One way can be by passing arguments (Setup.exe /s /v"/qn /l*v ""%TEMP%\vmmsi.log""" ADDLOCAL=ALL) on a simple batch check on this :
Names of VMware Tools Features Used in Silent Installations
Automating VMware Tools Installation for Multiple Windows Virtual Machines
The other way that an take some time but works via the API so for that check this:
oldie but goodie:
check this actual reference :
VMware vSphere 6.5 Documentation Library
pay attention to "UpgradeToolsTask" and Managed Object- GuestOperationsManager (vimvm.guest.GuestOperationsManager)
the super easy way is to automate the thing with help of this script on the repo just clone it and adapt it:
vghetto-scripts/updateVMToolsPolicy.pl at master · lamw/vghetto-scripts · GitHub
https://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2012/02/automating-vmware-tools-upgrade-policy.html
I tried to use the API thru node.js but lack of time pulls me down to hell.
hope it helps just guessing all assumptions.