Because this issue is so common, the critical information from KB 78708 has been widely quoted and mirrored across the internet by technical blogs, forums, and Q&A sites. A simple web search for a phrase from the article, such as "VMware tools upgrade fails on windows without sha-2 code signing support (78708)" , will bring up many results. Sites like Programmer Sought, CSDN, and Juejin often have complete reproductions of the article's content.
Double-click and install first to upgrade the system's servicing stack. Once completed, install the KB4474419 update package.
Windows prompts that the driver signature is invalid or missing. Log files indicate Signature verification failed . Solution: How to Apply the Fix (KB 78708)
This issue commonly arises when trying to upgrade to , and it is explicitly covered in the freely available VMware KB Article 78708 . kbvmware s article 78708 free
This article provides a comprehensive overview of why this happens and how to fix it without needing a premium support contract. The Root Cause: SHA-2 Code Signing
| | Details | |------------|--------------| | Issue | VMware Tools 11.1.x fails to install on Windows 7 SP1/Server 2008 R2 SP1 | | Cause | Microsoft's exclusive use of SHA-2 for driver signing after Dec 3, 2019 | | Solution | Install KB4474419 and KB4490628 Windows updates | | Workaround | Use VMware Tools 11.0.6 first, then upgrade Windows, then upgrade Tools | | Accessibility | KB 78708 is freely available to all VMware users | | Free VMware Access | ESXi free edition availability has changed; check Broadcom's latest policies |
The KB platform is continuously updated with new troubleshooting information. If you cannot find specific solutions in the primary KB article, related articles can be found through the KB site search or by exploring linked resources within each article. Because this issue is so common, the critical
Double-click and install (Servicing Stack Update) first. Double-click and install KB4474419 (SHA-2 Support Update).
: VMware often releases updates that improve log management and automatic cleanup routines.
On your hypervisor menu platform (such as vSphere Client or VMware Workstation), click > Guest OS > Install/Upgrade VMware Tools . Double-click and install first to upgrade the system's
So, why should you care about KBVMware and Article 78708? Here are just a few benefits of using these resources:
VMware Knowledge Base article 78708 is a critical resource for system administrators managing VMware vCenter Server Appliances (VCSA). It provides a specific script and set of procedures designed to identify and remove unnecessary files that often bloat the appliance’s storage partitions. When these partitions reach 100% capacity, the vCenter services frequently fail to start, leading to management downtime. Why Your VMware Appliance Runs Out of Space