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VMware Workstation 5.0

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Setting Configuration Options on the User's Computer

Global Configuration Settings

Global configuration settings are made in the VMware Workstation global configuration file, created by default in the following locations:

  • Windows Host:

    • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware Workstation\config.ini.

  • Linux Host:

    • /etc/vmware/config

    Note: Full screen switch mode is enabled for Windows hosts only. This Linux configuration file path is provided for clarity and completeness.

    You can edit this file with a text editor. You should set permissions on this file so the user cannot change it.

    Local Configuration Settings

    Local configuration settings are made in the configuration file for a particular virtual machine. The local configuration file is in the virtual machine's directory; the filename has a .vmx extension.

    The format for an entry in either configuration file is

    option = "value"

    Entries in the configuration files can appear in any order.

    The hot key entries described in this section require you to enter a virtual key code as part of the value for an option. Virtual key codes are entered in hexadecimal format — as a hexadecimal number preceded by 0x. For example, to use the virtual key code of 5A as a value, type 0x5A.

    Microsoft provides a reference list of virtual key codes on the MSDN Web site. At the time this manual was written, the reference list was at msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/winui/WinUI/WindowsUserInterface/UserInput/VirtualKeyCodes.asp.

    The hot key entries also include modifier keys. The modifier keys are Ctrl, Alt and Shift, or a combination of those keys.

    Modifier key

    Value

    No modifier

    0x0

    Alt

    0x1

    Ctrl

    0x2

    Shift

    0x4

    Ctrl-Alt

    0x3

    Alt-Shift

    0x5

    Ctrl-Shift

    0x6

    Ctrl-Alt-Shift

    0x7

    When listing a key plus a modifier, type the virtual key code for the key followed by a comma, then type the value for the modifier key or keys. For example, the value entry for Ctrl-Shift-F1 is 0x70,0x6.

    Note: Keep the following limitations in mind when defining cycle keys and switch keys:

  • Do not use the Pause key with the Ctrl key. You may use the Pause key with other modifier keys.
  • If you use F12, you must use one or more modifier keys. You cannot use F12 alone.
  • You cannot use combinations that include only the Shift, Ctrl and Alt keys. These keys may be used only as modifiers in combination with some other key.

    • Hot Key for Cycling Through Virtual Machines and the Host Computer

    You can specify a hot key or hot key combination for cycling through the available virtual machines on a host computer. Each time you press the specified hot key, the screen displays the next virtual machine in order. You may also include the host operating system in the cycle.

    If any particular virtual machine is not running, it is skipped.

    If only one virtual machine is running and the host operating system is not included in the cycle, pressing the hot key has no effect.

    The hot key for cycling through virtual machines is defined in the global configuration file (config.ini).

    Two options control cycling.

    FullScreenSwitch.cycleKey
    The value of this option defines the hot key. It is specified as <key>,<modifier>. There is no default.

    For example, to use the Pause key with no modifier to cycle through virtual machines, add the following line to the config.ini file, or modify its value if the option is already listed.

    FullScreenSwitch.cycleKey = "0x13,0x0"

    FullScreenSwitch.cycleHost
    The value of this option determines whether the host operating system is included in the cycle. Possible values are true and false. The default value is false.

    For example, to include the host operating system in the cycle, add the following line to the config.ini file, or modify its value if the option is already listed:

    FullScreenSwitch.cycleHost = "TRUE"

    Hot Keys for Switching Directly to Virtual Machines and the Host Computer

    You can specify a hot key or hot key combination for switching directly to any available virtual machine on a host computer. Each time you press the specified hot key, the screen display switches to that of the specified virtual machine. You may also specify a hot key for switching directly to the host operating system.

    If any particular virtual machine is not running, pressing the hot key for that virtual machine has no effect.

    You define the hot key used to switch to a virtual machine by adding a line to the target virtual machine's configuration (.vmx) file. The value of this option defines the hot key. It is specified as <key>,<modifier>. There is no default.

    For example, to use Ctrl-Shift-F1 to switch to a particular virtual machine, add the following line to that virtual machine's .vmx file, or modify its value if the option is already listed.

    FullScreenSwitch.directKey = "0x70,0x6"

    You define the hot key used to switch to the host operating system by adding a line to the global configuration file (config.ini). The value of this option defines the hot key. It is specified as <key>,<modifier>. There is no default.

    For example, to use Ctrl-Shift-F9 to switch to the host operating system, add the following line to the config.ini file, or modify its value if the option is already listed.

    FullScreenSwitch.hostDirectKey = "0x78,0x6"

    Other Entries in the Global Configuration File

    The following entries in the global configuration file (config.ini) are optional. They enable you to control certain functions of the virtual machine that are important in work environments where virtual machines need to be isolated from each other and from the host computer.

    Isolation.tools.copy.enable
    The value of this option determines whether data in one virtual machine or the host operating system can be copied in a way that allows it to be transferred to another virtual machine or to the host operating system. Possible values are true (such copying is allowed) and false (such copying is not allowed). The default value is true. The setting for this option should be the same as the setting for Isolation.tools.paste.enable (below).

    Isolation.tools.paste.enable
    The value of this option determines whether data copied in one virtual machine or the host operating system can be pasted into another virtual machine or the host operating system. Possible values are true (such pasting is allowed) and false (such pasting is not allowed). The default value is true. The setting for this option should be the same as the setting for Isolation.tools.copy.enable (above).

    Isolation.tools.HGFS.disable
    The value of this option determines whether virtual machines can be configured with shared folders, for sharing files among virtual machines and with the host computer. Possible values are true (shared folders are disabled) and false (shared folders are enabled). The default value is false.

    The following entries are required in the global configuration file (config.ini) and must not be changed:

    mks.ctlAltDel.ignore = "TRUE"

    mks.fullscreen.allowScreenSaver = "TRUE"

    fullScreenSwitch.onSeparateDesktop = "TRUE"

    msg.autoAnswer = "TRUE"

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