VMware Workstation does not support the multiple monitors feature in Other guests

VMware Workstation Pro has a feature named “Cycle multiple monitors” that lets you configure your Virtual Machine to use multiple monitors. To use the multiple monitors feature of VMware Workstation Pro, your Virtual Machine should be running in full-screen mode. Some users are not able to use the multiple monitors feature of VMware Workstation Pro. When they click on the “Cycle multiple monitors” icon, they receive the “VMware Workstation does not support the multiple monitors feature in Other guests” message. If you encounter this error message while using the multiple monitors feature in VMware Workstation Pro, the solutions provided in this article will help you fix this problem.

VMware Workstation does not support the multiple monitors feature in Other guests

Follow the suggestions provided below to fix the “VMware Workstation does not support the multiple monitors feature in Other guests” error in VMware Workstation Pro.

1. Switch the color scheme of VMware
2. Install VMware Tools
3. Disable VMware SVGA Helper Service
4. Reposition the secondary monitor
5. Switch to an older version of VMware Workstation Pro

Let’s see all these fixes in detail.

1] Switch the color scheme of VMware Workstation Pro

Changing the color scheme of VMware Workstation Pro has fixed the issue for many users. Hence, it should also work for you too. The following steps will help you change the color scheme of your VMware Workstation Pro.

1. Open VMware Workstation Pro.
2. Go to “Edit > Preferences.”
3. Select the Display category from the left side.
4. Change your color theme and click OK.

2] Install VMware Tools

VMware Tools is a set of services and modules that enables several features in VMware products and enhances the performance of Virtual Machines installed on VMware. It also includes driver-related enhancements and support for new guest operating systems. Installing VMware Tools can help you fix this problem. The steps to do this are listed below:

1. Power on your Virtual Machine.
2. When your Virtual Machine comes in the starting state, log in using your password (if you have set it).
3. Wait for the desktop to load and to be ready. Go to the VMware Workstation and right-click on your Virtual Machine. Go to “Guest OS >Install VMware Tools.”

After performing the above steps, an ISO CD-ROM image containing the VMware Tools will be mounted to your Virtual Machine. Now, open File Explorer on your Virtual Machine and look for the ISO CD-ROM image. Double-click on it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of VMware Tools.

3] Disable VMware SVGA Helper Service

The multiple monitor issue might be occurring due to SVGA driver incompatibility. The SVGA driver is responsible for the display graphics in Virtual Machines installed on VMware. If this driver is incompatible with your VMware, you may experience graphics-related issues on your Virtual Machines.

The SVGA incompatibility is fixed by installing VMware Tools. But if this does not work, disabling the SVGA Helper Service can fix the problem. Open the Services Manager on your host computer and see if this service is there. If yes, disable it. The steps to disable this service are as follows:

1. Shut down the Virtual Machine.
2. Close VMware.
3. Press the Win + R keys to launch the Run command box.
4. Type services.msc and click OK.
5. Locate the VMware SVGA Helper Service.
6. Right-click on it and select Properties.
7. Now, select Disabled in the Startup type drop-down.
8. Click Apply and then click OK.

Restart your computer (the host machine) and then check if the issue is fixed.

4] Reposition the secondary monitor

You are not able to use the multiple “monitors feature” in VMware Virtual Machines. One possible cause of this issue is monitor misconfiguration. Windows 11/10 lets you arrange your multiple monitors. Open your Windows 11/10 host machine Settings and rearrange your monitors. You may have to do this more than one time to fix the issue.

5] Switch to an older version of VMware Workstation Pro

If none of the above solutions fix the issue, switch to the older version of VMware. You can download the previous build of VMware from the official website. This should help.

Read: VMware Workstation Pro can’t run on Windows 11/10.

Does VMware support multiple monitors?

VMware Workstation Pro supports multiple monitors feature. To use multiple monitors on your Virtual installed on VMware, you have to enable the Cycle Multiple Monitors feature in VMware Workstation Pro. But to enable it, your Virtual Machine should be running in full-screen mode. If you use VMware Horizon, you have to turn on the Use Multi Monitors option in VMware settings.

How do I set up multiple monitors in VMware?

You can set up multiple monitors on VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Horizon. To use multiple monitors for one Virtual Machine, you have to enable the Cycle Multiple Monitors feature in VMware Workstation Pro and the Use Multi Monitors option in VMware Horizon.

I hope the solutions explained in this article helped you fix the problem.

Read next: How to use dual monitor with VMware virtual machine.