VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

How to Start a Virtual Machine in VMware Player

Learn how to start an existing virtual machine in VMware Player, open a VM missing from the library, use the console, release input, and send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to a guest.

VMware Player is desktop virtualization software used to open and run virtual machines. A virtual machine (VM) is a software-defined computer that uses resources from a physical computer. The physical computer and its operating system are the host system; the operating system running inside the VM is the guest operating system.

This lesson assumes that VMware Player is installed and that you already have a VM available on the host, either because you created it, imported it, or received its files from another location.

Understand the VMware Player library

When VMware Player opens, its library, sometimes shown as a navigation pane, lists virtual machines that have been opened in that VMware Player installation. Selecting an entry makes that VM available for actions such as starting it and managing its settings.

A library entry is not the VM itself. It is an application reference to files stored on the host system. The VM's folder contains its configuration, virtual disks, and possibly other supporting files. Therefore, a VM can exist on disk without appearing in the library.

Start a VM that is already in the library

1. Open VMware Player on the host system.
2. Choose the desired VM from the library or navigation pane.
3. Confirm that the selected VM is the one you intend to run.
4. Select Play virtual machine. This powers on the VM.
5. Watch the virtual machine console. The guest operating system should display its boot screen and continue starting.
6. Wait until the guest reaches a login screen or another interactive screen before trying to use its applications.

The virtual machine console is the VMware Player area that displays the guest operating system and lets you control it. A boot logo, startup messages, login screen, or desktop in the console indicates that the guest is booting or running.

Open a VM that is missing from the library

A VM may be present in a folder on the host but absent from VMware Player's library. This commonly happens after the VM has been copied, moved, or created by another VMware installation.

1. Open VMware Player.
2. Choose Player > File > Open.
3. Browse to the folder containing the existing VM.
4. Locate the file with the .vmx extension.
5. Select the .vmx file and choose the command to open it.
6. After VMware Player opens the configuration, the VM becomes available in the library.
7. Select Play virtual machine to power it on.

The .vmx file is the VMware virtual machine configuration file. It describes the VM's virtual hardware and points VMware Player to related files. Do not select an unrelated virtual disk, log file, or document when opening the VM.

Example: start a copied VM

Suppose a VM was copied to a folder on an external drive or another host location. Open Player > File > Open, browse to that VM's folder, and select its .vmx file. Opening the configuration registers the VM in the current library. You can then select it and use Play virtual machine.

Use the virtual machine console

Click inside the guest console when you need to operate the guest. VMware Player then uses input capture: keyboard keystrokes and mouse movement are directed to the VM instead of the host system.

Input capture controls where input is sent; it does not power on the VM. A VM can be running while the console has no input focus, and a powered-off VM cannot receive useful guest input even if its window is selected.

1. Wait for the guest operating system to reach an interactive screen.
2. Click inside the console.
3. Use the keyboard and mouse to sign in or work in the guest.

If the guest is still booting, clicking the console may not produce an immediate visible response. Wait for the login screen or desktop, then try again.

Release keyboard and mouse input

When the console has captured input, you may be unable to move the pointer outside the guest window or use a host application. Press Ctrl+Alt to release input, returning keyboard and mouse control to the host system.

Use this shortcut when the pointer appears trapped in the guest or when keyboard commands should go to the host rather than the VM. Releasing input does not shut down, suspend, or power off the VM; it only changes the destination of keyboard and mouse input.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guest

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is commonly used by Windows for sign-in and security actions. If you press this combination directly on the host keyboard, the host operating system may intercept it. The guest may never receive the sequence.

To send the sequence to the intended running VM, first make sure that VM is selected and active, then choose Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del. This sends the key sequence to the guest rather than relying on the host to pass it through.

Typical uses include signing in to a Windows guest, opening guest security options, or changing a guest session state when Windows requests this sequence.

Common VMware Player actions

Basic startup validation

Before pressing the start control, confirm that you have selected a VM in the library or successfully opened its .vmx file. After starting it, look for evidence that the guest is booting: a firmware screen, operating system logo, startup messages, login screen, or desktop.

Startup may take time. Wait for the guest operating system's login screen before diagnosing a lack of application response. Once the guest is ready, click inside the console to direct input to it.

Troubleshooting

The VM is not listed in the library

The VM may not have been opened in the current VMware Player installation, or it may have been moved, copied, or created elsewhere. Use Player > File > Open, browse to the VM folder, and select the .vmx configuration file. Selecting a virtual disk or log file will not open the VM configuration.

The keyboard or mouse seems stuck in the VM

The console probably captured host input. Press Ctrl+Alt to release the keyboard and mouse back to the host.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete reaches the host instead of the guest

The host intercepted the key sequence. Ensure the intended VM is running and active, then use Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del.

The guest starts but cannot be controlled

The console may not have focus, or the guest may still be booting. Wait for an interactive guest screen and click inside the console. Clicking there captures input for the guest.

The selected file does not open the VM

Verify that the selected file ends in .vmx. Also check that the VM folder is complete and that related files remain in their expected locations. A configuration file without its required supporting files may not start correctly.

For a quick reference, see the VMware Player virtual machine startup guide.