What is vmware-tray.exe?

vmware-tray.exe is an executable file that is part of the VMware Workstation software. This file is also known as the VMware Tray Process. It is typically located in the C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation directory.

VMware Workstation is a hosted hypervisor that runs on x64 versions of Windows and Linux operating systems. It allows users to set up and use virtual machines, which are emulations of computer systems. These virtual machines can run different operating systems on the same physical computer, allowing for testing, development, system recovery, and more.

The vmware-tray.exe process is needed if you are using VMware Workstation, as it is part of the software's functionality. If you are not using VMware Workstation, or if the vmware-tray.exe process is causing problems (such as using too much CPU or memory), you may choose to remove it. Always ensure that the process is not malware disguised under the same name before deciding to remove it. If you are unsure, use a trusted antivirus software to scan the file.

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Vmware-tray.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with vmware-tray — Vmware-tray.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as VMware Tray Process belongs to software VMware Workstation by VMware (www.vmware.com).

Description: Vmware-tray.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The file vmware-tray.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)" (mostly C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\). Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 112,200 bytes (12% of all occurrences), 104,600 bytes and 20 more variants.
The file has a digital signature. The vmware-tray.exe file is not a Windows core file. The software starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run). The program is not visible. Therefore the technical security rating is 29% dangerous; but you should also compare this rating with the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: The developer Vmware provides a support site for assistance ^[1][2], and an uninstaller (Control Panel ⇒ Uninstall a Program ⇒ VMware, Inc. or VMware Workstation).

Recommended: Identify vmware-tray.exe related errors

If vmware-tray.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 16% dangerous. The file size is 104,528 bytes. Vmware-tray.exe is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. Vmware-tray.exe is a Verisign signed file. The file has a digital signature. You can uninstall this program in the Control Panel. The application starts when Windows starts (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run).
Uninstalling this variant: If you have any problems with vmware-tray.exe, you can also go to the software publisher, www.vmware.com, for advice or uninstall the software VMware Workstation using the Uninstall a Program function of Windows Control Panel (Windows: Start, Settings, Control Panel, Uninstall a Program).
If vmware-tray.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\, the security rating is 50% dangerous. The file size is 119,856 bytes. The program is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: MACHINE\Run). Vmware-tray.exe is not a Windows core file. The program is not visible.
If vmware-tray.exe is located in the user's profile folder, the security rating is 46% dangerous. The file size is 114,368 bytes.

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as vmware-tray.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the vmware-tray.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

It's a Virtual-Machine process.
Abdi

Summary: Average user rating of vmware-tray.exe: based on 1 vote with 1 user comment. One user thinks vmware-tray.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.

Best practices for resolving vmware-tray issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with vmware-tray. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the vmware-tray.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

Other processes

solutoservice.exe simpleadblock.dll msisleepservice.exe vmware-tray.exe tuccd.exe dptfpolicylpmservicehelper.exe wpsupdate.exe ctskmstr.exe aswlsvc.exe amdxata.sys spywatch.exe [all]

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