"Updating VMware Tools for Linux" spins forever

Solution 1:

Had the same problem. It seems to hang while trying to ask you for your password to authorize the update. For some reason it needs root to have a password. I simply 'passwd root' and 'kill -9'ed the process running 'vmware-gksu' then tried again. And voila: after the download a window popped up and asked me for my password.

Solution 2:

Try to run it from console and observe the output. There is probably some interactive part.

Solution 3:

This happens when fingerprint auth is enabled. If you touch thew fingerprint right after it enters pending state, it would either proceed or ask for password if your fingerprint isn't recognized.