VMware Tools 10.3.2 Released Fixing PSOD with 10.3.0 : @VMblog

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VMware Tools 10.3.2 Released Fixing PSOD with 10.3.0

In case you missed this important announcement, VMware has recalled VMware Tools 10.3.0 because of a "functional issue with 10.3.0 in ESXi 6.5." The VMware knowledge base article, "VMware Tools Version 10.3.0 Recall and Workaround Recommendations (57796)," described the problem by stating:

In certain configurations, the VMXNET3 driver released with VMware Tools 10.3.0 can result in a Purple Diagnostic Screen (PSOD) or guest network connectivity loss.

And nobody wants to see the Purple Screen of Death.

As a result of the severity of issues identified in the VMXNET3 driver released with VMware Tools 10.3.0, VMware has recalled this release and it is no longer available for download.

The KB article says, "Action is required if you have deployed VMware Tools 10.3.0 and all of the following are true:

vSphere ESXi 6.5 hosts
VM Hardware Version 13
Windows 8/Windows Server 2012 or higher guest OS

If that's the case, then VMware recommends uninstalling VMware Tools 10.3.0 and replacing it.

The good news is that VMware has now released a new version that solves the PSOD problem and adds additional functionality as well, version 10.3.2.

VMware Tools 10.3.2 adds:

Integration of VMware AppDefense: The VMware Tools installation includes the VMware AppDefense, a security management and monitoring solution. This data center security solution is based on application control, detection, and response. The AppDefense agent can be installed on the guest virtual machine using the VMware Tools installer; but you must still install the AppDefense component manually.

Changes in the OpenGL driver: OpenGL driver has been updated for bug fixes and performance improvements
- Vertex buffer object (VBO) optimization
- Display list drawing optimization

VMware Tools lifecycle using driver update from Windows Update server: This integration will allow you to update the PVSCSI driver during a Windows update. This feature supports PVSCSI for Windows Server 2016 only.

Shared folders: FUSE-based Shared Folders client which is used as a replacement for the kernel mode client supports Linux distributions with kernel version 3.10 and later.