Where to get VMware and which version you need

VMware offers different products for different purposes, and the download location depends on which one you want. VMware Workstation Pro (Windows and Linux) and VMware Fusion Pro (Mac) are the paid desktop versions that let you run multiple operating systems on one machine. VMware Workstation Player (Windows and Linux) and VMware Fusion Player (Mac) are free versions with fewer features — they work well if you just need to run one virtual machine at a time.

The official download page is vmware.com/products/workstation. From there you can choose your operating system and whether you want the Pro or Player version. If you have a business license or subscription, you may also have access through your company's VMware portal, but the public downloads on the main website work for personal use.

Before you start the download, check your computer's specs. VMware needs a processor with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), at least 4 GB of RAM, and 1.5 GB of free disk space for the software itself — plus more space for each virtual machine you create. On Mac, you need at least macOS 10.15 or newer.

Key Takeaways

  • VMware Workstation Player (Windows/Linux) and Fusion Player (Mac) are free versions that work for most people who want to run one virtual machine.
  • The official download is at vmware.com/products/workstation, where you select your operating system and version before downloading.
  • Your computer needs virtualization support in the processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and 1.5 GB of free disk space for the software.
  • After downloading the installer file, you run it like any other program and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
  • You do not need a license key to install and use the free Player versions, but Pro versions require a paid license.

Downloading VMware on Windows

Go to vmware.com/products/workstation in your web browser. On the page that loads, you will see options for Workstation Pro and Workstation Player. Click the download button for whichever version you want — Player is free, Pro requires a license. The page will ask you to choose your operating system; select Windows.

A file with a name like "VMware-player-full-17.x.x-xxxxx.exe" will download to your Downloads folder. The exact version number changes as VMware releases updates, but the .exe extension is what matters — that is the installer. Wait for the download to finish completely before moving to the next step.

Once the download is done, open your Downloads folder and double-click the .exe file. Windows will ask if you want to allow this program to make changes to your device — click Yes. The VMware installer window will open and walk you through the setup process. You can accept the default settings or customize the installation folder if you prefer.

Downloading VMware on Mac

Open your web browser and go to vmware.com/products/workstation. Look for the Fusion section (not Workstation — Fusion is the Mac version). Click the download button for Fusion Player or Fusion Pro, depending on whether you want the free or paid version.

The download will be a .dmg file, which is Mac's standard installer format. It will appear in your Downloads folder. Double-click the .dmg file to open it. A window will pop up showing the VMware Fusion icon and an Applications folder shortcut. Drag the VMware Fusion icon into the Applications folder. This copies the program to your Mac.

Once the copy is complete, you can eject the .dmg file by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder. Open your Applications folder, find VMware Fusion, and double-click it to launch the program for the first time. macOS may ask for permission to allow VMware to run — click Open to proceed.

What happens after you install

When you first open VMware, it will ask whether you want to create a new virtual machine or open an existing one. If this is your first time, you will create a new one. VMware will guide you through selecting an operating system to install — you can choose Windows, Linux, macOS, or other systems depending on what you have licenses for.

The installer will ask where you want to store the virtual machine files on your hard drive. Virtual machines take up significant space — a Windows installation can easily use 20 to 50 GB — so make sure you have enough free disk space. You can store them on an external drive if your main drive is full, but performance will be slower.

You will also need the installation media for the operating system you want to run inside the virtual machine. This is usually an .iso file (a disk image) that you download separately from Microsoft, Ubuntu, or wherever you get that operating system. VMware will ask you to point to this file during setup.

Troubleshooting a failed download

If your download stops or fails partway through, your browser will usually offer to resume it. Click Resume rather than starting over. If the download keeps failing, try a different web browser — sometimes one browser has connection issues while another works fine.

If the downloaded file will not open or the installer crashes immediately, the file may be corrupted. Delete the .exe or .dmg file and download it again. Make sure you have at least 2 GB of free disk space before downloading, because the installer file itself is large.

On Windows, if you get an error about missing .NET Framework or Visual C++ libraries, Windows Update can install these automatically. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates and let Windows install any pending updates, then try running the VMware installer again.

Choosing between Player and Pro

VMware Player is free and handles most common tasks: running a second operating system, testing software, or learning how virtual machines work. It runs one virtual machine at a time and does not include advanced features like snapshots (saving the state of a machine to restore later) or cloning.

VMware Pro costs money but adds features like snapshots, the ability to run multiple machines simultaneously, and better performance tuning. If you are just getting started with virtualization, Player is enough. You can always upgrade to Pro later if you find you need the extra features.

Some organizations provide VMware licenses to employees. If your company has a VMware subscription, you may be able to download Pro versions through your company's portal instead of paying for your own license. Check with your IT department before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license key to use VMware Player?

No. VMware Player is free and does not require a license key to download or use. VMware Fusion Player on Mac is also free. The Pro versions (Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro) do require a paid license, and you will need to enter a license key during or after installation.

Can I run VMware on a Mac with an M1 or M2 chip?

Yes, but only Fusion Player and Fusion Pro work on Apple Silicon Macs. Workstation is Windows and Linux only. Fusion on M1/M2 Macs can run ARM-based operating systems like Windows 11 for ARM or Linux distributions built for ARM processors, but not traditional x86 Windows or Linux.

What if my computer does not support virtualization?

Most modern processors have virtualization support built in, but some older machines or budget laptops do not. You can check by restarting your computer and entering the BIOS (usually by pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup) and looking for a setting called VT-x, AMD-V, or Virtualization Technology. If it is disabled, you can turn it on there. If the option does not exist, your processor does not support it.

Is it safe to download VMware from vmware.com?

Yes. vmware.com is the official VMware website and is the safe place to download. Avoid downloading VMware from third-party sites or torrent sites, as those files may be modified or contain malware. Always use the official website.

How much disk space do I actually need?

VMware itself takes about 1.5 GB. Each virtual machine you create needs space for its operating system and files — typically 20 to 100 GB depending on what you install. If you plan to run Windows and Linux at the same time, budget at least 150 GB of free space total.