Install vSphere 5.5 Client on a Domain Controller

I recently upgraded my VM infrastructure to ESXi 5.5 and came across an interesting issue. The client installer refused to install on a Windows Domain Controller.

Turns out VMWare decided to enforce a common standard of not installing 3rd party software on a Domain Controller. While I agree with this, there is an exception to every rule.

In those cases you can force the install by passing the following command line switch:

/VSKIP_OS_CHECKS="1"

Reference

https://communities.vmware.com/thread/457906