VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

How to Start a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to start a listed VMware Workstation Player VM, open a missing VM with its .vmx file, use the guest console, release input, and send Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based computer that runs a guest operating system and applications using resources from a physical host system. The host system is the computer and operating system where VMware Workstation Player is installed.

This guide explains how to start an existing VM, open one that is missing from the VM library, interact with the running guest, and return keyboard and mouse control to the host.

Understand the VMware Workstation Player interface

When Player is open, the main window generally includes these areas:

• VM library or inventory panel: A list of virtual machines that Player knows about. Select a VM from this list to work with it.
• Selected VM details area: Information and controls for the selected VM, such as its name, operating system, hardware summary, and current power state.
• Play virtual machine control: The control used to power on or resume the selected VM.
• Player application menu: Menu commands for opening existing VMs, managing the active VM, and sending special key sequences to the guest.

The exact arrangement can vary between Player versions, but the library, selected-VM area, play control, and Player menu provide the functions needed for basic startup.

Complete the basic startup checks

1. Start VMware Workstation Player.
2. Confirm that the VM files are available. If the VM is stored on an external drive, network location, or removable storage, make sure that location is connected and accessible.
3. Check the VM's power state. A VM that is powered off can be started. A suspended VM may be resumed instead of booting from the beginning.
4. Verify that you have selected the intended VM before starting it. Starting the wrong VM can change files or settings in an unintended guest system.

Allow the guest operating system to complete its normal boot sequence before attempting regular work. The guest may display firmware messages, a boot logo, a login screen, or a desktop while it starts.

Start a VM already listed in the library

1. Find the intended VM in the VM library or inventory panel.
2. Select its name.
3. Check the selected-VM details area. Confirm the VM name, guest operating system, and storage or other identifying information match the VM you intend to use.
4. Choose Play virtual machine. Depending on the Player version and the VM state, this may power on the VM or resume it.
5. Wait while the guest operating system performs its normal startup.
6. When the login screen or desktop appears, click inside the VM console before typing credentials or using keyboard shortcuts intended for the guest.

The virtual machine console is the window area that displays the guest operating system and accepts interaction with it. It is not a second physical monitor; it is Player's view of the running guest computer.

Open a VM that is missing from the library

A VM can be absent from the library if it was downloaded, copied, moved, or created outside the current Player library view. Opening the VM's configuration file makes it available in Player.

1. In VMware Workstation Player, open the Player application menu.
2. Choose Player > File > Open, or the version's equivalent command for opening an existing virtual machine.
3. Browse to the folder containing the VM files.
4. Select the VMware virtual machine configuration file ending in .vmx.
5. Open the configuration file. Player adds the VM to the library or makes it available for selection.
6. Select the newly available VM and choose Play virtual machine.
7. Wait for the guest operating system to finish booting.

Select the .vmx file, not a virtual disk or snapshot-support file. The configuration file describes the VM and points Player to its virtual hardware and storage.

Use the running VM console

When the VM is running, its console displays the guest operating system. The host and guest are separate environments:

• The host is your physical computer and its operating system. Host applications, such as the file manager or web browser, run there.
• The guest is the operating system inside the VM. Guest applications and guest settings run in the console.

Click inside the guest display area to give the VM focus. After that, keyboard input and mouse actions are directed to the guest. For example, click inside the console before entering a guest username and password.

Player may use input capture, which means the keyboard and mouse are temporarily directed to the guest VM. This is useful while working in the guest, but it can make host controls seem unresponsive until input is released.

Release keyboard and mouse input to the host

Press Ctrl+Alt to release captured keyboard and mouse input from the guest back to the host. This does not shut down the VM or send a normal Ctrl+Alt action to the guest; it changes which environment receives input.

1. With the VM running, press Ctrl+Alt.
2. Confirm that the pointer can move outside the VM console and that keyboard input works in a host application.
3. Use the host normally, such as switching applications or accessing host controls.

Release input when you need to switch to the host, use the host file manager, or interact with a host window. To work in the guest again, click inside the VM console.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guest

The Ctrl+Alt+Delete sequence is commonly handled by the host operating system. Pressing it directly may open the host's security screen instead of the guest's screen. VMware Player provides a menu command that sends the sequence specifically to the active VM.

1. Make sure the intended VM is active and running.
2. Open the Player application menu.
3. Choose Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del.
4. Continue in the guest operating system's security screen, sign-in screen, lock screen, or recovery workflow as appropriate.

Use this command for a Windows guest when you need the guest security screen rather than the host security screen. The command only affects the active VM.

Practical startup examples

Launch a VM that appears in the library

1. Select the named VM from the library panel.
2. Verify that its name and guest operating system are correct.
3. Choose the play action.
4. Wait for the guest login screen or desktop.
5. Click in the console before typing guest credentials.

Open a downloaded or moved VM

1. Choose Player > File > Open.
2. Browse to the folder containing the downloaded or moved VM.
3. Select the file ending in .vmx, rather than a .vmdk virtual disk.
4. Open the configuration file.
5. Select the VM in Player and choose the play action.

Return to the host while the VM is running

1. Click inside the guest console so it receives input.
2. Press Ctrl+Alt.
3. Move the pointer outside the console and interact with a host application.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to a Windows guest

1. Make the intended VM active.
2. Open the Player menu.
3. Choose Send Ctrl+Alt+Del.
4. Continue with the guest sign-in or security screen.

Troubleshoot common startup and input problems

The intended VM is absent from the library

The VM may have been moved, copied, downloaded, or created outside the current library view. Use the open-existing-VM command, browse to the VM folder, and select its .vmx file. After opening it, verify that the VM appears in the library and start it from there.

The wrong file is selected while opening a VM

A virtual disk or another support file was selected instead of the VM configuration. Return to the VM folder and locate the file ending in .vmx. Open that configuration file.

Mouse or keyboard actions affect the wrong system

If the guest does not respond, its console may not have focus. Click inside the console to direct input to the guest. If the host does not respond because input is still captured, press Ctrl+Alt to return control to the host.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete opens a host action

The host intercepted the key sequence. Do not rely on pressing the three keys directly. Use Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del so Player delivers the sequence to the active guest.

The VM does not start as expected

• Confirm VMware Workstation Player is running.
• Confirm the VM storage location is connected and accessible.
• Check that the VM is powered off or in a state that can be resumed or started.
• Verify that you selected the correct VM.
• Wait for the guest operating system to finish booting before judging that normal input is unavailable.

Key points to remember

• The VM library lists virtual machines available for selection and launch.
• Use Play virtual machine to start or resume the selected VM.
• Use Player > File > Open and select a .vmx file to open a VM that is not listed.
• Click inside the console to direct keyboard and mouse input to the guest.
• Press Ctrl+Alt to release captured input to the host.
• Use Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del to send that special sequence to the guest instead of the host.

For a concise reference to this procedure, see starting a virtual machine.