VMware Fusion 5 and Microsoft Office 2013 screen refresh problem

Ivo Beerens
Date : September 5, 2012
Categories : fusion ,office-2013 ,VMware
Tags : fusion ,office-2013 ,VMware

When using Microsoft Office 2013 on Windows 7 or Windows 8 in VMware Fusion 5 the screen is not properly refreshed and leaving black regions.

This is because VMware Fusion 5 offers DirectX9 for Windows 7 and Windows 8, but Microsoft Office 2013 requires DirectX10. This is a know issue in VMware Fusion 5.

There are two work arounds available:

Disable 3D acceleration in the VM settings
Disable hardware acceleration in the Microsoft Office 2013 application

Disable 3D acceleration in the VM settings

Shut Down the VM
Go to Settings and click on Display
Turn the Accelerate 3D Graphics setting to OFF

Start the VM

Disable hardware acceleration in the Microsoft Office 2013 application

Open the Office application you want to turn disable the hardware acceleration
Click on Settings – Advanced – Disable hardware acceleration