VMware Workstation

ApplicationBroadcom

Also called workstation pro, vmware player, vmware workstation pro

BroadcomSystem

Type-2 hypervisor for Windows. Broadcom now owns VMware. Player is the free sibling. It is not VirtualBox.

What you need to know

Workstation is VMware's hypervisor. Broadcom owns it. Player is the free sibling.

vmware.exe runs guests on Windows. VirtualBox is a different hypervisor. Player is the free VMware sibling, not VirtualBox.

What is it?: Type-2 hypervisor
Still current?: Yes, see Current status
Official download?: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If someone sent a VirtualBox .ova and you only have Workstation, I would import it with care or use VirtualBox. I do not treat vmware.exe as VBoxSVC.

What is VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation runs guest VMs on Windows as a type-2 hypervisor. vmware.exe is the UI. vmware-vmx.exe is the VM. Hyper-V on the same PC can conflict unless you plan for it.

If you have never used it

If you need a full Windows or Linux VM on your desktop, Workstation is VMware's paid-line hypervisor. Broadcom owns VMware now, so downloads and licenses live on Broadcom properties. Player is the free sibling with fewer features. VirtualBox is Oracle's hypervisor, not this product.

What is it used for?

Desktop virtual machines

Windows or Linux guests on your PC. This is not a dual-boot and not WSL.

Snapshots and snapshots-heavy labs

Workstation Pro features. Player is the slimmer free sibling.

VMware Tools in the guest

Guest additions for mouse and video. VirtualBox Guest Additions will not work here.

Who is it for?

People who already have VMware VMs
Labs that prefer VMware over VirtualBox
Users who must pick Player versus Pro after the Broadcom change

Current status

VMware Workstation (1999) is a current type-2 hypervisor from Broadcom. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html.

How old is it?

Workstation dates to 1999. EMC, then Dell, then Broadcom bought VMware. A 2012 "download from vmware.com only" bookmark may now redirect through Broadcom.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Workstation Pro

Workstation Player (free sibling)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor
RAM	Host RAM plus whatever you assign the guest. Microsoft-class 8 GB hosts are tight with a 4 GB guest

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
vmware.exe	Main Windows executable
vmware-vmx.exe	Per-VM worker

Startup components

VMware services can start with Windows. VMs themselves start when you open them, unless you set autostart.

File locations

Common VMware Workstation locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\

File formats

VMXVMDKOVA

Common problems

Hyper-V or WSL 2 already owns the hypervisor

Windows may keep VMware from starting VMs until you sort hypervisor overlap. That is not a bad ISO.

Looked for a Player-only download on a stale mirror

Use Broadcom / VMware official pages. Player is still not VirtualBox.

Getting unstuck

Download from the current VMware or Broadcom product page

knowledge.broadcom.com has support. Random "Workstation 17 full" hosts are bait.

Install VMware Tools inside the guest

That is the VMware guest pack. VirtualBox Guest Additions belong in VirtualBox.

If VMs will not start, check Hyper-V / Memory Integrity overlap

Microsoft and VMware both document hypervisor conflicts. Do not delete vmware-vmx.exe.

Alternatives

VirtualBox is free and Oracle-owned. Hyper-V is the in-box Windows hypervisor. WSL is not a replacement guest OS desktop.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html Official installer or vendor page
Help	knowledge.broadcom.com/ Vendor support
Official site	www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

Guests want CPU virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) plus RAM you can spare. A current desktop CPU with virtualization on in firmware is the usual bar.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

VMware Workstation official site · Vendor product page
VMware Workstation help · Vendor support
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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