VMware Workstation FAQs

VMware Workstation continues to be the most advanced virtualization software for desktop and laptop computers. The 7 release further strengthens the product’s leadership in providing the broadest, deepest OS support (both host and guest); best-in-class virtual machine architecture; the richest desktop user experience; and an unmatched set of value-added features to enhance the productivity of technical professionals and the organizations they serve. See what else is new

VMware Workstation is essential for all technical professionals:

• IT engineers/system administrators
• Software developers and QA engineers
• Call center/help desk/tech support engineers
• Computer-based educators/trainers and their students
• Salespeople and sales engineers who run software demos
• Users who need to run Linux on Windows (or vice-versa)
• Those who need to rehost a legacy application on a modern operating system (i.e, rehost Windows XP as a virtual machine on a Windows 7 host machine)

VMware Workstation works by creating fully isolated, secure virtual machines that encapsulate an operating system and its applications. The VMware virtualization layer maps the physical hardware resources to the virtual machine's resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, and I/O devices, and is the full equivalent of a standard x86 machine. VMware Workstation installs onto the host operating system and provides broad hardware support by inheriting device support from the host.

Any application that will run on a standard PC will run inside a virtual machine on VMware Workstation. VMware Workstation is the equivalent of a full PC, with full networking and devices — each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, I/O devices, etc. This allows you to run any application that runs on the supported guest operating systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Apache Web Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, Kernel debuggers, Firewalls and VPN software.

No. VMware Workstation uses your computer's file system and creates files that map to a virtual machine's disk drives, so there is no need to create a partition for each operating system. If you already have another operating system with dual boot installed on your computer, you can use VMware Workstation to run the other operating system in a virtual machine on your host operating system. Instead of dual booting, you can run both operating systems simultaneously and seamlessly switch from one operating system to another with a click of your mouse.

Once you have installed VMware Workstation, you "configure" a virtual machine by assigning it memory, disk, ports, and networking. You then power on that virtual machine with the operating system installation CD or ISO image. The virtual machine will boot, and the operating system will start its normal install procedure.

No. Your host operating system environment treats VMware Workstation like an application. No modifications need to be made to the guest operating system when it is installed on a virtual machine. Applications on the guest operating system run exactly as they do on your host machine.

Virtual disks are the disk partitions of virtual machines. They are stored as files on the file system of your host operating system. One of the key features of VMware Workstation is encapsulation. This means that complete environments are contained in a set of files, which can be copied, moved, and accessed quickly and easily. Since an entire disk partition is saved as a file, virtual disks are easy to back up, move, and copy. You can create virtual SCSI and IDE disks as large as 950GB.

The virtual machine can use bridged networking to receive its own IP address (when available from a DHCP server), or it can use NAT and share the host's IP address. Also, host-only networking can be set to create an isolated virtual network. Lastly, network connections can be entirely disabled for complete virtual machine isolation.

VMware Workstation runs on standard x86-based hardware with Intel and AMD processors and most Windows or Linux host operating systems. We recommend that you have a 1GHz or faster processor, 2GB of RAM, and at least 1.5 GB of free disk space, depending on the guest operating system you want to install. For more details on recommended hardware, see the VMware Workstation User's Manual for the host system requirements. If you plan to run 64-bit virtual machines with VMware Workstation, please refer to the Knowledge Base article on compatible 64-bit CPUs. VMware Workstation does not run on RISC architectures, including SPARC or PowerPC. It cannot be installed on a UNIX-based or Apple machine.

Yes. VMware Workstation can open a .VMC file or .PVS file.

You can evaluate a full working version for free, for up to 30 days, available here.

Workstation software and documentation is available in English and Japanese.

VMware Workstation is currently available in the following configurations:

• VMware Workstation for Windows (English or Japanese Language) or Linux (English Language) Hosts
• Electronic Software Download (ESD) distribution, which includes license key and complimentary email support for the first 30 days after product registration.
• VMware Workstation Box with Media Kit, which includes a license key, DVD with the VMware Workstation software, manual and complimentary email support for the first 30 days after product registration.

A full license for VMware Workstation is available for $189 USD (electronic download) and $209 USD (VMware Workstation box with media kit). The upgrade from VMware Workstation 6 to 7 or VMware Workstation 5 to 7 is available for $99 USD (electronic download only).

For volume license purchases please visit the VMware Store, a VMware reseller or contact VMware Sales at 1-877-4VMWARE (1-877-486-9273) in the U.S. and Canada, 1-650-427-5000 elsewhere.

VMware Workstation is available for purchase on the VMware online store, through VMware resellers or by contacting VMware Sales at 1-877-4VMWARE (1-877-486-9273) in the U.S. and Canada, 1-650-427-5000 elsewhere.

To purchase the Japanese language version, please visit the VMware Japanese online store.

Yes. Starting with VMware Workstation 7, you can switch between Windows and Linux versions of VMware Workstation using the same license key. If you decide to switch host operating systems, you must uninstall Workstation from the host operating system you no longer plan to use. If you plan to run VMware Workstation on both a Linux and Windows host, you need to purchase two licenses.

Yes. The price of VMware Workstation includes an update service that entitles you to product updates and patches, which are new releases of Workstation within a given product version (e.g. x.1, and x.1.1, and so forth). Updates are available in electronic format only—not physical media. To download updates, visit the Workstation Download Page.

NOTE: The price of Workstation entitles a customer to free updates, but not free upgrades. Upgrade releases contain functional enhancements or significant extensions and must be purchased separately unless you have an active support and subscription (SnS) contract.

For a more detailed definition, please read the Update and Upgrade Policy.

Yes. Students and professors can purchase VMware Workstation at our standard academic pricing by ordering directly from VMware Academic Store or by contacting VMware Sales at 1-877-4VMWARE (1-877-486-9273) in the United States and Canada, or +1-650-427-5000 elsewhere. You can also buy from a student store or a student union. Please note that proof of eligibility is required.

Yes, both English and Japanese language versions are available for download in electronic format from the VMware Workstation documentation website.

Customers with an active support and subscription ("SnS") contract will receive Workstation 7 free of charge. VMware will send an email with the new license key(s) to the customers who registered their licenses and have an active support and subscription contract tied to these licenses. Please contact your license administrator if you do not receive your Workstation 7 license keys three (3) weeks after General Availability (GA) of the product.

After receiving your license keys, you can download VMware Workstation 7 software from the Workstation Download Page

VMware Workstation 6.x customers without an active SnS contract may purchase an upgrade to VMware Workstation 7 for $99 USD per license (electronic download only).

VMware Workstation 5.x customers without an active SnS contract may also purchase an upgrade to VMware Workstation 7 for $99 USD per license (electronic download only).

Customers who have purchased Workstation 6.5.x between October 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009 are eligible for a free upgrade to VMware Workstation 7. If you purchased VMware Workstation from the VMware online store, VMware will send you an email to the email address used during your purchase. Customers who have purchased VMware Workstation from a VMware reseller or distributor between October 1, 2009 and November 20, 2009, can request a free upgrade here.

Customers with older VMware Workstation versions (1.x, 2.x, 3.x and 4.x) will need to purchase a new license at the regular price of $189 USD (electronic download) or $209 USD (Box with Media Kit).

VMware Workstation 7 upgrades are available for purchase on the VMware online store, through VMware resellers or by contacting VMware Sales at 1-877-4VMWARE (1-877-486-9273) in the U.S. and Canada, 1-650-427-5000 elsewhere.

IMPORTANT: When you install a new version of Workstation, the previous version will be uninstalled from your system. Therefore, we recommend that you proceed with the upgrade only if you have a new license key. Your existing virtual machines will not be affected.

Yes. VMware Workstation now offers an upgrade path from one host operating system version to another. For example, if you own a VMware Workstation 6.5 for Windows license you can upgrade to VMware Workstation 7 for Linux.

Yes, you may purchase an academic upgrade from VMware Academic Store. In order to qualify for this discount, you must be a student, parent, faculty or staff member at a qualifying academic institution.

VMware offers two support and subscription programs for VMware Workstation: Production (24x7) and Basic (12x5). Production and Basic support is available to VMware Workstation customers who have 10 or more product licenses. Along with access to the world’s largest virtualization support organization, with the most experience supporting critical applications in a virtual infrastructure, all support offerings also include access to updates and patches to our products during the life of your support contract. These programs are offered on an annual or multi-year basis.

Other support options available for VMware Workstation are Complimentary Support and Per Incident Support. Complimentary support provides free technical support for 30 consecutive calendar days from the date of product registration and product updates for 24 months from the general availability of the product. Per Incident support for Workstation can be purchased in economical 1-, 3- or 5-incident packs.

Yes, you can purchase support incidents and open a support request for any product version that is still officially supported by VMware. See our General Support Lifecycle Policy for guidance on how long VMware supports older releases.

You can submit a support request online or by calling one of our toll free phone numbers.

VMware provides a number of self-help and community supported resources including:

• Workstation Documentation — product documentation and manuals
• Knowledge Base — troubleshooting information
• Community Forum — users can share their information and experiences with others (registration required)
• User Groups (VMUGs) — live, local gatherings of VMware users

Also, customers are eligible for complimentary installation support for the first 30 days following product registration.

Please reference our end of support policy for detailed information.

Yes. VMware offers free online training videos, consulting services and training/education services for VMware Workstation. For more information about VMware's consulting or training services for Workstation, please visit VMware Education, email VMware Consulting or email VMware Education, or call 1-877-4VMWARE (1-877-486-9273) in the U.S. and Canada, +1-650-427-5000 elsewhere.