# VMware Workstation

Application: Broadcom

Also called workstation pro, vmware player, vmware workstation pro

Broadcom, System

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

| 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.

| 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

| Typical install | C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\\ |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

VMX, VMDK, OVA

## 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.

| Download      | [www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html ](https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [knowledge.broadcom.com/ ](https://knowledge.broadcom.com/)Vendor support                                                              |
| Official site | [www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html ](https://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

Technical details

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

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[VirtualBox: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/virtualbox)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [VMware Workstation official site ](https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html)· Vendor product page
- [VMware Workstation help ](https://knowledge.broadcom.com/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Broadcom

  **Category**: Type-2 hypervisor

  **Process**: vmware.exe

  **License**: Broadcom-licensed. Player is the free sibling

  **First released**: 1999

  **Official site**: [vmware.com/workstation-pro](https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/vmware-workstation/)

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