• Print from virtual machines
• Applications integration (Unity mode)

3. Stop VMware virtual machines in KVM Mode

Because virtual machines run in the background in VMware KVM mode and there is no toolbar in that mode, you only have 2 options to shut down one of the virtual machines.

The first option is to simply stop the guest OS via the "Shut down" option of the guest operating system.
The 2nd option is to use the "--power-off" setting of VMware KVM to shut down the guest operating system properly :

Batch

vmware-kvm.exe --power-off "I:\VMs\Windows 8 x64 Pro\Windows 8 x64 Pro.vmx"

Once the guest OS is stopped, the virtual machine will disappear from the tray icon.

4. Detach a virtual machine from VMware KVM mode

As mentioned earlier, KVM mode lets you run virtual machines in the background while using them in full screen using the keyboard shortcut defined in VMware KVM.
However, since these virtual machines are used by VMware KVM, you can't control them from VMware Workstation as well.

Moreover, if you try to access one of these virtual machines via the VMware tray icon or from VMware Workstation, an error will be displayed :

Plain Text

This virtual machine appears to be in use.

If this virtual machine is not in use, press the "Take Ownership" button to obtain ownership of it. Otherwise, press the "Cancel" button to avoid damaging it.

Click Cancel.

To release this virtual machine, you must detach it from KVM mode by using the "--detach" parameter :

Batch

vmware-kvm.exe --detach "I:\VMs\Windows 10 x64 Pro\Windows 10 x64 Pro.vmx"

Then, you can use it again from VMware Workstation without having to restart it.
Only little problem, VMware will release it in the state where it was and therefore with the resolution that corresponds to your full screen resolution.
To fix this little problem, the easiest way is to resize the window to an acceptable size, then click on "View -> Fit Guest Now" so that the guest OS adapts to the size defined via the host PC.

Then, change the resolution from the guest OS to use a standard resolution.
In Windows 10, right-click on the desktop and click : Display settings.

Then, on : Advanced display settings.

And finally, select the desired resolution and click Apply.

And that's it, the resolution is correct.

As you can see, the "vmware-kvm.exe" process has disappeared since no virtual machine is currently running in KVM mode.

However, be aware that you can exit KVM mode simply by using the "--exit" parameter.

Batch

vmware-kvm.exe --exit

5. Switch a VMware Workstation virtual machine to KVM mode

If you have launched a virtual machine in VMware Workstation and it's currently open in this program, you will not be able to use it in KVM mode.

Indeed, this error will be displayed :

Plain Text

Failed to open the virtual machine "[Virtual machine path\vmx file name]": The virtual machine appears to be in use.

To put the virtual machine in KVM mode without shutting it down first, simply place it in the background from VMware Workstation.
To do this, close the tab for the desired virtual machine or try to close the "VMware Workstation" program by clicking on the cross at the top right of the window, then click on "Run in Background".

Then, use the usual command to load it into VMware KVM :

Batch

vmware-kvm.exe "I:\VMs\Windows 8 x64 Pro\Windows 8 x64 Pro.vmx"