VMware Tools installation fails when Easy Install is in progress

VMware Tools installation cannot be started manually while the easy install is in progress.

Installing VMware Tools fails

You see the error: VMware Tools installation cannot be started manually while the easy install is in progress.

RESOLUTION

This error occurs when the virtual floppy with the autoinstall information required by Easy Install does not unmount properly.
 
To resolve this issue and unmount the virtual floppy:
  1. Power off the virtual machine.
  2. Go to VM > Settings
  3. Select Floppy.
  4. Select Use physical drive, and set the dropdown to Auto detect.

    This unmounts the virtual floppy from the virtual drive.

  5. Power on the virtual machine and install VMware Tools. 
If the same error persists when trying to install VMware Tools, delete and re-add the virtual floppy drive and the virtual CD/DVD drive.
 
To delete and re-add the drives:
  1. Power off the virtual machine.
  2. Go to VM > Settings
  3. Select CD/DVD.
  4. Make a note of the current settings for this device, then click Remove.
  5. Click Add.
  6. Select CD/DVD, and click Next.
  7. Select the settings you noted previously (or you can set them later), and click Next > Finish.
  8. Select Floppy.
  9. Make a note of the current settings for this device, then click Remove.
  10. Click Add.
  11. Select Floppy, and click Next.
  12. Select the settings you noted previously (or you can set them later), and click Next > Finish.
  13. Power on the virtual machine and install VMware Tools.