One of the important features that VMware Tools has is the ability to copy data from the virtual machine to the host operating system or vice-versa. Here are the steps of how to install VMware Tools
(source: https://www.ghacks.net/2019/11/08/how-to-install-vmware-tools-if-the-option-is-grayed-out/):
- Start the Virtual Machine. Click on “Player” -> “Manage” -> “Install VMware Tools…”.
- If the “Install VMware Tools…” is greyed out, power off the Virtual Machine.
- Go to “Player” -> “Manage” -> “Virtual Machine Settings…”
- Highlight “CD/DVD (SATA)”, then click “Remove”.
- Do the same for “Floppy” Drive.
- After that click “Add” button and select “CD/DVD Drive”. Click “Finish”.
- The right pane of new added “CD/DVD Drive” should now have the option “Use physical drive > Auto detect” enabled. Click “OK” to close the window.
- Now start the Virtual Machine again. After it has booted up to the desktop, go to “Player” -> “Manage” -> “Instal VMware Tools…”. The option should no longer be greyed out. Click on it to install the VMware Tools.