How to start vmware workstation?

On previous versions of VMware, you could simply click the X on the player window, and an option pops up asking if you want to run it in the background. I’m not sure why they removed this feature in Workstation 16, but this is a simple way to achieve the same effect.Other useful guides:

By default, VMware should be running at C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation. Inside that folder is a VMrun.exe.

Once confirmed that is correct, you can move onto the next step.

Browse to the path where your virtual machine configuration file (.vmx) is stored. In this example, I am going to automatically start Home Assistant after rebooting my Windows 10 host PC.

Mine is located in C:\HomeAssistant:

This option will automatically launch your Home Assistant VM after logging into your PC. To do this, we will be creating a simple batch file and placing it into the Startup folder. If using a USB zwave/zigbee dongle (I’m using the Nortek GoControl), then make sure to follow this guide to automatically connect USB drives to VMware Workstation.

Go to your desktop. Right-click > Create new text document.

Double-click to open, and then paste this command. You will need to change the path to your own .vmx file.

The nogui at the end tells VMware to run the Home Assistant virtual machine without opening the VMware Workstation Player window, which means it will run in the background.

Then save the file. File > Save As > and then change the “Save as Type” to All Files.

Name the file something like Autostart Home Assistant.bat.

The last step is to move the batch file to your Startup folder. This is a folder where programs will automatically start after you log into your computer or server.

Open Run > type Shell:Common Startup

Simply drag and drop the batch file into this folder and click Yes on the Administrator prompt.

Congratulations – Home Assistant will now run in the background without the GUI after logging in!

This option will automatically start Home Assistant after your computer reboots, without you needing to login. This would be useful if your PC reboots for updates or if you lose power.If you are a using a USB zwave/zigbee dongle (I’m using the Nortek GoControl), then make sure to follow this guide to automatically connect USB drives to VMware Workstation first.Create a batch file just like you would’ve done in Option 1. Save it to a folder like C:\Scripts. Then, create a scheduled task to run the batch file by following the guide below.

For Option 1: Reboot your computer and login. If all goes well, your Home Assistant VM (or whatever VM you want) should startup automatically in the background, without the VM Workstation GUI!

For Option 2: Reboot your computer but do not log in. Wait about 1-2 minutes, then open the Home Assistant mobile app. If all goes well, the scheduled task should’ve ran and your Home Assistant VM should be running in the background without a gui!

During your testing, you should toggle both zwave and zigbee devices to ensure the USB drive was detected.

Let me know in the comments below if this guide helped you out!

Here is some of the gear I use in my Homelab. I highly recommend each of them.

The full list of server components I use can be found on my Equipment List page.

• The installer creates a desktop shortcut, a quick launch shortcut, or a combination of these options in addition to a Start Menu item.
• To start VMware Workstation on a Windows host system, select Start > Programs > VMware Workstation.

To setup your VMware Player VM as a Windows Service with AlwaysUp: