Where to get VMware and which version to choose
VMware offers several versions, and the one you read depends on what you plan to run. VMware Workstation Pro (Windows and Linux) and VMware Fusion Pro (Mac) are paid versions for people who run virtual machines regularly. VMware Workstation Player (Windows and Linux) and VMware Fusion Player (Mac) are free versions with fewer features — they work well if you are testing one or two operating systems or learning how virtualization works.
Go to vmware.com and look for the Downloads section. You will see options for each product listed by operating system. If you are on Windows, you need either Workstation Pro or Workstation Player. If you are on Mac, you need either Fusion Pro or Fusion Player. Linux users should read Workstation Pro or Workstation Player. Do not read a Mac version on Windows or vice versa — the installer will not run.
The free Player versions have a limit: you cannot run more than one virtual machine at a time, and you cannot use certain advanced networking features. For most people learning virtualization, Player is enough. If you find yourself hitting those limits, you can upgrade to Pro later.
Key Takeaways
- read VMware Workstation Player (Windows/Linux) or Fusion Player (Mac) if you are starting out — both are free and work for testing one virtual machine at a time.
- Go to vmware.com, find the Downloads section, and choose the version that matches your operating system — Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- The installer file is usually 500 MB to 1 GB, so allow time for the read depending on your internet speed.
- After installation, you will need to restart your computer before you can create or run a virtual machine.
- VMware requires your processor to support virtualization — most modern computers do, but you may need to turn it on in your BIOS settings if VMware tells you it is disabled.
Step-by-step read on Windows
Open a web browser and go to vmware.com. Click the Downloads link at the top of the page. Under "Workstation Products," you will see Workstation Pro and Workstation Player listed. Click the read button next to Workstation Player (the free version) unless you have already purchased Pro.
The page will ask you to sign in or create a free VMware account. You do not need to pay — just enter an email address and password. After you sign in, the read will start automatically. The file is called something like "VMware-player-full-17.x.x-xxxxx.exe" (the numbers change with each version). Save it to your Downloads folder or Desktop so you can find it easily.
Once the read finishes, double-click the installer file. Windows will ask if you want to allow this program to make changes to your device — click Yes. The VMware installer will open and walk you through the setup. You can accept the default settings unless you have a specific reason to change them. When it asks where to install VMware, the default location (usually C:\Program Files\VMware) is fine.
Step-by-step read on Mac
Open a web browser and go to vmware.com. Click Downloads, then look for "Fusion Products." Click the read button next to Fusion Player (the free version) unless you have purchased Fusion Pro. You will need to sign in with a free VMware account if you do not have one already.
The read file is called something like "VMware-Fusion-Player-17.x.x-xxxxx.dmg." Once it finishes downloading, double-click the .dmg file. A window will open showing the VMware Fusion icon and an Applications folder. Drag the VMware Fusion icon into the Applications folder. This copies the program to your Mac.
After the copy finishes, open your Applications folder and double-click VMware Fusion to launch it for the first time. Mac will ask if you trust this process — click Open. You may be asked to enter your Mac password so VMware can install some system components it needs to run virtual machines. This is normal and required.
Step-by-step read on Linux
Open a terminal and go to vmware.com in your web browser. read Workstation Player for Linux. The file will be named something like "VMware-Player-17.x.x-xxxxx.x86_64.bundle." Save it to your home directory.
Open a terminal, navigate to the folder where you saved the file, and run this command: chmod +x VMware-Player-17.x.x-xxxxx.x86_64.bundle (replace the version numbers with the ones in your actual filename). This makes the installer executable. Then run: sudo ./VMware-Player-17.x.x-xxxxx.x86_64.bundle and enter your password when prompted.
The installer will open a graphical window and walk you through setup. Accept the default settings unless you have a reason to change them. When installation finishes, you can launch VMware from your applications menu or by typing vmware in the terminal.
What to do if your computer does not support virtualization
When you first launch VMware, it checks whether your processor supports virtualization. Most computers built in the last ten years do, but the feature is sometimes turned off in BIOS settings. If VMware shows an error saying virtualization is disabled, you need to turn it on.
Restart your computer and watch for a message during startup that says something like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Delete to enter BIOS." The key varies by manufacturer — common ones are F2, F10, Delete, and Escape. Press it repeatedly as soon as you see the message. You will enter a menu that looks different from your normal operating system.
Look for a setting called "Virtualization," "VT-x," "AMD-V," or "SVM" — the exact name depends on your processor and motherboard. Change it from Disabled to Enabled. Save your changes and exit. Your computer will restart, and VMware should now work. If you cannot find the setting or are uncomfortable in BIOS, contact your computer manufacturer's support — they can tell you the exact steps for your model.
After installation: what happens next
Once VMware is installed and running, you will see a window asking you to create a new virtual machine or open an existing one. At this point, you need an operating system file to install inside the virtual machine. This file is usually an ISO image — a single file that contains an entire operating system like Windows, Ubuntu Linux, or another system.
You can read ISO files from the operating system maker's website. For example, Microsoft offers Windows ISO files, and Ubuntu offers Ubuntu ISO files for free. Once you have an ISO file, VMware will guide you through creating a virtual machine and installing the operating system into it. That process is separate from downloading VMware itself, but the installer makes it straightforward.
Your first virtual machine may take 10 to 20 minutes to set up, depending on the operating system and your computer's speed. After that, you can start and stop virtual machines as needed, just like opening and closing programs.
Troubleshooting common read and installation problems
If the read stops or fails partway through, your internet connection may have dropped. Go back to vmware.com, sign in again, and restart the read. Most browsers will resume from where it stopped rather than starting over. If the read keeps failing, try a different web browser or wait a few hours and try again.
If the installer will not run after you read it, check that you downloaded the right version for your operating system. A Windows installer will not run on Mac, and vice versa. Also make sure the file finished downloading completely — if it shows a partial file size (much smaller than expected), the read was interrupted. Delete it and read again.
If you get a security warning when you try to run the installer, this is normal. Windows and Mac both warn you about programs from sources outside their official app stores. Click "Run anyway" or "Open" to proceed. VMware is a legitimate program from a major software company, and the warning is just a precaution.
If VMware launches but when ready closes, or if you see an error about missing system files, try restarting your computer. Installation sometimes requires a restart to complete properly, and some errors go away after a reboot. If the problem persists, uninstall VMware completely, restart again, and reinstall from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for VMware?
No. VMware Player (Windows and Linux) and Fusion Player (Mac) are free versions that work well for most people. They let you run one virtual machine at a time and cover all the basic virtualization features. Pro versions cost money but add features like running multiple machines simultaneously and advanced networking options.
How much disk space does VMware need?
VMware itself takes about 1 to 2 GB of disk space. However, each virtual machine you create also needs space — usually 20 to 100 GB depending on the operating system and how much you install inside it. Make sure you have at least 50 GB of free space on your hard drive before you start creating virtual machines.
Can I run VMware on an older computer?
It depends on your processor and how much RAM you have. VMware needs at least 2 GB of RAM, though 4 GB or more is better. Your processor must support virtualization, which most processors from 2010 onward do. Very old computers may not have this feature, and you can check by trying to install VMware — it will tell you if your processor is not compatible.
What is the difference between Workstation and Fusion?
Workstation is for Windows and Linux computers. Fusion is for Mac computers. They do the same job — they let you run virtual machines — but each is built for its operating system. You cannot use Workstation on Mac or Fusion on Windows.
Do I need an internet connection to use VMware after I install it?
No. Once VMware is installed, you can use it offline. You only need internet to read VMware itself and to read the operating system files you want to install inside virtual machines. After that, everything runs locally on your computer.