opens the GUI-based VMware installer, which is the default option.

--ignore-errors or -I

Allows the installation to continue even if there is an error in one of the installer scripts. Because the section that has an error does not complete, the component might not be properly configured

--regular

Shows installation questions that have not been answered before or are required. This is the default option.

--required

Shows the license agreement only and then proceeds to install Workstation Pro.

--set-setting vmware-installer installShortcuts yes | no

Adds shortcuts when Workstation Pro is installed. The default is yes.

--set-setting vmware-installer libdir lib_path

The libdir parameter instructs the installer where to place product-specific data files, such as libraries and internal icons. The installer places product files in $libdir/vmware and $libdirvmware-installer. The default is /usr/lib.

--set-setting vmware-installer prefix /usr/local

Installs executable files you run directly (ex: vmware, vmplayer, vmware-networks, etc.) here. Remainder of the product distributed under libdir-derived paths. The default is /usr ​.

--set-setting vmware-workstation serialNumber xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

--set-setting vmware-player serialNumber xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Lets you enter the license key when Workstation Pro or Workstation Player is installed. Enter the license key with hyphens, for example, xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx.

--set-setting vmware-player-app simplifiedUI yes|no

Turn on or off certain UI features of Workstation Player. The default is no.

--set-setting vmware-player-app softwareUpdateEnabled yes|no

Enables automatic upgrades for Workstation Pro or Workstation Player when a new build becomes available.

--set-setting vmware-player-app softwareUpdateURL https://url/

Specifies a custom URL for managing software updates (separate from vmware.com).

--set-setting vmware-player-app supportURL https://url/

Set a support URL or email alias specifically for your users to contact with product issues through the Help menu.