• Transfer files between the host PC and VMs
• Use your VMs in KVM mode

With VMware Workstation and VMware Tools, you can print a document, image, or other information from a virtual machine to a printer connected to the physical PC (even if it's not a network printer).

Note that previously, this redirection was possible thanks to the installation of VMware Tools in the guest OS.
However, since version 15 of VMware Workstation Pro and Player (the free version), this is no longer included in VMware Tools.

To continue using this feature, you will also need to install : VMware Virtual Printer (available from the VMware Workstation interface when virtual printers are enabled).

Warning : the "Virtual Printer" feature no longer exists since version 17.5.0 of VMware Workstation Pro.
Source : VMware Workstation 17.5 Pro Release Notes.
If you want to use this feature, you will need to use version 17.0.2 of VMware Workstation Pro (latest version supporting this feature).

1. Enable the Virtual printer feature
2. Enabling the Printer component in the VM settings
3. Redirecting the default printer of the host PC

1. Enable the Virtual printer feature

To get started, enable the use of virtual printers in the VMware Workstation preferences.

In the Devices section, you will find a "Virtual printer" section.
Click on "Change Settings".

Click Yes to grant administrator rights to VMware Workstation.

Then, enable this feature by checking the "Enable virtual printers" box.

2. Enabling the Printer component in the VM settings

By default, the Printer component is enabled in the vmx file of virtual machines, but since the global setting is disabled by default on recent versions of VMware Workstation, this component could not work.
Check that this component is enabled for your virtual machine by clicking : Edit virtual machine settings.

Select the Printer component (or add it if it's not present), then check the "Connected" and "Connect at power on" boxes.

Install the VMware Tools in the guest OS if you have not already done so.
Then, if you are using version 15 or later of VMware Workstation, also install "Virtual Printer" from the menu : VM -> Install Virtual Printer.

A "Virtual Printer" virtual CD will appear in the virtual machine's CD/DVD drive.

In this virtual CD, run the program : Virtual-Printer-1.0.0-9972168.exe

Click Yes.

The VMware Virtual Printer Configuration Wizard appears.

Nothing special to do, just click Next at each step.

As you can see, this feature of VMware works through ThinPrint drivers.

And that's it, the installation is complete.

Note that a restart will be required at the end of the installation of VMware Virtual Printer.

3. Redirecting the default printer of the host PC

On our physical PC, we have access to an "HP DeskJet 3630 series" printer which is a network printer, but it works with any physical printer available on the host PC.

If you look in the devices and printers of the guest OS, you will see that that of the printer host PC is not there.

Attempt to print a document or web page from any program installed on the guest OS.

And you will see that the host PC printer will appear : hp3630 (HP DeskJet 3630 series)#:5