Startup program entry details:

vmware-tray (vmware-tray.exe)

This page expands upon the information already available for this entry in the Pacman's Portal Windows start-up programs database.

User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

For further information on how to identify and disable startup programs please visit the Introduction page.

Description:

System Tray access to virtual machines (VMs) currently in a "powered on" state in VMware Workstation - which "makes it simple to create and run multiple virtual machines on your desktop or laptop computer". Can be helpful if VMs are configured to run "headless" at Windows startup, in which case it can help you interact with the headless VMs. In that case, VMs could be powered on headless without ever starting up Workstation. If VMs aren't configured to run headless it isn't really required

Startup information:

Registry (Start → Run → regedit)

• Key(s): HKLM\Run
• Name: vmware-tray
• Data: "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-tray.exe"

MSConfig (Start → Run → msconfig → Startup)

• Startup Item (XP): vmware-tray
• Startup Item (Vista/7): VMware Workstation
• Command: "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-tray.exe"

Windows Defender (Start → All Programs → Windows Defender → Tools → Software Explorer)

• Name: VMware Workstation
• Startup Value: "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-tray.exe"

HijackThis (HJT) log examples:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vmware-tray] "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-tray.exe"

Other information:

• File location: %ProgramFiles%\VMware\VMware Workstation
• File properties "Description": VMware Tray Process
• Purpose: Virtual Machine manager
• Program disable option:
  • Edit → Preferences → Show tray icon → select "Never"
  • Edit → Preferences → Workspace → deselect "Show tray icon when virtual machines are powered on"
• Shortcut(s) available: Start Menu, Desktop & Quick Launch (both optional)
• Vendor/Publisher: VMWare, Inc.
• Product(s): VMware Workstation
• Tested: Yes

Note:

• %ProgramFiles% - refers to the Program Files folder; typically the path is C:\Program Files
• HKLM refers to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

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