2021-01-21, 16:39:06
Hi Martijn,
VMware's shared virtual machine feature is going to be removed from VMware Workstation.
The configuration to use Shared VM's was already removed in Workstation 16.0, but it has returned -in a limited way- in Workstation 16.1.
You can still use Shared VM's in Workstation 16.1, but you cannot create new VM's.
From what I've been told it will however not make it past Workstation 16.x
On Linux it is even already gone.
In its first incarnation vimarun mainly is a utility to easily start (and stop) virtual machines with your host.
Functionality is going to improve over time.
Some links:
https://vimarun.com/documentation/what-is-vimarun/
https://vimarun.com/documentation/how-does-it-work/
As you found out already, by using task manager to start your VM, it will never be able to have a user interface.
It is technically not possible due to the employed security model in Windows since MS Vista. The reason it works for VMware shared virtual machines, is because they are in control of the full user interface API and they serve up the UI over an internal API. Not something we can use (or depend on it to be still available in the near future).
Vimarun has a workaround for that where it will suspend/resume the VM for you automatically when you login so that the VM comes up with its user interface, instead of the black screen.
Another thing with scripts is that properly monitoring for a shut down is tricky. This can be done much more reliably by using a Windows service.
Of course as with many things, you can script your own solution. There's nothing wrong with that if you don't mind to spent the time to set it up and maintain.
People who do not want (or can) spent the time on scripting a solution will be able to use vimarun where there is another party who is responsible about making sure it keeps working.
re. forum not accepting links. Not sure what is happening there.
According to the forum settings you should be able to do so, but I might be overlooking something.
--
Wil
VMware's shared virtual machine feature is going to be removed from VMware Workstation.
The configuration to use Shared VM's was already removed in Workstation 16.0, but it has returned -in a limited way- in Workstation 16.1.
You can still use Shared VM's in Workstation 16.1, but you cannot create new VM's.
From what I've been told it will however not make it past Workstation 16.x
On Linux it is even already gone.
In its first incarnation vimarun mainly is a utility to easily start (and stop) virtual machines with your host.
Functionality is going to improve over time.
Some links:
https://vimarun.com/documentation/what-is-vimarun/
https://vimarun.com/documentation/how-does-it-work/
As you found out already, by using task manager to start your VM, it will never be able to have a user interface.
It is technically not possible due to the employed security model in Windows since MS Vista. The reason it works for VMware shared virtual machines, is because they are in control of the full user interface API and they serve up the UI over an internal API. Not something we can use (or depend on it to be still available in the near future).
Vimarun has a workaround for that where it will suspend/resume the VM for you automatically when you login so that the VM comes up with its user interface, instead of the black screen.
Another thing with scripts is that properly monitoring for a shut down is tricky. This can be done much more reliably by using a Windows service.
Of course as with many things, you can script your own solution. There's nothing wrong with that if you don't mind to spent the time to set it up and maintain.
People who do not want (or can) spent the time on scripting a solution will be able to use vimarun where there is another party who is responsible about making sure it keeps working.
re. forum not accepting links. Not sure what is happening there.
According to the forum settings you should be able to do so, but I might be overlooking something.
--
Wil