Virtual Machine Interaction privileges control the ability to interact with a virtual machine console, configure media, perform power operations, and install VMware Tools.

You can set this privilege at different levels in the hierarchy. For example, if you set a privilege at the folder level, you can propagate the privilege to one or more objects within the folder. The object listed in the Required On column must have the privilege set, either directly or inherited.

Table 1. Virtual Machine Interaction
Privilege Name in the vSphere Client Description Required On Privilege Name in the API
  • Interaction
    • Answer question

Allows resolution of issues with virtual machine state transitions or runtime errors.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.AnswerQuestion
  • Interaction
    • Backup operation on virtual machine

Allows performance of backup operations on virtual machines.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Backup
  • Interaction
    • Configure CD media

Allows configuration of a virtual DVD or CD-ROM device.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.SetCDMedia
  • Interaction
    • Configure floppy media

Allows configuration of a virtual floppy device.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.SetFloppyMedia
  • Interaction
    • Console interaction

Allows interaction with the virtual machine’s virtual mouse, keyboard, and screen.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.ConsoleInteract
  • Interaction
    • Create screenshot

Allows creation of a virtual machine screen shot.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.CreateScreenshot
  • Interaction
    • Defragment all disks

Allows defragment operations on all disks of the virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.DefragmentAllDisks
  • Interaction
    • Device connection

Allows changing the connected state of a virtual machine’s disconnectable virtual devices.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.DeviceConnection
  • Interaction
    • Drag and Drop

Allows drag and drop of files between a virtual machine and a remote client.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.DnD
  • Interaction
    • Guest operating system management by VIX API

Allows management of the virtual machine's operating system through the VIX API.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.GuestControl
  • Interaction
    • Inject USB HID scan codes

Allows injection of USB HID scan codes.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.PutUsbScanCodes
  • Interaction
    • Pause or Unpause

Allows pausing or unpausing of the virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Pause
  • Interaction
    • Perform wipe or shrink operations

Allows performing wipe or shrink operations on the virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.SESparseMaintenance
  • Interaction
    • Power Off

Allows powering off a powered-on virtual machine. This operation powers down the guest operating system.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.PowerOff
  • Interaction
    • Power On

Allows powering on a powered-off virtual machine, and resuming a suspended virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.PowerOn
  • Interaction
    • Record session on Virtual Machine

Allows recording a session on a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Record
  • Interaction
    • Replay session on Virtual Machine

Allows replaying of a recorded session on a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Replay
  • Interaction
    • Reset

Allows resetting of a virtual machine and reboots the guest operating system.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Reset
  • Interaction
    • Resume Fault Tolerance
 Allows resuming of fault tolerance for a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.EnableSecondary
  • Interaction
    • Suspend

Allows suspending a powered-on virtual machine. This operation puts the guest in standby mode.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.Suspend
  • Interaction
    • Suspend Fault Tolerance
 Allows suspension of fault tolerance for a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.DisableSecondary
  • Interaction
    • Suspend to memory
 Allows suspension of memory for a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.SuspendToMemory
  • Interaction
    • Test failover

Allows testing of Fault Tolerance failover by making the Secondary virtual machine the Primary virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.MakePrimary
  • Interaction
    • Test restart Secondary VM

Allows termination of a Secondary virtual machine for a virtual machine using Fault Tolerance.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.DisableSecondary
  • Interaction
    • Turn Off Fault Tolerance

Allows turning off Fault Tolerance for a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.TurnOffFaultTolerance
  • Interaction
    • Turn On Fault Tolerance

Allows turning on Fault Tolerance for a virtual machine.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.CreateSecondary
  • Interaction
    • VMware Tools install

Allows mounting and unmounting the VMware Tools CD installer as a CD-ROM for the guest operating system.

Virtual machines

VirtualMachine.Interact.ToolsInstall