VMware Workstation Player course

Start and Control a Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to open and start an existing VM in VMware Workstation Player, use the guest console, capture and release input, and send Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based computer that runs a guest operating system inside VMware Workstation Player. The physical computer and its operating system are the host system. This guide explains how to locate an existing VM, start it, interact with its console, and return control to the host.

These instructions assume that you have already created, imported, downloaded, or otherwise obtained a VMware virtual machine. For background information, see what a virtual machine is and the VMware Workstation Player course.

Understand the VMware Workstation Player library

The VMware Workstation Player library is the application area, usually shown as a sidebar, that lists virtual machines available to open and run. A VM registered with Player appears in this list. Select an entry in the library before using controls such as Play virtual machine.

The library is not necessarily a complete list of every VM file stored on the host computer. It contains VMs that Workstation Player currently knows about. A VM can exist in a folder on disk without appearing in the library, especially after it has been downloaded, moved, copied, or obtained from another computer.

Normal workflow for starting and using a VM

1. Open VMware Workstation Player.
2. Locate the VM in the library. If it is not listed, use the open workflow described below.
3. Select the desired VM in the library.
4. Choose Play virtual machine to power on the selected VM.
5. Wait while the guest operating system performs its normal boot sequence.
6. Click inside the VM console when you want keyboard and mouse actions to go to the guest.
7. When you need to use the host again, press Ctrl+Alt to release the input.

The virtual machine console is the display and interaction area where the guest operating system appears. It shows the guest desktop, login screen, boot messages, or other guest output. The host still runs VMware Workstation Player in the background while the guest is running.

Start a VM that is already in the library

1. Find the VM in the Workstation Player library or sidebar.
2. Click the VM entry to select it. Its details and available controls should appear in the main window.
3. Click Play virtual machine.
4. Allow the guest operating system to boot normally. Startup may include firmware screens, an operating-system logo, and a login screen.
5. Click inside the console before typing, entering credentials, or operating the guest with the mouse.

Selecting the VM matters because Player applies the Play action to the selected library entry. Starting a guest does not automatically mean that every keyboard or mouse action is directed to it; console focus controls where input goes.

Open a VM that is not in the library

Use the open workflow when a VM exists on the host's disk but is not displayed in the Player library. This is common for a downloaded or moved VM.

1. Open the Player menu.
2. Choose File > Open.
3. Browse to the folder containing the virtual machine.
4. Select the VMware configuration file with the .vmx extension.
5. Open the file. Workstation Player registers the VM or makes it available as a library entry.
6. Select the resulting entry and click Play virtual machine.

A .vmx file is the VMware virtual machine configuration file. It describes the VM's configured hardware and other settings. A VM folder can also contain virtual disk files, snapshot files, logs, and other supporting files. Select the .vmx file, not an unrelated disk, log, or snapshot file.

Use the virtual machine console

Click inside the running console to give it focus. This begins input capture: keyboard presses and mouse actions are sent to the guest operating system instead of the host. For example, after clicking the console, typing a username sends the characters to the guest login screen.

When input is not captured, keyboard and mouse actions go to the host system. You can then use the host desktop and its applications, while the guest may continue running in the console.

Input release means returning keyboard and mouse control from the guest console to the host. Pressing Ctrl+Alt does not shut down, pause, suspend, or otherwise stop the VM. It only changes the destination of keyboard and mouse input.

Release input with Ctrl+Alt

When the guest has captured input, the pointer may appear confined to the console and keyboard shortcuts may be received by the guest. Press Ctrl+Alt to release both keyboard and mouse control to the host. You can then move the pointer outside the console and use host applications without powering off the guest.

To interact with the guest again, click inside its console. The console captures input until you release it again with Ctrl+Alt.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guest

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is a special key sequence commonly used by Windows guests to display security options or begin the sign-in process. The host operating system may intercept this sequence before VMware Workstation Player can deliver it to the guest. As a result, pressing the keys on the physical keyboard may affect the host instead.

1. Make sure the VM is running.
2. Click inside the guest console if necessary.
3. Open the Player menu.
4. Choose Send Ctrl+Alt+Del.
5. Continue the sign-in or security action inside the guest.

The menu command sends the sequence directly to the virtual machine, avoiding the normal host shortcut handling.

VMware Workstation Player actions

Practical examples

Start a VM already listed in the library

1. Select the VM in the library.
2. Click Play virtual machine.
3. Wait for the guest operating system to boot.
4. Click in the console before typing or using the mouse in the guest.
5. Press Ctrl+Alt when you need to return to host control.

Open a downloaded or moved VM

1. Choose Player > File > Open.
2. Browse to the folder containing the VM.
3. Select the file ending in .vmx.
4. Do not select a virtual disk, snapshot, log, or other supporting file.
5. Open the configuration file, select the new library entry, and start it.

Return to the host while the guest is running

1. Press Ctrl+Alt while the console has captured input.
2. Move the pointer outside the console.
3. Use the host keyboard and applications normally. The guest remains powered on.

Sign in to a Windows guest that needs Ctrl+Alt+Delete

1. Start the VM and wait for the guest to reach its sign-in screen.
2. Make sure the VM console is active.
3. Choose Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del.
4. Complete the sign-in process inside the guest.

Troubleshooting startup and input

The desired VM is not shown in the library

The VM may not have been opened or registered in Player, or it may have been moved to another folder. A previous attempt may also have selected the wrong file. Choose Player > File > Open, browse to the VM folder, and select the .vmx configuration file.

Typing or mouse movement affects the host

The console may not have input focus, or input may have been released. Click inside the running VM console to capture keyboard and mouse input.

The pointer or keyboard seems trapped in the VM

The guest console has probably captured input. Press Ctrl+Alt to release it and return control to the host. This does not stop the VM.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete does not work in the guest

The host may be intercepting the key sequence. Use Player > Send Ctrl+Alt+Del so Player delivers it directly to the guest.

A file in the VM folder will not open as a virtual machine

You may have selected a virtual disk, log, snapshot, or another supporting file. Return to the VM folder and open the file with the .vmx extension.

Related VMware Workstation Player topics

• Virtual machine files overview
• VMware Workstation Player home screen
• Suspending and resuming a virtual machine
• Configuring a virtual machine for compatibility