How to download and install VMware Workstation Pro (25H2) for free on Windows 11

• VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro are now free for personal use on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• The free Pro version removes the limitations of VMware Player and offers full professional features.
• Version 25H2 replaces the 17.x series and introduces a new calendar-based naming system.
• Workstation Pro 25H2 includes better Linux performance, improved 3D acceleration, and new diagnostic tools.
• Disabling Hyper-V on Windows 11 or 10 is recommended for the best VMware performance.

VMware, the renowned virtualization platform, has made Workstation Pro available for free, meaning anyone can download, install, and use the hypervisor on Windows 11, 10, Linux, and macOS for personal use.

If you ever wanted to create a virtual machine to run preview builds of Windows 11 or another operating system like Linux alongside your main setup without resorting to a dual-boot configuration, you were limited to the VMware Workstation Player offering. This offering was limited to running only one virtual machine at a time and lacked many features compared to the Pro version. On the other hand, you could also use Oracle’s VirtualBox, but it’s not as powerful as VMware Workstation Pro.

The news now is that VMware has announced it’s making its Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro available for free for personal use on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

According to the company, commercial licensing will continue to be available, but users will decide whether a commercial subscription is required. To obtain the bits to install VMware Workstation Pro, register on the Broadcom website, then download and install the Hypervisor app on your computer.

Related

How to install VirtualBox on Windows 11, 10 (2026)

In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to download and install the VMware Hypervisor on Windows 11 or 10 in 2026 and beyond.

• Download VMware Workstation Pro for Windows 11
• Install VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11
• FAQs about installing VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11

Download VMware Workstation Pro for Windows 11

To register and download the VMware hypervisor on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open the Broadcom Register page.

   Quick note: If you’re a registered member, click on “Login” from the top-right corner.

2. Confirm your email and complete the human verification process.

   

3. Click the Next button.

4. Confirm the verification code.

5. Click the “Verify & Continue” button.

6. Complete the required information.

   

7. Click the Create Account button.

8. Click the “I’ll do it later” button (if applicable).

9. Open the Software menu, choose VMware Cloud Foundation, and click on My Downloads.

   

10. Click the “Free Software Downloads available Here” option.

    

11. Click on VMware Workstation Pro from the right side.

    

12. Click the “VMware Workstation Pro 25H2 for Windows” option.

    

13. Click the latest version available, for example, version 25H2.

14. Check the “I agree” option to make the installer available for download from the top-left.

15. Click the Download button.

    

16. Click the Yes button.

17. Click the Submit button to complete the trade compliance verification.

18. Click the Download button again (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps and the protocol, the VMware installer will download it to your computer.

The main difference between VMware Workstation 17 Pro and Workstation Pro 25H2 is that 25H2 is the successor to the version 17 series, marking a shift to a calendar-based naming convention (Year + Half of Year). Released in late 2024, 25H2 effectively serves as “Workstation 18” but follows VMware’s new branding under Broadcom.

In version 25H2, the notable improvements include the ditcTool, which is a new command-line utility that allows users to inspect and edit .vmx (configuration) files without opening the graphical interface. 

The new version improved visibility into whether the virtual machine is running in “User Level Monitor” (ULM) mode when Windows Hyper-V is enabled, which helps diagnose performance issues, and includes the latest patches for vulnerabilities (CVEs) present in earlier versions of 17.

Also, many users reported that 25H2 significantly improved interface responsiveness and 3D acceleration on Linux hosts compared to the later 17.x builds.

If you are currently on version 17, upgrading to version 25H2 is recommended. It provides a direct upgrade path to better compatibility with the latest Linux kernels and Windows updates (such as Windows 11 25H2). Since both are now free to download from the Broadcom Support Portal, there is little reason to stay on the older version unless you encounter a specific bug with your hardware.

Install VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11

To install VMware Workstation Pro 25H2 on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Open the installer location.

3. Double-click the VMware Workstation full executable file.

4. Click the Next button.

5. Check the I accept option.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the Next button one more time.

   

   Quick tip: On this page, you may see two different messages, including “Hyper-V is not detected on the host. Virtual machines will run using VMware’s hypervisor,” which is the ideal scenario. If you receive the “The installer detected that the host has Hyper-V or Device/Credential Guard enabled. Virtual machines will be launched using Windows Hypervisor Platform“ message, you’ll be able to install VMware, but it’ll use Windows 11 virtualization technology, which can impact virtual machine performance.

8. Click the Next button.

9. (Optional) Check the “Check for product updates on startup” option.

   

10. (Optional) Clear the “Join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program” option.

11. Click the Next button.

12. (Optional) Check the Desktop option.

13. Check the “Start Menu Programs Folder” option.

    

14. Click the Next button.

15. Click the Install button.

    

16. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will restart to finish the installation, and then you can start creating virtual machines for Windows 11, 10, Linux, and other operating systems.

As part of the hardware and software requirements to install Workstation Pro, the computer must have Windows 10 or 11, a compatible multi-core 64-bit (x86) processor at 1.3GHz or higher, 4GB of RAM (more is better), and 1.2GB of storage space.

Also, it’s a good idea to create and store virtual machines on secondary drives rather than on the primary system drive to avoid performance impact.

It’s recommended to disable Hyper-V on Windows 11 (or 10) as it may cause problems and conflicts with VMware Workstation Pro. Furthermore, ideally, you want only one Hypervisor installed on your computer.

Finally, make sure hardware virtualization is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI before installation.

If you previously had the Player version of VMware, you only have to uninstall the app and install the Pro version.

FAQs about installing VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about downloading and installing the free version of VMWare Workstation Pro.

Is VMware Workstation Pro really free now?

Yes. VMware has made Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro free for personal use on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Commercial use still requires a paid license, which users can choose based on their needs.

Do I need a product key to use VMware Workstation Pro for free?

No. For personal use, no product key is required. You only need to register for a free Broadcom account to download and install the software.

What is the difference between VMware Workstation Pro 25H2 and version 17?

Workstation Pro 25H2 is the successor to the 17.x series, using a new calendar-based naming system. It includes security fixes, better Linux performance, improved 3D acceleration, clearer Hyper-V diagnostics, and a new command-line tool for editing VM configuration files.

Should I upgrade from VMware Workstation 17 to 25H2?

Yes, upgrading is recommended. Version 25H2 offers better compatibility with Windows 11 25H2 and newer Linux kernels, improved performance, and is now free to download, removing the main reason to stay on version 17.

Does VMware Workstation Pro work with Hyper-V enabled?

It can run with Hyper-V enabled, but performance may be reduced because virtual machines will use the Windows Hypervisor Platform instead of VMware’s native hypervisor. For best performance, disabling Hyper-V is recommended.

Is VMware Workstation Pro better than VirtualBox?

For most advanced users, yes. VMware Workstation Pro generally offers better performance, stronger 3D acceleration, and more mature tooling than VirtualBox, especially for Windows 11 and modern Linux distributions.

Can I run Windows 11 preview builds using VMware Workstation Pro?

Yes. VMware Workstation Pro is well-suited for running Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, test environments, and alternative operating systems without dual-booting.

What are the system requirements for VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 11?

You need Windows 10 or Windows 11, a 64-bit multi-core processor with hardware virtualization, at least 4GB of memory, and around 1.2GB of storage, not including virtual machines.

Do I need to uninstall VMware Player before installing Workstation Pro?

Yes. If VMware Player is already installed, you should uninstall it first, then install Workstation Pro. Your existing virtual machines can still be used after the upgrade.

What virtualization Hypervisor are you using? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments.