Steps to recover from this error:
On your host computer, browse to CDS Repository - /var/www/public/stage/session-59/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/12.1.0/3272444/windows/packages
Download the file
tools-linux.tar
Unzip the file (I used 7zip, but any unzip tool should work). This will extract the file
VMware-tools-linux-10.0.5-3228253.iso
On VMware Workstation, mount the extracted file to the Ubuntu VM: a) Ensure the VM is running b) On the Workstation menu, select VM > Removable Devices > CD/DVD (SATA) > Settings... c) Click Browse, and find the file you extracted in step 3 above. Click OK. d) Select VM > Removable Devices > CD/DVD (SATA) > Connect
The iso file will mount and open as a folder on the Ubuntu machine. On that machine, right-click the file that ends in .tar.gz, and select "Extract to...". Select Desktop and click "Extract"
Open the Terminal app (Search > Terminal). Type this command:
cd Desktop/vmware-tools-distrib
Uninstall any older version of Tools with this command:
sudo bin/vmware-uninstall-tools.pl
Install the new tools:
sudo ./vmware-install.pl -d
Restart Ubuntu
That should be it!