Help Center> Image Management Service> FAQ> Image Optimization> Why Do I Need to Install and Update VMTools for Windows?
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Why Do I Need to Install and Update VMTools for Windows?

Why Do I Need to Install VMTools?

VMTools is a VirtIO driver (para-virtualization driver) that provides high-performance disks and NICs for ECSs.

  • A standard Windows OS does not have the VirtIO driver.
  • Public images provided on the platform have VMTools by default.
  • You need to install VMTools for private images. For details, see Installing UVP VMTools.

Why Do I Need to Update VMTools?

The platform periodically synchronizes issue-fixed versions from the virtio community and releases updated versions every month. This ensures that known issues found in the community or R&D tests can be avoided on the latest driver.

When Do I Need to Update VMTools?

  • If a major error is fixed, you are advised to update VMTools immediately. (This has not happened by now.) If other issues are fixed, choose whether to update VMTools based on your needs.
  • The platform updates the VMTools stored in the OBS bucket on a regular basis to ensure that the VMTools you download when creating private images is the latest version.
  • Public images on the platform are updated on a regular basis to ensure that the latest version of VMTools is installed.
  • The document is updated on a regular basis in accordance with VMTools in the OBS bucket to ensure that the download link of VMTools provided in the document is the latest.

What Operations Do I Need to Perform?

  • Update Windows private images or drivers in running Windows ECSs as prompted.
  • If you have any technical issue or question, contact the customer service.
Parent topic: Image Optimization