VMware Workstation Pro is no longer limited to free personal use. VMware announced free access for commercial, educational and personal users in November 2024. Use a current eligible release and read its terms; this does not make every guest operating system or support service free.
Choose the right product
| Host computer | Product to check |
|---|---|
| Supported Windows or Linux PC | VMware Workstation Pro. |
| Supported Mac | VMware Fusion, with requirements for the Mac’s processor and OS. |
VMware’s free-for-all announcement explains the licensing change. Do not confuse the host application with a Windows/Linux licence inside a virtual machine.
Download from the official route
- Follow Broadcom’s desktop-hypervisor download instructions.
- Sign in or create the required Broadcom account through the official portal.
- Select the correct product, release and host platform.
- Complete the genuine download/terms steps offered for your account.
- Download the installer and check the release’s host-system requirements before running it.
Portal menus can change, so a fixed sequence involving old dashboard labels is less reliable than the current guide. If the account/download workflow fails, use Broadcom’s documented support route rather than an unrelated mirror.
Before creating your first virtual machine
- Confirm sufficient RAM and storage for the host and guest.
- Check required hardware virtualization support and firmware settings.
- Use legitimate installation media for the guest OS.
- Plan a backup; a VM snapshot is not a substitute for all backups.
- Check networking and shared-folder settings for your intended use.
If the installer or VM fails
Record the exact message, host OS/build, CPU and Workstation version. Check the current compatibility documentation and any other hypervisor/security features on the host. Do not disable them all as a blanket fix.
Free software doesn’t guarantee unlimited support or that it works with every setup. Check your main computer, the operating system you want to run inside the virtual machine and the features you need. Test a small virtual machine before moving important work.
Reviewed October 12, 2026, using the sources linked above.