Tired of starting and stopping the virtual machines (VMs) on VMware Workstation 16 Pro manually using the graphical user interface (GUI) on Windows machines, I am looking for an automated solution to streamline this process. Manually managing VMs can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when dealing with multiple machines. Automation would not only save time but also ensure consistency and reduce the risk of human error.

Initially, I experimented with Bash scripts in combination with VMware commands. While this approach worked to some extent, it was not as seamless as I had hoped. The setup and execution required a fair amount of manual intervention, defeating the purpose of automation to some degree. Therefore, I started exploring more straightforward and efficient methods to achieve this goal.

One promising solution involves using the Task Scheduler in Windows. By scheduling tasks, I can automate the starting and stopping of VMs at specified times on any given day without requiring any manual input. This approach leverages the built-in capabilities of the Windows operating system, making it easier to implement and manage.

To set this up, I would create scheduled tasks that run VMware commands at predetermined times. These tasks can be configured to handle various scenarios, such as starting VMs in the morning and shutting them down in the evening. This method provides a reliable and hands-free way to manage VMs, enhancing productivity and ensuring that the VMs are available when needed without manual intervention.