For a bit more information See VMware KB 78655. So if you deploy the Windows 7 SP1 x32 ISO (which doesn’t have the SHA-2 patch) the vmtools install will fail because it cannot validate the drivers.

As Workstation 16 released updates it too included updated VMtools that were complaint with the Microsoft SHA-2 requirements. Starting September 2019, Microsoft added SHA-2 algorithm requirements for driver signing. You may recall that Workstation 16.0.0 could install Windows 7SP1 x32 without any additional intervention. So what changed and why all these extra steps? There are a few tricks when installing Windows 7 x32 on to Workstation 16.1.2 and in this blog I’ll cover the the steps I took. I then tried to install VMware tools manually but it failed. After installing Windows 7 x32 I noticed VMware tools is grayed out. This past weekend I needed to install Windows 7 x32 to support some older software. Remember Virtual Machine means it's Virtual so it's not really installed on your computer so your not using the true software or Operating System itself, your merely testing it.Tips for installing Windows 7 x32 SP1 on Workstation 16.1.2 I don't recommend it as a replacement for other software or Operating Systems. The only other true downside to VMWare Player is it can cause your internet connection to become unstable.I recommend only installig VMWare Player for testing new things out. This is especially useful for testing software or operating systems before committing to using them.The only downsides to VMWare Player is the fact there are as many different virtual machines as you would like.

You can log in, and do everything like you would if you had Ubuntu itself installed on your computer. For instance you can use Ubuntu inside VMWare player. It allows you to install different virtual machines onto you computer without installing the software itself. If your someone who likes to try things before committing to installing them than VMWare p layer is for you. Allows You To Use Other Operating Systems In Windows.

Vm player windows 7