Determining VMware Software Version and Build Number

VMware products use unique build numbers for each product release.

Depending on which VMware product you are running, there are several ways to determine the version information.

• From the menu: Choose Help > About if you are using any of the following applications.
  • ACE
  • GSX Server for Windows
  • Remote Console for Windows
  • VirtualCenter Client
  • Virtual Machine Console for Windows
  • Workstation for Windows
    
• In the ESX 4.0 service console: Get summary information about the system level of the system by typing vmware -l. For more information on determining detailed build number information for ESX hosts, see KB 1001179.
  
• In the ESX Server 3.5 service console: Get summary information about the base build number and subsequently installed patches by typing esxupdate query at the command line. For more information on determining detailed build number information for ESX Server hosts, see KB 1001179.
  
• From the command line: Get the information by typing vmware -v at a command prompt in the host operating system while running any of the following:
  • GSX Server for Windows
  • GSX Server for Linux
  • Workstation for Windows
  • Workstation for Linux
• Note: On Windows systems, include the full path to vmware.exe. For example, type (including the quotes):
  "c:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware" -v
  
• Use the Management Interface: If you are using ESX Server or GSX Server, log onto the Management Interface. After you successfully log on, the product version information appears in the upper left corner of the page.

To identify which version of VirtualCenter Server you are running, type (including the quotes):
"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\vpxd.exe" -v

Note: The path shown above is the default. Adjust it to suit your particular installation.

VMware Tools releases also have build numbers. To identify the build number of the VMware Tools release:

• When running VMware Tools in a Windows virtual machine, right-click the VMware Tools icon (generally in the system tray at the end of the taskbar), click Open VMware Tools and select About.
  
  
• When running VMware Tools in a Linux or FreeBSD virtual machine, start vmware-toolbox in X-windows and choose Help > About.
  
  
• To check the version of VMware Tools in a NetWare virtual machine:
  • In X-windows, click Novell > Settings > VMware Tools for NetWare, then click the VMware Tools tab.
  • At a console prompt, type:
    vmwtool version