What is VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation is a line of Desktop Hypervisor products which lets users run virtual machines, containers and Kubernetes clusters.

 

What are the different editions of VMware Workstation?

The VMware Workstation product line consists of two products: Workstation Pro and Workstation Player. Collectively they are referred to as ‘VMware Workstation,’ and when there are differences, they are called out.

 

How is Workstation Pro different from Workstation Player?

Fundamentally, Workstation Pro and Workstation Player share the same hypervisor technology, but with unique user interfaces for different types of use.

 

Workstation Player is designed for a single graphical VM operation, or for command line operation with ‘vmrun’ or ‘ making it great for running a different operating system in a secure isolated sandbox on a consumer PC. Workstation Player is also widely used in education for learning more about the world of information technology and computer systems.

 

Workstation Pro is designed for IT professionals and developers, and provides a more fully featured interface with capabilities for running multiple virtual machines at the same time. Workstation Pro can provide and configure virtual networking, create clones, connect to vSphere, show multiple VMs at the same time in a tabbed UI and more.

 

For a more detailed comparison, please visit our Compare Table. 

 

How are Workstation Pro and Workstation Player licensed?

VMware offers several licensing models with a variety of differences, each defined in our Product Guide

 

Workstation Pro requires a paid licensed for use which can be purchased from store.vmware.com or from our channel partners. Workstation Pro licenses are available for personal use on up to 3 devices that you own or control. Workstation Pro can be licensed for corporate use and requires one license per device.

PRODUCT

How do VMware Workstation products work?

VMware Workstation products workby using special functions in modern 64-bit x86 CPUs to create fully isolated, secure virtual machines that encapsulate an operating system and its applications. The VMware virtualization layer maps physical hardware resources to a virtual machine's virtual resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, and I/O devices, as well as 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.

 

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. 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, VPN software and much more.

 

Do I need to dual boot or repartition the disk?

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.

 

How is each ‘guest’ operating system installed?

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.

 

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.

 

Can Workstation run containers or Kubernetes clusters?

Yes. In addition to virtual machines, both Workstation Pro and Workstation Player include the CLI tool ‘vctl’ which is used to push, pull, build and run OCI containers. ‘vctl’ also lets users run local Kubernetes clusters without requiring Docker for Windows.

 

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, our documentation centers are as follows:

VMware Workstation Pro Documentation Center
VMware Workstation Player Documentation Center

 

• What languages is VMware Workstation Pro available in?

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

INSTALLATION

What are the System Requirements to run VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation runs on standard x86-based hardware with 64-bit Intel and AMD processors, and on 64-bit Windows or Linux host operating systems. For more detail, see our

System Requirements documentation.

 

System Requirements

• A compatible 64-bit x86/AMD64 CPU launched in 2011 or later *
• 3GHz or faster core speed
• 2GB RAM minimum/ 4GB RAM or more recommended

General Host OS Requirements

• Windows 10
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows 8
• Ubuntu
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• CentOS
• Oracle Linux
• openSUSE
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Note that Windows 7 hosts are no longer supported, Workstation 16 will not function on them.

 

Workstation Pro installation

• 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

Supported Guest Operating Systems

VMware Workstation 16 supports hundreds of 32-bit and 64-bit guest operating systems.

Here is a list of the most popular:

• 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.

 

For Hyper-V Enabled Hosts:

CPU Requirements:

• Intel Sandy Bridge or a newer CPU
• AMD Bulldozer or a newer CPU

Host Operating Systems:

• Windows 10 2004

For 3D Hardware Accelerated Graphics Support:
Hardware Requirements:

• For Windows hosts, a GPU that supports DirectX 11.1 is required.
• For Linux hosts, the latest NVIDIA proprietary drivers are required.
• For Linux hosts, AMD devices are not supported

Software Requirements:

• 64-bit Host Operating System:
  • Windows 8 or higher
  • GNU/Linux with NVIDIA drivers that support OpenGL 4.5 and above
• Guest Operating System
  • Windows 7 or higher
  • GNU/Linux with vmwgfx 

* With exception, the following CPUs are not supported:

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

In addition, the following CPUs 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)

Does Workstation 16 support 32-bit operating systems?

No. Workstation 16 requires a 64-bit operating system on the host PC. You can still run 32-bit Windows and Linux guest operating systems inside a virtual machine on Workstation 15.

 

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

Yes. For Windows, you should first uninstall the Technology Preview version using the included Remove VMware Workstation function from the ‘modify installation’ menu from 'Add / Remove Programs’ utility in Windows 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. It is recommended to update VMware Tools in your guest to remain aligned with the newer version of Workstation.

LICENSING AND UPGRADES

i. Technology Guarantee Program

Do qualify for a free upgrade?

Customers who purchased VMware Workstation 15 Pro or Player beginning August 15^th, 2020 are covered by the Technology Guarantee Program for VMware Workstation, and are eligible for a complimentary electronic upgrade to VMware Workstation 16 Pro or Player depending on the upgrading license, when they become generally available:

• If you purchased VMware Workstation 15 Pro from the VMware online store or an authorized VMware partner on or after August 15^th, 2020, you will automatically receive your new VMware Workstation 16 Pro license key(s) via email after the General Availability of Workstation 16 Pro. Please allow up to 48 hours after General Availability of Workstation 16 Pro to get your new license key(s). No further action is required to receive your upgrade.
• If you purchased VMware Workstation 15 Player from the VMware online store or an authorized VMware partner on or after August 15^th, 2020, you will automatically receive your new VMware Workstation 16 Player license key(s) via email after the General Availability of Workstation 16 Player. Please allow up to 48 hours after General Availability of Workstation 16 Player to get your new license key(s). No further action is required to receive your upgrade.

What if I purchased VMware Workstation 15 without a Support and Subscription (SnS) contract before August 15^th, 2020?

Customers who purchased VMware Workstation 15 Pro or Player before August 15^th, 2020 without an SnS contract are not eligible for a complimentary upgrade to VMware Workstation 16 and would need to purchase an upgrade to Workstation 16 Pro or Player to enjoy the benefits of the latest version of the product.

ii. Upgrades

Who is eligible to upgrade to VMware Workstation 16?

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

How do I purchase Workstation 16 upgrades?

VMware Workstation 16 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 or Player. 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 16 Pro from the Workstation Pro Download Page., and Workstation Player from the Workstation Player Download Page

 

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

Customers with older VMware Workstation versions (3.x through 12.x) will need to purchase a “New” license.

 

I own Workstation 14.x or 15.x (for Windows) and want to switch platforms and upgrade to Workstation 16 (for Linux), or vice versa. Can I do this at upgrade prices?

Yes. VMware Workstation offers upgrade paths from one host operating system version to another. For example, if you own a VMware Workstation 14 Pro or Player for Windows license you can upgrade to VMware Workstation 16 Pro or Player for Linux.

 

I have an academic copy of VMware Workstation 14.x or 15.x Pro or Player. Can I get a discounted upgrade to VMware Workstation 16 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 or Player academic license to a Workstation Pro or Player commercial license when I am no longer affiliated with an educational institution?

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

 

iii. Licensing and Registration

VMware Workstation Free?

VMware Workstation has multiple licensing options depending on your use case.

Workstation Player is available free for personal, non-commercial use, but requires a license for commercial use. A valid Commercial license will remove the ‘Non-commercial use only’ banner placed within the product.

VMware Workstation Pro requires a paid license for personal and commercial uses, with different terms for each as defined by the VMware Product Guide

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 may need to manually register your license key in MyVMware. 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.

 

Can I use Workstation on Mac operating systems?

While Workstation Pro and Player do not run on macOS, the licenses are compatible with VMware Fusion Pro and Fusion Player for Mac, respectively. VMware allows you to use your personal Workstation Pro or Player license to run virtual machines, containers and Kubernetes clusters on up to 3 devices that you personally own, including Apple devices. To facilitate this, a Workstation 16 Pro license can be used to license VMware Fusion 12 Pro, and a Workstation 16 Player license can be used to license VMware Fusion 12 Player as 1 of the total 3 devices entitled.
Corporate accounts must purchase 1 commercial license for each unique device.

 

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

Yes. Students and professors can purchase VMware Workstation products at our standard academic pricing by ordering directly from VMware Academic Store.

DOWNLOADS AND TRIALS

Is there a Trial for Workstation Pro or Player?

Yes. Workstation Pro and Player both include license keys for trial operation. Workstation Pro includes Workstation Player, and provides 30 days of free evaluation, after which time a license must be purchased for continued use of Workstation Pro or continued commercial use of Workstation Player. The product is 100% full featured for the duration of the trial period, with no other restrictions applied, but will prevent launch once the trial period has expired.

 

How can I download VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation Pro software can be downloaded from the Workstation Pro Trial Download page, and includes Workstation Player.
Workstation Player ‘standalone’ can be obtained from the Workstation Player trial 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 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 or Player. For more detailed information, please refer to our documentation

 

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." Alternatively, each version is available for download within your MyVMware portal.

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 or Player. 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   VMware Basic Support can be purchased when buying your Workstation licenses, even if you’re only buying 1 product license. 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   VMware Production Support can be purchased when buying your Workstation licenses, even if you’re only buying 1product license. 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 paid VMware Workstation license is registered.  Registration takes place automatically if you purchased your product from the VMware Online store. If you purchased from a reseller, you may need to register your license in MyVMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration

 

How long does complimentary support last?

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

 

Can I use a support incident for different versions of Workstation, for example Workstation 15?

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 Desktop Hypervisor 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?

Evaluation users can get help through the Workstation Pro or Workstation Player Communities. 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
• Workstation Player 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.