VMware VMWare Workstation Player SYS hcmon.sys

Hcmon.sys: How to Fix, Download, and Update

Last Updated: 11/25/2023
[Average Read Time: 4.5 minutes]

The development of VMware USB monitor by VMware prompted the latest creation of hcmon.sys. It is also known as a VMware USB monitor file (file extension SYS), which is classified as a type of Win64 EXE (Driver) file.

The first release in the Windows 10 Operating System for hcmon.sys was on 04/04/2017 inside VMware Workstation 12.5.5. The newest file release date for VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1 was 09/19/2019 [version 8.11.7.0].

Below, you find comprehensive file information, instructions for simple SYS file troubleshooting, and list of free hcmon.sys downloads for each available file version.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)

File Overview

General Information ^✻
File Name:	hcmon.sys
File Extension:	SYS file extension
Description:	VMware USB monitor
Object File Type:	Driver
File Operating System:	Windows NT 32-bit
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:

Developer and Software Information
Software Developer:	VMware, Inc.
Software Program:	VMware USB monitor
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 1998-2019 VMware, Inc.

File Details
Character Set:	Unicode
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
File Flags:	(none)
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
Entry Point:	0x12514
Code Size:	47616

View Other hcmon.sys Information

File Info	Description
File Size:	82 kB
File Modification Date/Time:	2020:02:04 08:14:27+00:00
File Type:	Win64 EXE
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
Time Stamp:	2019:04:07 15:15:05+00:00
PE Type:	PE32+
Linker Version:	14.0
Code Size:	47616
Initialized Data Size:	11776
Uninitialized Data Size:	0
Entry Point:	0x12514
OS Version:	10.0
Image Version:	10.0
Subsystem Version:	6.1
Subsystem:	Native
File Version Number:	8.11.7.0
Product Version Number:	8.11.7.0
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
File Flags:	(none)
File OS:	Windows NT 32-bit
Object File Type:	Driver
File Subtype:	7
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
Character Set:	Unicode
Company Name:	VMware, Inc.
File Description:	VMware USB monitor
File Version:	8.11.7.0
Internal Name:	hcmon.sys
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 1998-2019 VMware, Inc.
Product Name:	VMware USB monitor
Product Version:	8.11.7.0 build-13216328

^✻ Portions of file data provided by Exiftool (Phil Harvey) distributed under the Perl Artistic License.

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What are hcmon.sys Error Messages?

hcmon.sys Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Errors

There are a number of reasons why you could be encountering issues with hcmon.sys. Most of the issues concerning sys files involve Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. These types of hcmon.sys errors can be cause by hardware problems, outdated firmware, corrupt drivers, or other software-related (eg. VMWare Workstation Player update) issues. Some of these errors include:

hcmon.sys could not be found.
hcmon.sys failed to load.
The file hcmon.sys is missing or corrupt.
Windows failed to start - hcmon.sys.

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. The problem seems to be caused by the following file: hcmon.sys.

:( Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn't handle, and now needs to restart. You can search for the error online: [BSOD] (hcmon.sys).

STOP 0x0000000A: IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL (hcmon.sys) STOP 0x0000001E: KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED (hcmon.sys) STOP 0x0000003B: SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION (hcmon.sys) STOP 0×0000007A: KERNEL DATA INPAGE (hcmon.sys) STOP 0x0000007E: SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED (hcmon.sys) STOP 0x00000050: PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA (hcmon.sys)

It's Critical to Resolve Blue Screen of Death Errors

In the majority of cases, you will encounter hcmon.sys BSOD errors after you've installed new hardware, software (VMWare Workstation Player), or performed a failed Windows Update. In other cases, software corruption caused by a malware infection can lead to hcmon.sys Blue Screen of Death errors. Therefore, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

GEEK TIP : As a rule of thumb, it's always a good idea to create a Windows "Snapshot" backup / System Restore Point before making any hardware or software changes to your computer. That way, it's very easy to restore your system in the unfortunate event you encounter a hcmon.sys Blue Screen of Death error after recent changes.

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How to Fix hcmon.sys Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your hcmon.sys issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click System Restore.
Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the hcmon.sys error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed VMWare Workstation Player (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling VMWare Workstation Player software.

You can uninstall VMWare Workstation Player software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
Find the entry for VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1 and click "Uninstall"
Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall VMWare Workstation Player software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1

VMware

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many hcmon.sys error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the hcmon.sys error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

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If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your hcmon.sys File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate hcmon.sys file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free hcmon.sys files for every applicable version of VMWare Workstation Player. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download hcmon.sys Files".
Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
Copy this file to the appropriate VMWare Workstation Player folder location:

Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\
Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE\hcmon_52975A864B06AA7CE8B8A991E91017927AB21BDD\
Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\hcmon\Win7\
Show 1 more directory +
Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE\hcmon_CF9DFB142D06CE28E5390FF98CB94126DA5829C6\
Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve hcmon.sys problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.

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Download hcmon.sys Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)

CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying hcmon.sys to your appropriate Windows system directory. VMware typically does not release VMWare Workstation Player SYS files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing hcmon.sys and all other SYS files for VMWare Workstation Player. An incorrectly installed SYS file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

VMware Workstation 12.5.5

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hcmon.sys

8.11.1.0

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	VMware USB monitor
Software Version:	8.11.1.0
File Version:	8.11.1.0
File Size:	83008
File Date:	01/02/2020
MD5 Checksum:	b23bdc42f7f8eb7a37587fa029b81ade
SHA1 Checksum:	7dd0788647f64171e087a234902780eee52105a2
SHA256 Checksum:	1abe941f0fdb36cf7b6556b2124faedf296eb04b7789cfc8056d55c2b00b5b54
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\h ... C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE\hcmon_52975A864B0 ...

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win64 EXE
Image Version:	10.0
Initialized Data Size:	11776
Linker Version:	14.0
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
PE Type:	PE32+
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	6.1
File Modification Date/Time:	01/02/2020

VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hcmon.sys

8.11.7.0

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	VMware USB monitor
Software Version:	8.11.7.0
File Version:	8.11.7.0
File Size:	83984
File Date:	02/04/2020
MD5 Checksum:	192889645dd27e622fbac2921f416a86
SHA1 Checksum:	1e9017e07a934a9e2592aa3631b76e0fdbed1f34
SHA256 Checksum:	05ad61a5a5579310508a07901bff851551a9a7c8840835b420557654f5d6b9c4
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\h ... C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE\hcmon_CF9DFB142D0 ...

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win64 EXE
Image Version:	10.0
Initialized Data Size:	11776
Linker Version:	14.0
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
PE Type:	PE32+
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	6.1
File Modification Date/Time:	02/04/2020

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Files Related to hcmon.sys

SYS Files Related to hcmon.sys

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
hcmon.sys	VMware USB monitor	VMware USB monitor (8.11.7.0 build-13216328)	83984	C:\Windows\inf\
vmnet.sys	VMware virtual network driver (64-bit)	VMware virtual network driver (64-bit) (14.0.0.3 build-14362223)	45880	C:\Windows\inf\
vsock.sys	VMware vSockets Service	VMware vSockets Service (9.8.16.0 build-14168184)	103224	C:\Windows\inf\
vmnetAdapter.sys	VMware virtual network adapter driver (64-bit)	VMware virtual network adapter driver (64-bit) (14.0.0.3 build-14362223)	45880	C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...
vmnetUserif.sys	VMware network application interface driver (64-bit)	VMware network application interface driver (64-bit) (14.0.0.3 build-14362223)	43840	C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...

Other Files Related to hcmon.sys

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
setupact.log	Log	VMware Workstation 12.5.5	195737	C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
SA.DAT	Game Data	VMware Workstation 12.5.5	6	C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
netpacer.PNF	Precompiled INF	VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1	7484	C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...
setupapi.dev.log	Log	VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1	734585	C:\Windows\inf\
netnb.PNF	Precompiled INF	VMWare Workstation Player 15.5.1	5308	C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...

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