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How to Download VMware Workstation Player for Windows and Linux
Learn how to obtain VMware Workstation Player from the official VMware/Broadcom portal, verify compatibility, choose the correct host installer, and validate the download.
VMware Workstation Player is a desktop virtualization application. It acts as a hypervisor: software that creates and runs virtual machines (VMs) on a physical computer.
A VM is a software-defined computer with virtual CPU, memory, storage, and network devices. You can use Workstation Player to run supported guest operating systems and open existing virtual machines while continuing to use the host computer normally.
Understand the Host and Guest Operating Systems
The host operating system is the operating system installed directly on the physical computer. Install Workstation Player on this system.
The guest operating system runs inside a virtual machine. For example, a Windows laptop can host a VM running Linux. In that case, you download the Windows host installer, even though the planned guest is Linux.
| Layer | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Physical hardware | Processor, RAM, storage, and network adapter | Provides the resources used by the host and VMs |
| Host operating system | Windows or a supported Linux distribution | Runs VMware Workstation Player |
| Hypervisor | VMware Workstation Player | Creates and manages virtual hardware for VMs |
| Guest operating system | Linux running inside a VM on Windows | Runs inside the virtual machine |
Check Current Availability and Licensing
Download availability and licensing can vary by Workstation release and by the current VMware/Broadcom portal process. Personal, educational, non-commercial, commercial, and organizational use may be governed by different terms.
Before downloading, review the current official license agreement, product availability notice, and any entitlement or account requirements shown by the vendor. Do not assume that an older registration, payment, or free-use rule applies to every release.
Use the Official Download Source
Obtain the installer through the official VMware/Broadcom software download experience. Search the portal for the exact product name, identify the applicable Workstation Player release, and confirm that the download page identifies the host platform you need.
- Open the official VMware/Broadcom software download portal.
- Sign in or create an account if the current portal requires it.
- Locate the Workstation Player product listing rather than a similarly named tool or a third-party repackaging.
- Choose the release that matches your compatibility and licensing requirements.
- Accept or review the displayed license and download conditions.
- Select the Windows or Linux host package.
Avoid unofficial mirrors, modified installers, cracks, and download sites that bundle unrelated software. Such files can be incomplete, altered, or malicious, and they may not receive the same integrity information as the official package.
Choose the Host Platform Package
Choose the package according to the operating system installed on the physical computer. The guest operating system does not determine this choice; it is selected later when you create or configure a VM.
| Host computer operating system | Correct package | Typical installer format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 64-bit host | Windows host package | Windows executable installer, commonly .exe | Install on supported 64-bit Windows. |
| Supported Linux 64-bit host | Linux host package | Linux bundle, commonly .bundle | Installation may require execute permission and sudo. |
| 32-bit host operating system | None | Not supported | A 32-bit host operating system cannot run the product. |
Example: Windows Host With a Linux Guest
If your physical laptop runs 64-bit Windows and you intend to install Linux inside a VM, download the Windows package. The Linux ISO or other guest installation media is used later during VM creation.
Confirm the 64-Bit Requirement
VMware Workstation Player requires a compatible 64-bit host operating system and compatible 64-bit processor hardware. A 32-bit host operating system has no supported installation path for this product.
Check Windows Architecture
Open Settings > System > About and inspect System type. You can also run:
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"System Type"The result should identify a 64-bit operating system or an equivalent 64-bit system type. If Windows is 32-bit, verify hardware compatibility before considering an operating-system upgrade; upgrading may require appropriate hardware, licensing, and a backup.
Check Linux Architecture
uname -m
getconf LONG_BITCommon 64-bit results include x86_64 from uname -m and 64 from getconf LONG_BIT.
Review System Requirements and Virtualization Prerequisites
Use the requirements for the specific Workstation release you plan to download. Supported Windows and Linux host versions, processor support, kernel compatibility, and other requirements can change between releases.
- CPU: The processor must support the virtualization extensions required by the release. Intel systems generally use Intel VT-x, Intel's hardware virtualization technology. AMD systems generally use AMD-V, AMD's equivalent technology.
- Firmware: Intel VT-x or AMD-V may be disabled in UEFI/BIOS, the computer firmware configuration interface. The setting may be named Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, AMD-V, SVM Mode, or Virtualization Technology.
- Memory: Reserve enough RAM for the host operating system, Workstation Player, and each planned VM. A VM's assigned memory is taken from the host while it runs.
- Storage: Allow space for the application, VM configuration files, virtual disks, snapshots if used, and guest installation media.
- CPU capacity: A VM also consumes virtual processor capacity. Running several VMs or demanding workloads requires more physical CPU resources.
- Display: Confirm that the host graphics hardware and drivers meet the release requirements, especially if the guest will use graphical applications or accelerated graphics.
- Privileges: Installation commonly requires a Windows administrator account or Linux
sudoaccess.
Check Virtualization on Windows
Open Task Manager > Performance > CPU and review the Virtualization field. You can also run:
systeminfoIf virtualization is disabled, restart the computer and enter its UEFI/BIOS setup. Enable the applicable virtualization setting, save the change, and restart.
Check Virtualization on Linux
lscpu | grep -i virtualization
grep -E -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfovmx usually indicates Intel virtualization support, while svm usually indicates AMD virtualization support. These commands help identify capability, but firmware settings can still prevent virtualization from being available.
Check Linux Memory and Storage
free -h
df -hUse the results to confirm that the host has sufficient free memory and disk space for the planned guest. The guest operating system needs its own virtual disk, memory allocation, and installation media in addition to the host's requirements.
Pre-Download Compatibility Checklist
| Requirement | Why it matters | How to check | What to do if unmet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64-bit host OS | The product requires a compatible 64-bit host. | Windows System type; Linux uname -m and getconf LONG_BIT. | Use a compatible 64-bit installation and hardware. |
| Supported CPU | The hypervisor needs compatible processor features. | Check the processor model and the release requirements. | Use supported hardware. |
| Intel VT-x or AMD-V | Hardware virtualization improves and may be required for VM execution. | Windows Task Manager or Linux lscpu and /proc/cpuinfo. | Confirm that the CPU supports the feature. |
| Virtualization enabled in firmware | Supported CPU features must be exposed to the hypervisor. | Check Task Manager, system information, or UEFI/BIOS. | Enable the setting and restart. |
| Available RAM | The host and each VM need memory at the same time. | Windows Task Manager; Linux free -h. | Reduce VM allocations or add physical memory. |
| Available storage | VM disks and guest media can consume substantial space. | File Explorer or Linux df -h. | Free space or use another suitable drive. |
| Supported host OS version | Each release supports a defined set of Windows and Linux versions. | Compare the host version with the selected release requirements. | Choose a compatible release or host. |
| Administrator or sudo access | Installation can add services, drivers, network components, or kernel modules. | Confirm access with the system owner or administrator. | Ask an administrator to perform or authorize installation. |
Download VMware Workstation Player
- Identify the physical computer's host operating system and architecture.
- Confirm the selected Workstation release supports that host version, processor, and virtualization configuration.
- Open the official VMware/Broadcom download portal.
- Choose the correct Workstation Player release and host platform.
- Review the displayed license, account, entitlement, and download conditions.
- Start the download and wait for the browser to report completion.
- Locate the file in the browser's Downloads folder or the destination you selected.
- Record the release version. Retain the installer only when permitted by your licensing terms and organizational policy.
Windows downloads normally appear as an executable installer, while Linux downloads commonly use a bundle package. The exact filename and extension can vary by release, so use the official portal's displayed filename as the authority.
Validate the Download Before Running It
Validation helps detect an incomplete or altered file. A checksum is a cryptographic value calculated from a file. SHA-256 is a commonly used hash algorithm. If the vendor publishes a SHA-256 value, calculate the value locally and compare it exactly, character by character.
| Check | Platform | Purpose | Expected result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital signature or publisher check | Windows | Helps verify the file's claimed publisher. | The file properties show a valid signature from the expected publisher when a signature is provided. |
| SHA-256 checksum comparison | Windows and Linux | Detects corruption or changes to the file. | The locally calculated hash exactly matches the vendor's published value. |
| File size comparison | Windows and Linux | Provides a basic indication that the transfer completed. | The size is consistent with the value published or shown by the official download. |
| Endpoint security scan | Windows and Linux | Applies the computer's standard malware controls. | The scan completes without a security alert. |
Check a Windows Installer
Right-click the downloaded file, open Properties, and inspect the Digital Signatures tab when available. Verify that the signature is valid and that the publisher is the expected vendor. Also review any warning from Windows security controls rather than bypassing it automatically.
To calculate SHA-256 in PowerShell:
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 "C:\Path\To\VMware-Installer.exe"Check a Linux Installer
sha256sum VMware-Installer.bundleCompare the output with the SHA-256 value published by the vendor for the same release and package. If the values differ, do not run the installer. Delete it, check that you selected the correct package, and download it again from the official source.
Troubleshooting Download and Compatibility Problems
No Download Button or Installer Access
- Confirm that you are using the official VMware/Broadcom portal and the exact Workstation Player product listing.
- Review sign-in, license acceptance, and support or download entitlement prompts.
- Check whether the release has moved to another section of the current portal.
- Try a supported browser or troubleshoot a corporate proxy, browser extension, or network policy according to your organization's rules.
The Windows Installer Will Not Start
- Check the file size, publisher signature, and SHA-256 value when available.
- Download the file again from the official source if it is incomplete or corrupted.
- Confirm that you selected the Windows package for a supported 64-bit Windows host.
- Use appropriate administrative permissions and follow Windows security prompts carefully.
The Linux Installer Will Not Run
- Confirm that the package is intended for a Linux host.
- Check that the file has execute permission when appropriate, then use the required administrative privileges.
- Review the selected release's Linux distribution, kernel, compiler-tool, and kernel-header requirements before installation.
Virtualization Is Disabled or Unavailable
- Enable Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or the corresponding SVM setting in UEFI/BIOS, then reboot.
- Confirm that the CPU supports the required virtualization extensions.
- Review compatibility guidance for Hyper-V, Windows virtualization-based security, and other hypervisors or security features that may use virtualization capabilities.
The Wrong Package Was Selected
If you selected the Linux installer because the planned VM will run Linux, return to the host-platform decision. The installer must match the physical computer's operating system. Select Linux as the guest operating system later, during VM creation.
The Host Is 32-Bit
There is no supported 32-bit host installation path. Use a compatible 64-bit computer or consider an operating-system upgrade only after confirming hardware compatibility, licensing, backups, and organizational approval.
What Happens After the Download
Installation is the next step after the installer has fully downloaded and passed your validation checks. Windows installation typically uses the downloaded executable. Linux installation may require execute permission, sudo, and preparation for network or kernel components.
Use platform-specific installation guidance for VMware Workstation Player on Windows or Linux, then continue with creating a VM, selecting guest installation media, and allocating suitable CPU, memory, and storage resources.