Download VMware WORKSTATION PRO™26H1 — free direct download for Windows hosts, no Broadcom account, no license key

VMware Workstation Pro is the industry-standard desktop hypervisor for running multiple operating systems on a single Windows or Linux host. It has been shipping since 1999 and remains the full-featured workhorse used by developers, IT professionals, QA teams, system administrators, and educators.

What you can do with it

Build and run virtual machines for Windows, Linux, BSD, Solaris, and other x86_64 guests. Take multi-step snapshots, branch a machine's history with linked clones, run a private virtual network of up to twenty subnets, encrypt VM disks with AES-256, control everything from a REST API, and connect to remote ESXi hosts or vCenter Server instances from the same workbench.

Free for personal and commercial use

Since November 11, 2024, Broadcom — which acquired VMware in late 2023 — distributes Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro free of charge for both personal and commercial use. There is no license key, no trial countdown, and no feature gating compared with the previous paid edition. The free entitlement covers individuals, hobbyists, students, and businesses of any size.

Versions and naming

Workstation Pro 26H1 is the current major build — the first release of 2026. It is preceded by the 25H2 line (25H2 and the 25H2u1 stability update). Broadcom skipped a hypothetical "18.x" release in favour of calendar-based naming, where the year and half make up the version. The previous numbered line, 17.x, received minor updates through 17.6.4. All three lines — 26H1, 25H2, and 17.x — are available on our CDN-hosted download page.

How VMwaire fits in

VMwaire is an independent guide that hosts the official installers via GitHub Releases and presents them in a single, fast download page. We are not affiliated with Broadcom or VMware; we do not host any authentication wall; we collect aggregate analytics described in our privacy policy.

Read further: FAQ · System Requirements · What's new in 25H2 · Pro vs Player vs Fusion.

View full FAQ page →

Twelve questions covering licensing, version naming, key requirements, and platform support — plus a few specific to this mirror.

Is VMware Workstation Pro really free?

Yes. Broadcom announced on November 11, 2024 that VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro are free for personal and commercial use. There is no license key, no time limit, and no feature gating compared with the previous paid edition.

Do I need a license key to use Workstation Pro 26H1 or 25H2?

No. Free Workstation Pro 26H1 and 25H2 have no license-key field. On first launch you simply pick the free use option and you are in. Older 17.x builds did require a key — upgrading to 26H1 (or 25H2u1) removes that prompt entirely.

Can I use VMware Workstation Pro for commercial purposes?

Yes. The free license explicitly covers commercial, personal, and educational use. Businesses of any size can install it on production developer workstations without paying. Paid Broadcom support contracts are still available if you want a phone-line SLA.

How do I download VMware Workstation?

Pick a version from the table at the top of this page and click Download — the .exe is served directly from a global CDN, with no Broadcom account, no login, and no license key. The current recommended build is VMware Workstation Pro 26H1; 25H2, 25H2u1 and the legacy 17.6.4 line are listed below it. For step-by-step install instructions after the download finishes, see the Installation Guide further down the page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file before running it.

What happened to VMware Workstation Player?

Player is being phased out. Broadcom now points all users — including the original Player audience — to Workstation Pro, since Pro is itself free. Player still installs and runs, but no new features land on it.

Why do I need a Broadcom account to download a free product?

After Broadcom acquired VMware in late 2023, the entire VMware download estate moved from my.vmware.com to support.broadcom.com. The Broadcom portal is the only authoritative source for installers and the gating account is also how Broadcom satisfies its export-compliance obligations. Account creation is free and takes about a minute.

Is Workstation Pro 26H1 the same as version 18?

There is no version-18 line. Broadcom skipped the version-18 label and switched to calendar-based naming: 25H2 meant "the second release of 2025," and 26H1 — the current major build — means "the first release of 2026." Future releases follow 26H2, 27H1, and so on.

Does Workstation Pro work alongside Hyper-V and WSL2?

Yes, on Workstation 17.5.2 and newer (including 25H2). The hypervisor now layers on top of the Windows Hypervisor Platform, so it cooperates with Hyper-V, WSL2, Docker Desktop, and Windows Sandbox simultaneously. Just keep Windows Hypervisor Platform enabled in Windows Features.

What is the difference between Workstation Pro and VMware Fusion?

They are the same product family, split by host OS. Workstation Pro runs on Windows and Linux. Fusion Pro runs on macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon). Feature parity is high — both got the free-for-everyone treatment in November 2024.

Where is the official download URL?

There is no static direct-download URL. Broadcom serves installers behind a free authenticated portal at support.broadcom.com. Any third-party site offering a one-click download is mirroring the binary unofficially — do not trust it. Always grab installers from Broadcom directly.

Will Broadcom start charging again later?

Broadcom has not announced any plan to revert. The free move was positioned as a long-term direction to focus paid offerings on enterprise infrastructure (vSphere, vSAN, Cloud Foundation), with desktop hypervisors free as an on-ramp. Like any vendor decision, it could change — this page tracks current reality.

How big is the installer?

The current Workstation Pro 26H1 Windows .exe is roughly 274 MB and the Linux .bundle roughly 325 MB. Older 17.x builds are larger — around 400–620 MB. Plan for a couple of gigabytes free on disk for the install plus 60–120 GB per typical guest VM.

Can I run Windows 11 with TPM and Secure Boot in Workstation Pro?

Yes. Workstation Pro implements virtual TPM 2.0 and virtual Secure Boot. New Windows 11 VMs created on 26H1 (or 25H2) use a TPM-backed VM by default. The VM file (.vmx) is encrypted to protect the virtual TPM keys.

Workstation Pro 17.x vs 26H1 — should I upgrade?

Yes, in almost every case. 26H1 is the current release; 17.6.4 is the final 17.x build and only receives security backports. Upgrading from 17.x to 26H1 removes the license-key prompt entirely (Workstation Pro is now free), keeps Hyper-V/WSL2 coexistence working, and gives you the 25H2 line's newer guest OS presets and 3D acceleration improvements. The only reason to stay on 17.x is if your host OS or hardware is no longer supported by the calendar-versioned line.

Which version should I download — 26H1, 25H2, 25H2u1, or 17.6.4?

For new installs on a supported Windows host, download 26H1 — it is the current major build. 25H2u1 is the most recent stability update on the 25H2 line; pick it only if you need to stay on 25H2 for a specific reason. 25H2 (without u1) is superseded by 25H2u1. 17.6.4 is the final 17.x build, kept available for hosts or workflows that have not migrated to the calendar-versioned line. All four are direct downloads on this page — no Broadcom account, no license key.

Where do the installers on this site come from?

They are hosted on GitHub Releases, which serves files as true direct downloads via a global CDN. Clicking a button starts the download immediately — no authentication wall, no captcha, no redirect.

How do I verify a download is genuine?

Compute the SHA-256 hash of the file you downloaded and compare it against the value published on Broadcom's official release notes. We walk through the commands on the Verify Your Download page.

Where does the file download from?

The download buttons link directly to the installer files on GitHub Releases, which hosts them on a fast global CDN. Clicking a button starts the download straight from there — expect a few minutes for the 274 MB Windows installer on typical residential broadband.

Why is the page styled like the Workstation Pro 25H2 app?

Because the page is the app, in a sense — a recognisable interface for users who already know the product and want the installer with the least friction. The launcher tiles, sidebar, and toolbar are all functional shortcuts.

View the full FAQ page →

Workstation Pro is a Type-2 hypervisor: it runs on top of your existing operating system rather than replacing it. The host must expose CPU virtualization extensions for guests to perform well.

Windows host

CPU

64-bit x86 CPU with VT-x or AMD-V (most CPUs since 2011). Apple Silicon Macs are not supported — use Fusion.

Memory

4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended, 16 GB+ if you run Windows 11 or modern Linux guests.

Disk

~2 GB for the host install, plus 60–120 GB per typical guest VM.

Operating system

Windows 10 21H2 (64-bit) or newer, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019 or 2022.

Other

Latest GPU driver for 3D acceleration. Windows Hypervisor Platform feature must be enabled if you also run WSL2 or Hyper-V — Workstation 25H2 detects this automatically.

Linux host

CPU

64-bit x86 CPU with VT-x or AMD-V. KVM and Workstation cannot run guests at the same time, but they can both be installed.

Memory

4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended.

Disk

~2 GB for the host install, plus 60–120 GB per typical guest VM.

Operating system

Any modern x86_64 distribution: Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04, Debian 12, Fedora 40+, RHEL 9, Arch (current), openSUSE Tumbleweed.

Other

Kernel headers and a working GCC toolchain are required so the bundle can build vmmon and vmnet modules. Secure Boot can be enabled if you sign the modules — see the troubleshooting section.

macOS host (Fusion)

Fusion 25H2 supports macOS 13 (Ventura) and newer, on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. It cannot run x86_64 Windows guests natively on Apple Silicon — those rely on Rosetta-style translation and run with reduced performance. ARM Windows installations run at native speed.

View full system requirements →

The 25H2 line is the first calendar-versioned release in the Workstation Pro family. It is the successor to 17.6.4, with a mix of polish, performance improvements, and updated guest OS support. The current major build is Workstation Pro 26H1, which carries forward everything in 25H2 — download it from the table at the top of this page.

See also: System Requirements · Troubleshooting.

View full release notes →

The Workstation family has three editions that share a codebase. Pro and Fusion are the full hypervisors; Player is the cut-down runtime that Broadcom is winding down. All three are now free of charge.

Most users want Workstation Pro on Windows or Linux, or Fusion Pro on macOS. Player is only worth installing if you need to run a single pre-built virtual appliance and nothing else.

View full comparison page →

The six issues people run into most often when installing Workstation Pro on Windows or Linux, with the fix for each.

If your issue isn't here, check the official documentation at docs.vmware.com.

View full troubleshooting guide →

Run the installer you downloaded. There is no license key to enter on first launch — just choose the free use option and you're in.

Windows

1. Right-click the downloaded VMware-Workstation-Full-26H1-*.exe (or 25H2u1 / 25H2 / 17.6.4, whichever you chose) and select Run as administrator.
2. Accept the EULA, pick an install path, and let the installer add itself to PATH.
3. When prompted about Enhanced Keyboard Driver, accept it if you plan to capture key combinations like Ctrl+Alt+Del inside guests.
4. Reboot when the installer asks. No license key is required — Workstation Pro 26H1 (and 25H2) are free for personal and commercial use.
5. Launch VMware Workstation Pro and choose "Use Workstation Pro for free for personal/commercial use" on first launch.

Linux

1. Open a terminal in the folder containing the .bundle file.
2. Make it executable: chmod +x VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2-*.bundle
3. Run as root: sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2-*.bundle
4. Accept the EULA prompts. The installer compiles vmmon and vmnet modules against your running kernel — install kernel headers first if it complains (apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r) on Debian/Ubuntu, dnf install kernel-devel kernel-headers on Fedora/RHEL).
5. Launch with vmware from any terminal. Pick the free option on first launch.

macOS (Fusion)

Mount the .dmg by double-clicking, drag VMware Fusion to the Applications folder, and launch it from there. The first launch prompts for administrator credentials to install kernel extensions and the Networking framework. Apple Silicon users may need to grant Fusion accessibility permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Before installing, see Verify Your Download to confirm the installer is genuine.

View full installation guide →

The installer files we host are served from GitHub Releases and are the original Broadcom-published binaries. Before installing anything, verify the file's SHA-256 hash against the value Broadcom publishes in the official release notes.

Windows (PowerShell or cmd.exe)

certutil -hashfile VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2u1-25219725.exe SHA256

Linux

sha256sum VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2u1-25219725.x86_64.bundle

macOS

shasum -a 256 VMware-Fusion-25H2u1-25219963_universal.dmg

What to compare against

Broadcom publishes the canonical SHA-256 value in the release notes for each build on docs.vmware.com and on the support portal next to each installer. The two values must match byte-for-byte. If they differ, delete the file and download it again — never run an installer whose hash doesn't match the publisher's value.

Why this matters

We host the original Broadcom-published binaries on GitHub Releases. While we have no reason to suspect tampering, the only safe practice for any third-party-served binary is to verify its hash against the upstream publisher. SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash; a single bit altered in the file produces a completely different output value.

View full verification guide →

Creating a new virtual machine (VM) in VMware Workstation Pro is straightforward. This step-by-step guide covers everything from downloading the installer to configuring your first VM — optimized for Windows 10 and Windows 11 hosts.

Step 1: Download and install Workstation Pro

Download the latest VMware Workstation Pro 26H1installer for Windows. Run the .exe as administrator, accept the EULA, and let the installer complete. No license key is required — Workstation Pro is free for all users.

Step 2: Launch and create a new VM

Open VMware Workstation Pro from your Start menu. Click Create a New Virtual Machine on the home screen, or go to File → New Virtual Machine. The New Virtual Machine Wizard guides you through the process.

Step 3: Choose installation method

Select Installer disc image file (iso) if you have an OS installer, or I will install the operating system later to configure hardware first. Workstation Pro supports Easy Install for Windows, Ubuntu, and many Linux distributions — it automates partitioning and user setup.

Step 4: Configure hardware

Allocate CPU cores, RAM, and disk space. For a Windows 11 VM, we recommend 2+ cores, 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended), and 60 GB disk. Workstation Pro supports virtual TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for Windows 11 compatibility.

Step 5: Install the guest OS

Power on the VM and install your operating system. After the OS installs, go to VM → Install VMware Tools to enable drivers, drag-and-drop, shared folders, and seamless mode.

Tip: Clone an existing VM

Once you have a baseline VM configured, use VM → Manage → Clone to create linked or full copies. Linked clones save disk space by sharing the base disk.

See also: System Requirements · Installation Guide · Verify Your Download.

View full guide →

Open and run virtual machines created in VMware Workstation Pro, VMware Player, ESXi, or vCenter. This guide covers importing VMs from other hypervisors, opening downloaded VMs, and troubleshooting common issues on Windows hosts.

Open a VM from disk

Launch VMware Workstation Pro and click Open a Virtual Machine on the home screen, or go to File → Open. Navigate to the folder containing the .vmx configuration file and select it. The VM appears in your library instantly.

Import a VM from another hypervisor

Workstation Pro can import VMs from VirtualBox, Hyper-V, Microsoft Virtual PC, and Symantec LiveState Recovery. Go to File → Importand follow the wizard. The importer converts disk formats and reconfigures hardware settings automatically.

Open a VM downloaded from the internet

Many pre-built VMs are distributed as .ova or .ovf packages. Go to File → Openand select the OVF file. Workstation Pro verifies the package integrity and imports it. Always verify checksums before opening VMs from untrusted sources.

Troubleshooting: VM won't start

If a VM fails to power on, check these common issues: VT-x/AMD-V must be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI. Hyper-V can conflict with older Workstation versions — ensure you're on 17.5.2 or newer for coexistence. If the VM was created on a newer Workstation version, you may need to upgrade your installation.

Shared folders and drag-and-drop

After opening a VM, install VMware Tools (VM → Install VMware Tools) to enable file sharing between host and guest. Go to VM → Settings → Options → Shared Folders to map host directories into the guest.

See also: Troubleshooting · Create a New VM · FAQ.

View full guide →

Connect VMware Workstation Pro to remote VMware ESXi or vCenter Server instances to manage datacenter VMs from your desktop. This guide covers setting up remote connections, managing VMs, and transferring files between your local workstation and the datacenter.

Connect to ESXi or vCenter

In Workstation Pro, go to File → Connect to Server. Enter the hostname or IP address of your ESXi host or vCenter Server. Choose VMware vSphere as the server type, enter your credentials, and click Connect. The remote inventory appears in your library alongside local VMs.

Manage remote VMs from your desktop

Once connected, you can power on/off remote VMs, edit their settings, take snapshots, and open console windows — all from Workstation Pro. This is ideal for developers who need to test against datacenter infrastructure without logging into the vSphere Web Client.

Upload and download VMs

Drag and drop VMs between your local library and the remote server inventory. Workstation Pro handles the file transfer over the network. You can also use File → Export to OVF to package a local VM for upload to ESXi.

Remote server requirements

Workstation Pro 26H1 supports connections to ESXi 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0, as well as vCenter Server 7.0 and newer. Ensure your ESXi host allows API access (enabled by default) and that your firewall permits port 443 (HTTPS) traffic.

Troubleshooting connection issues

If you can't connect: verify the ESXi hostname resolves, confirm credentials, and check that the ESXi management interface is accessible from your network. Self-signed certificate warnings are normal for standalone ESXi hosts — you can accept and proceed.

See also: Installation Guide · Troubleshooting · VMware Documentation ↗.

View full guide →