What is VMware Workstation Pro?

PRODUCT

How does VMware Workstation Pro work? 

VMware Workstation Pro 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 Pro installs onto the host operating system and provides broad hardware support by inheriting device support from the host.

 

What types of applications can I run in a virtual machine? 

Any application that will run on a standard PC will run inside a virtual machine on VMware Workstation Pro. VMware Workstation Pro 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, VPN software and much more. 

 

Do I need to dual boot or repartition the disk? 

No. VMware Workstation Pro 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 Pro 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. 

 

How is each operating system installed? 

Once you have installed VMware Workstation Pro, 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. 

 

Does VMware Workstation Pro modify the host or guest operating systems? 

No. Your host operating system environment treats VMware Workstation Pro 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. 

 

What are virtual disks? 

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 Pro 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, IDE, and SATA disks as large as 8 TB. 

 

Does a VMware Workstation virtual machine share the IP address of the host (NAT), or does it have its own IP address? 

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. 

 

What languages is VMware Workstation Pro available in? 

Workstation Pro software and documentation is available in English and Japanese (Windows only). 

 

Can I access VMware Workstation Pro documentation online for free? 

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

 

Can I purchase a printed VMware Workstation Pro User’s Guide? 

No. The VMware Workstation Pro user guide is available for free as a PDF download.

INSTALLATION

What kind of hardware do I need to run VMware Workstation Pro?

VMware Workstation Pro runs on standard x86-based hardware with 64-bit Intel and AMD processors and on 64-bit Windows or Linux host operating systems.

 

System Requirements

VMware recommends the following:

• 64-bit x86 Intel or AMD Processor from 2011 or later
• 1.3GHz or faster core speed
• 2GB RAM minimum/4GB RAM recommended

Workstation Pro installation: 

• 1.2 GB of available disk space for the application
• Additional hard disk space required for each virtual machine
• Please refer to vendor's recommended disk space for specific guest operating systems

Processors launched in 2011 or later are supported except:

• Intel Atom processors based on the 2011 “Bonnell” micro-architecture (e.g. Atom Z670/Z650; Atom N570)
• Intel Atom processors based on the 2012 “Saltwell” micro-architecture (e.g. Atom S1200, Atom D2700/D2500, Atom N2800/N2600.
• AMD processors based on the “Llano” and “Bobcat” micro-architectures (e.g. code-named “Hondo”, “Ontario”, “Zacate”, “Llano”)

In addition, the following are supported:

• Intel processors based on the 2010 “Westmere” micro-architecture (e.g. Xeon 5600, Xeon 3600, Core i7-970, Core i7-980, Core i7-990)

NOTE: Workstation 15 Pro requires a 64-bit host operating system. Host operating systems* (64-bit):

• Windows 10
• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2008
• Ubuntu 8.04 and above
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and above
• CentOS 5.0 and above
• Oracle Linux 5.0 and above
• openSUSE 10.2 and above
• SUSE Linux 10 and above

For 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration support in a virtual machine:

• 3GB RAM (Host PC)
• NVIDIA GeForce 9900GT and above or ATI Radeon HD 2600 and above

See the VMware Compatibility Guide for a complete list of supported host and guest operating systems.

 

Supported Guest Operating Systems

VMware Workstation 15 Pro supports hundreds of 32-bit and 64-bit guest operating systems from Microsoft DOS through Windows 10, Windows NT Server through Windows Server 2016, Ubuntu 17.04 and various flavors of Linux. Here is a list of popular supported guest operating systems.

• Windows 10
• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP
• Ubuntu
• RedHat
• SUSE
• Oracle Linux
• Debian
• Fedora
• openSUSE
• Mint
• CentOS
• Solaris, FreeBSD, and various other Linux Distros

See the VMware Compatibility Guide for a complete list of supported host and guest operating systems.

 

Does Workstation 15 Pro support 32-bit operating systems?

Workstation 15 Pro requires a 64-bit operating system on the host PC. You can still run your favorite 32-bit Windows and Linux guest operating systems inside a virtual machine on Workstation 15 Pro.

 

I participated in the Technology Preview program, should I uninstall the Technology Preview software before installing the final release?

Yes, you should first uninstall the Technology Preview version using the included Uninstall VMware Workstation function before upgrading to the final released version.

 

Will the virtual machines created with the Technology Preview version be lost?

No. When you uninstall the Technology Preview version and install the final released version of VMware Workstation, virtual machines created using the Technology Preview will remain intact.

LICENSING AND UPGRADES

Technology Guarantee Program

Can I qualify for a free upgrade?

Customers who purchased VMware Workstation 14 Pro starting on August 20, 2018 are covered by the Technology Guarantee Program for VMware Workstation Pro and are eligible for a complimentary electronic upgrade to VMware Workstation 15 Pro when it becomes generally available:

• If you purchased VMware Workstation 14 Pro from the VMware online store or an authorized VMware partner on or after August 20, 2018, you will automatically receive your new VMware Workstation 15 Pro license key(s) via email after the General Availability of Workstation 15 Pro. Please allow up to 48 hours after General Availability of Workstation 15 Pro to get your new license key(s). No further action is required to receive your upgrade.

 

What if I purchased VMware Workstation 14 Pro without a Support and Subscription (SnS) contract before August 20, 2018?

Customers who purchased VMware Workstation 14 Pro before August 20, 2018 without an SnS contract are not eligible for a complimentary upgrade to VMware Workstation 15 Pro and need to purchase an upgrade to Workstation 15 Pro to fully enjoy the benefits of the latest version of the product.

 

Upgrades

Who is eligible to upgrade to VMware Workstation 15 Pro?

Please consult the table below to check your eligibility to purchase an upgrade on the VMware Online Store.

 

How do I purchase Workstation 15 Pro upgrades?

VMware Workstation 15 Pro upgrades are available for purchase on the VMware online store or through VMware resellers.

 

IMPORTANT: When you install a new version of Workstation Pro, 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.

 

I have an active SnS contract for VMware Workstation Pro. When can I expect to receive the new version?

Customers with an active support and subscription (SnS) contract with an end date on or after General Availability are eligible for a free upgrade. You can download VMware Workstation 15 Pro from the Workstation Pro Download Page.

 

What if I have an older version of VMware Workstation Pro, am I eligible to buy an upgrade?

Customers with older VMware Workstation versions (1.x through 11.x) will need to purchase a new license.

 

I own Workstation 12.x or 14.x Pro (for Windows) and want to switch platforms and upgrade to Workstation 15 Pro (for Linux), or vice versa. Can I do this at upgrade prices?

Yes. VMware Workstation Pro offers an upgrade path from one host operating system version to another. For example, if you own a VMware Workstation 12 Pro for Windows license you can upgrade to VMware Workstation 15 Pro for Linux.

 

I have an academic copy of VMware Workstation 12.x or 14.x Pro. Can I get a discounted upgrade to VMware Workstation 15 Pro?

Yes, you may purchase an academic upgrade from the VMware Academic Store. To qualify for this discount, you must currently own an academic Workstation Pro license and be a student, parent, faculty or staff member at a qualifying academic institution.

 

Can I upgrade my Workstation Pro academic license to a Workstation Pro commercial license when I am no longer affiliated with an educational institution?

No, it is not possible to upgrade a Workstation Pro academic license to a Workstation Pro commercial license. If you are not associated with an education institution anymore and wish to continue using Workstation Pro, you must purchase a full commercial license.

 

Do I get free updates (not upgrades) when I purchase VMware Workstation Pro?

Yes. The price of VMware Workstation Pro includes an update service that entitles you to product updates and patches, which are new releases of Workstation Pro within a given product version (e.g. x.1, and x.1.1, and so forth). VMware Workstation Pro will automatically download updates or you may download updates by visiting the Workstation Pro Download Page.

 

NOTE: The price of Workstation Pro 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.

 

Licensing and Registration

How do I register my copy of VMware Workstation Pro with VMware?If you purchased the product from the VMware Online store, your license key is automatically registered. If you purchased from a reseller, you need to manually register your license key in My VMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration.

 

Can I switch between Windows and Linux versions?

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

 

Are students and professors eligible to receive special academic pricing for a full license of VMware Workstation Pro?

Yes. Students and professors can purchase VMware Workstation Pro at our standard academic pricing by ordering directly from VMware Academic Store or by contacting VMware Sales at 1-977-4VMWARE (1-977-496-10273) in the United States and Canada, or +1-650-427-5000 elsewhere. Please note that proof of eligibility is required.

DOWNLOADS AND TRIALS

How can I download VMware Workstation Pro?  

You can download VMware Workstation Pro software from the Workstation Pro Download page.

 

Can I convert my trial license to a permanent license?

After the evaluation period has expired, you will be prompted to enter a license key. If you have purchased the product you will have received a new license key. Enter the purchased license key when prompted to unlock the full "unlimited" version of the software. To take advantage of complimentary email support for up to 30 days, your license key must be registered. If you purchased the product from the VMware Online store, your license key is automatically registered. If you purchased from a reseller, you need to manually register your license key in My VMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration.

 

Do I need to download VMware Workstation Pro again if I am converting my trial license to a full license?

No. You simply need to update your license key in VMware Workstation Pro. You can do this from the "VMware Workstation Pro" menu, click on "License" and enter your new license key.

 

Where do I download free "minor" updates?

VMware Workstation Pro will prompt you for updates automatically. To manually check for updates, click on the "VMware Workstation Pro" drop down menu in VMware Workstation Pro and choose "Check for Updates."

 

How can I obtain an evaluation of VMware Workstation Pro?

You can obtain a free trial of VMware Workstation Pro at  https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation/workstation-evaluation.html

SUPPORT

Create a Support Request

To create a new support request or check on the status of an existing request please sign on to your account through the MyVMware portal.

 

Support Offerings

Along with our comprehensive web-based support resources such as the Knowledge Base and VMware Communities, the following support offerings are available:

Complimentary Support   Email installation support for VMware Workstation Pro is valid for 30 days from product registration. Submit support requests either online or via phone; responses are targeted within one business day.   Per Incident Support   Purchase support as you need it for VMware Workstation Pro. Individual per incident support is conveniently sold in 1, 3 or 5 incident packs. Submit support requests either online or via phone; responses are targeted within one business day.

Basic Support   With a minimum quantity of 10 VMware Workstation Pro licenses, VMware Basic Support provides access to our global support centers, 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, including unlimited support requests and subscription services for 1 or 3-year periods.     Production Support   With a minimum quantity of 10 VMware Workstation Pro licenses, VMware Production Support provides access to our global support centers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Severity 1 issues, including unlimited support requests and subscription services for 1 or 3-year periods.

Support FAQs

When does complimentary support start?

Complimentary support starts when your VMware Workstation Pro license is registered.  Registration takes place automatically if you purchase your product from the VMware Online store. If you purchased from a reseller, you need to register your license in My VMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration.

 

How long does complimentary support last?

Complimentary support for VMware Workstation Pro is valid for 30 days from product registration.

 

Can I use a support incident for different versions of Workstation Pro, for example Workstation 11 and Workstation 12 Pro?

Yes, you can purchase support incidents and open a support request for any product version that is still officially supported by VMware.

 

What is the support period for VMware Workstation Pro?

VMware Workstation follows the Personal Desktop lifecycle policy. Please refer to our  lifecycle policies for detailed information and end of support dates.

 

What type of technical support help can I get if I am evaluating VMware Workstation Pro?

Evaluation users can get help through the VMware Workstation Pro Community. Evaluation users are not eligible for complimentary email support.

 

Are there any free Workstation Pro support resources available from VMware?

VMware provides several self-help and community supported resources including:

• Workstation Pro 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
• Customers are also eligible for complimentary installation support for the first 30 days following product registration.