Support for Windows 7 and the Aero theme
Article ID: 306808
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Environment
VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)
VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion 5.x
VMware Workstation 7.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 7.x (Windows)
VMware Player 6.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 10.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion 3.x
VMware Player Pro 7.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 15.x (Windows)
VMware Fusion 10.x
VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Fusion 7.x
VMware Player 4.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion 4.x
VMware Workstation 8.x (Windows)
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Player 3.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)
VMware Player 3.x (Windows )
VMware Player 5.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 11.x (for Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 15.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 8.x (Linux)
VMware Player 7.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)
VMware Player Pro 7.x (Windows)
VMware Player 6.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Fusion Pro 8.x
VMware Player 4.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)
VMware Player 5.x (Windows)
Resolution
The Aero theme
The Aero theme is only supported in guest operating system running under Workstation 7 and later, Fusion 3 and later, or Player 3 and later.
Previous versions of Workstation and Fusion did not provide a virtual graphics adapter that was capable of displaying the Aero theme. This applies to all versions of Window running in a guest operating system that are able to display the theme natively. At present, this includes Windows Vista, Windows 2008, and Windows 7.
The technical reason for this was that, until recently, VMware did not provide a compatible DirectX 9 virtual graphic adapter with the required Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver. There were some additional requirements. For more information, see Windows Vista Enterprise Hardware Planning Guidance.
Windows 7
Windows 7 is a supported guest operating system only for Workstation 7 and later, Fusion 3 and later, or Player 3 and later. It is also a supported host operating system for Workstation 7 and later and Player 3 and later.
Windows 7 is an unsupported guest operating system for all previous versions of Workstation, Fusion, and Player. It was also an unsupported host operating system for computer's running previous versions of Workstation and Player.
Using Windows 7 in your environment with anything prior to Workstation 7, Fusion 3, or Player 3 may cause unexpected results and is not recommended.
If you choose to use Windows 7 it is recommended that you upgrade to the most recent release of your product. If you continue to use an older version and experience unexpected results, consult our community forums to see if anybody else has experienced the same thing and has a solution.
Note: This search link was correct as of September 6, 2014. If you find the link is broken, please provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.
Additional Information
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