The definitive solution to this issue is detailed in the official . The required Microsoft updates are available as completely free downloads from the official Microsoft Update Catalog. Root Cause: The SHA-1 to SHA-2 Transition
The issue affects , which include driver packages signed exclusively with SHA-2. kbvmware s article 78708 free
VMware KB 78708 addresses a critical compatibility issue between modern VMware products and legacy Windows operating systems. The core problem, a driver signing mismatch, is easily resolved by updating the guest OS. More importantly, while Broadcom has placed the official KB page behind a paywall, the essential technical information and solutions are freely available. By using the legacyId=78708 URL or the Internet Archive, you can access the official guidance without any cost. With this guide, you have all the tools and knowledge needed to get VMware Tools working perfectly on your Windows 7 virtual machine, completely free of charge. The definitive solution to this issue is detailed
With the guest OS successfully patched, trigger your VMware Tools deployment: VMware KB 78708 addresses a critical compatibility issue