VMWare as a service

Jefferson Harris

unread,

Sep 23, 2002, 6:20:58 PM9/23/02

to

VMWare Workstation can be started as a service, meaning that you can get the
VM up and running without logging in to the system, and the VM won't shut
down on you when you log out.

The standard way of adding a service is to use instsrv.exe which is a
utility that comes with the Resource Kit, however, VMWare, like many apps
needs a bit more.

A companion to instsrv is srvany.exe and the method for starting VMWare as a
service is as follows:

At a DOS prompt (assuming you have the resource kit in your path or are in
that folder) type in:

instsrv VMWare c:\progra~1\resour~1\srvany.exe //you may use long file
names as well with double quotes for spaces in the string

This creates a VMWare service which is thus far none functional.

Next, create as indicated by the following registry snippet:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VMStart\Parameters]
"Application"="C:\\Program Files\\VMware\\VMware
Workstation\\Programs\\vmware.exe \"D:\\vms\\Windows 2000 Advanced
Server\\windows 2000 advanced server.vmx\""

You can edit this snippet for your own paths, save it to a .reg, and install
it by double-clicking. Note that the \\ are required delimiters so don't
edit them out, however if you create the application keyof a type sz and
then type in string it will look like this:

C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\Programs\vmware.exe
"D:\vms\Windows 2000 Advanced Server\windows 2000 advanced server.vmx"

Note that you're passing the name of the VM you want to start as an argument
to the executable, thus the double-quotes are needed.

Once you've done this you can start the service, you then need to go to the
Configuration Editor>>Options tab and check the Power on after starting
application checkbox. You probably do not want to select exit on Power
Off...the VM window goes away, but the service still runs.

From there go to your Services applet, set the VMWare service to start
Automatic and allow it to interact with the desktop.

Then you're all set and VMWare with the selected vmx will start
automatically on a restart of the host without logging in.

Chuck Gladu

unread,

Sep 23, 2002, 7:08:10 PM9/23/02

to

What version of VMware Workstation did you successfully do this with?

The method you list does *not* work for most people with VMware
Workstation 3.0 or 3.11.

As always, also keep in mind that this is an unsupported method for
running VMware and should only be pursued "at your own risk". If you
have problems, you're entirely on your own.

----
Chuck Gladu
Do NOT reply to me by e-mail.

Please note: I do NOT work for VMware.
I'm a customer just like you are.

Axel Radack

unread,

Oct 9, 2002, 2:56:17 PM10/9/02

to

Why doesn't work this method for Workstation 3.0 / 3.1 ? Are there any
concers to consider?

Axel

"Chuck Gladu" <wen...@eskimo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:km7voukihtff4hle5...@4ax.com...

Charles Hucks

unread,

Oct 10, 2002, 2:45:36 PM10/10/02

to

This works for me except I have to NOT let it interact with the desktop,
otherwise it will shutdown the VM when a user logs out of the server
console.

"Jefferson Harris" <jefferso...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:amo44a$fnb$1...@london.vmware.com...