How to Remove VMware Tool Manually from Windows Server

Error 1316. A network error occurred while attempting to read from the file C:\Windows\Installer\VMware Tools.msi

During the uninstallation of VMware Tool form Windows Server, it gives below error: Perform below steps to troubleshoot this issue.

Uninstall VM tool to perform complete cleanup:-

Try to Uninstall VM Tool by using below command. This command will perform complete cleanup on Windows Server. It will remove all registry entries related to VM Tool, and also remove older version of VM tool if exist.

Go to Start >> Run >> Type CMD

For 32 Bit OS: setup /c

For 64 Bit OS: setup64 /c

If this step doesn't remove VM tool properly and if you see any error or tool still there, perform below task to manually uninstall VM tool from Windows Server. Follow below article to uninstall by removing registry keys and installation folders.

Unable to upgrade existing VMware Tools

Error: Enter an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package "VMware Tools64.msi".

If you will give source path of VMware Tool.msi, it returns error "The file "Z:\VMware Tools.msi’ is not a valid installation package for the product VMware Tools…”

Solution

• Open Registry Editor,
• Find “[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Installer\Products\8E24D35BB278E034284D0860A513CF1E” and delete it.
• Now try Reinstalling VMware Tool and check, it should work.

Reference for VMware Tool MSI Installer Package:-

If Automatic Installation of VMware Tool doesn't work, so you have to mount *MSI installer package manually on Windows server. Path for Installation package is stored in ESXi datastore in below location.

/usr/lib/vmware/isoimages/*.iso

You may also download it from below link:-
https://packages.vmware.com/tools/esx/index.html

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