Linux – Copy & paste from linux guest to windows host fails

copy/pastedrag and dropkde-4linuxvmware-workstation

I am running linux (Gentoo 3.15.5-hardened-r2) as a guest under VMware workstation 9.0.2, the host is Windows 7 Enterprise. My desktop environment in the linux guest ist KDE 4.12.5. I use the open-vm-tools 2013.09.16.1328054-r3 (VMware tools are simply too much trouble and pain to build).

The Problem

I can copy stuff (files and clipboard contents) from other VMs and the host into the linux guest, even using drag & drop, but the other way fails. I can copy text and images from the clip board if I press Shift+Ctrl to release mouse and keyboard from the guest. But copying files or drag & drop doesn't work at all. Moreover, when I try to leave the guest window with the mouse, the mouse appears to "stick" at the edge of the guest (the mouse pointer is "flung" back into the guest window a couple of times until I can proceed, the exact behavior varies).

This all used to work once without any trouble (older version of VMware workstation, VMware tools, linux kernel, KDE, Qt, etc.).

VMware guest isolation settings are enabled for drag & drop and for copy & paste. Rebooting and restarting everything does not improve anything. vmtoolsd is running.

Any suggestions?

N.B. Updating VMware workstation is not an option.

Best Answer

Try the below steps,

  • Go into VM / Settings / Options / Guest Isolation
  • UNCHECK both checkboxes (Enable drag and drop, Enable copy and paste) and click OK
  • Shut down the guest, and shut down VMware Workstation
  • Reboot the host computer
  • Run VMware Workstation but do not launch the guest yet
  • Go into VM / Settings / Options / Guest Isolation for the guest, and CHECK both checkboxes
  • Power On the guest

The above steps have proved to be successful for other facing the same issue. This is actually copy/pasted from here

Note: This issue appears more to be an issue rather than anything related to config, and you already have the configs right.

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