VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

How to Install VMware Workstation Player on Windows

Learn how to safely install VMware Player, also known as VMware Workstation Player, on Windows, configure setup options, restart if required, and verify the installation.

What This Installation Covers

VMware Player is the earlier name for VMware's Windows desktop virtualization application. Later releases have commonly used the name VMware Workstation Player. The application runs virtual machines (VMs), which are software-defined computers with virtual hardware.

This lesson covers installing the virtualization application on a Windows host operating system. It does not cover creating a VM or installing a guest operating system, which is the operating system running inside a VM. After installation, you can create a new VM, open an existing VM, or open a virtual appliance.

VMware Workstation Player is intended for running and working with virtual machines. VMware Workstation Pro is a separate, more feature-rich VMware desktop product. The exact features and licensing options depend on the release, so use the product and license intended for your needs.

If you need the application first, see this VMware Player installation guide.

Pre-installation Checklist

Complete these checks before starting setup. Release requirements can change, so compare your Windows system with the requirements for the specific VMware release you selected.

Requirement	Why it matters	How to verify
Supported Windows version	The selected VMware release may support only particular Windows editions, builds, and processor architectures.	Open Windows Settings or System Information and compare the Windows edition, version, and system type with the release requirements.
Administrator access	Setup may install services, drivers, and network components that require elevation.	Confirm that you can sign in with an administrator account or obtain authorized administrator credentials.
Available disk space	The application needs space for its program files, and each VM can require many additional gigabytes.	Check free space on the destination drive in File Explorer. Leave room for future virtual disks, snapshots, and guest updates.
Trusted installer source	Unofficial repackaged installers can contain unwanted or harmful software.	Use the official vendor distribution channel or an approved organizational software portal. Optionally check the file publisher and a vendor-published checksum.
Hardware virtualization availability	Many guest operating systems and workloads need processor virtualization for efficient operation.	Check whether Intel VT-x or AMD-V is available and enabled. Firmware may label the setting Intel Virtualization Technology, VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM Mode.
Potential Hyper-V or security-feature conflict	Windows virtualization and security features can affect VMware compatibility or performance, depending on the VMware release.	Review Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Sandbox, Device Guard, and Credential Guard if a conflict is reported.
Backup of existing VMs	Application changes normally do not remove VM files, but major platform changes can still expose compatibility or storage risks.	Identify important VM folders and back them up before upgrading, repairing, or removing virtualization software.

Hardware Virtualization

Hardware virtualization is CPU support that helps virtualization software run guest workloads. Intel systems commonly refer to this as VT-x; AMD systems commonly refer to it as AMD-V or SVM Mode. If it is disabled, enable the appropriate option in UEFI or BIOS, then save the firmware changes and restart Windows.

Windows Hypervisor and Security Features

Features such as Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, and Windows Hypervisor Platform allow Windows to provide or use hypervisor services. Device Guard and Credential Guard can also change how virtualization is managed. Depending on the VMware version and Windows configuration, these features may cause a warning, reduce performance, or prevent a VM from starting.

Do not disable corporate security controls casually. On a managed computer, ask IT which settings are approved. Review Windows features only when VMware reports a hypervisor conflict or cannot start a VM.

Prepare for a Possible Restart

Close running applications and save your work before installation. VMware may need to install drivers, services, or virtual networking components, and Windows may request a restart before setup is fully complete.

Obtain the Correct Installer Safely

Use the official VMware distribution channel or an approved company software portal.
Select the Windows installer and the release that matches your host system and organizational requirements.
Save the installer to a known folder, such as the browser's Downloads folder.
In File Explorer, identify the Windows setup program. It is typically an installer executable, meaning an .exe file that launches setup.
Optionally open the file's properties to inspect publisher information, or compare its checksum with a checksum published by the vendor.

Avoid installers from file-sharing sites, unofficial download pages, or repackaging services. If the download appears incomplete or Windows reports that the file is damaged, obtain a fresh copy from an approved source.

Start the Windows Installer

Open File Explorer and navigate to the browser download location or the folder you selected.
Double-click the VMware installer executable.
If your organization requires explicit elevation, right-click the file and select Run as administrator. Use this option only when authorized.
When Windows displays a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, confirm that the publisher is trusted and select the option to allow the installer to make changes.

UAC is a Windows security confirmation shown when software requests system-level changes. If the publisher is unexpected or the file did not come from an approved source, cancel the prompt and verify the installer.

Work Through the Installation Wizard

The wording of buttons can vary slightly between releases, but the normal sequence is similar.

1. Welcome Screen

Read the introductory message and select Next to begin.

2. License Agreement

Review the end-user license agreement (EULA). The EULA contains the terms governing use of the software. Select the option indicating that you accept the terms, then select Next or the equivalent continue control. The wizard cannot proceed without acceptance.

3. Installation Location

The installation directory is the folder containing VMware's application program files. The default location is normally appropriate for a personal computer because it is expected by Windows and the installer.

Choose another location only when you have a specific storage or organizational requirement. The destination must have enough free space and allow the installer to write files. Do not confuse the application directory with the folder containing your virtual machines; VM files can be stored separately.

4. Product Update Checks

The wizard may ask whether the application should check for product updates when it starts. Enable this if you want VMware to check automatically. Choose differently if your organization manages updates centrally or requires manual testing and deployment.

5. Anonymous Usage or Diagnostic Data

You may be asked whether to send anonymous usage data. This is optional diagnostic or telemetry information that may be sent to the vendor. Select your preference, and follow organizational privacy policy on a managed device.

6. Shortcut Locations

Select the shortcut locations you want, such as the Windows desktop and Start menu. Shortcuts affect how you launch the application; they do not affect VM storage.

7. Review and Install

Review the selected options. If they are correct, select Install, Continue, or the equivalent final installation control. The installer may copy program files, install services and drivers, and configure virtual networking components.

8. Completion

Wait while setup finishes. Do not close the wizard or shut down Windows while files and drivers are being installed. When the completion screen appears, select Finish. If the wizard requests a restart, save your work and restart Windows before using VMware.

Wizard screen or choice	What it controls	Typical recommendation	When to choose differently
License agreement	Acceptance of the software's legal terms.	Read and accept the agreement if its terms are suitable.	Cancel if you are not authorized to accept the terms.
Installation location	Where VMware application files are stored.	Keep the default location.	Use another writable drive or folder when required by storage policy.
Check for product updates at startup	Whether VMware checks for updates when it launches.	Enable it on unmanaged personal systems if desired.	Disable it when IT controls updates or network access is restricted.
Anonymous usage or diagnostic data	Whether optional telemetry is sent to the vendor.	Choose according to your privacy preference.	Follow company policy or disable it when telemetry is not permitted.
Desktop and Start menu shortcuts	Where launch shortcuts are created.	Select the locations you use.	Clear unwanted shortcuts on shared or managed desktops.
Finish and restart prompt	Completes setup and, when required, restarts Windows for drivers or services.	Finish the wizard and restart when prompted.	Postpone only when you can safely complete the restart before using VMware.

Networking and Security During Setup

VMware can install virtual network adapters and related services. A virtual network adapter is a software network interface used to provide networking modes for guest systems. Installing or configuring these components can briefly interrupt the host computer's network connection.

Endpoint security, application-control software, corporate device policy, or restricted administrator permissions may block VMware driver installation. A managed computer may require IT approval before virtualization software or virtual network adapters can be installed. Do not bypass those controls; use the organization's deployment or approval process.

Restart and Validate the Installation

Restart Windows if the installer requests it, or if setup indicates that drivers or services are not active until a restart.
After Windows starts, open VMware Player from the Start menu or from the shortcut locations you selected.
Confirm that the main window opens without an installer or driver error.
Identify the main window's actions for creating a new virtual machine, opening an existing virtual machine, or opening a virtual appliance.
When you need to verify the release, open the application's Help or About information and record the displayed product version.

A successful application launch confirms that the desktop program is installed. It does not confirm that every planned guest operating system will run; guest requirements, hardware virtualization, memory, storage, and Windows hypervisor settings may still need attention.

Clean Upgrade or Reinstallation Guidance

An in-place upgrade is normally appropriate when the existing VMware installation is functioning and the selected release supports upgrading it. Removing an older or conflicting version first may be preferable when the previous installation is damaged, partially removed, incompatible, or causing repair and upgrade errors.

Existing VM files are separate from the VMware application installation. During cleanup, do not delete folders containing virtual disks, configuration files, snapshots, or other VM data unless you deliberately intend to remove those VMs. Identify the VM storage folder and back up important files before a major upgrade, uninstall, or repair.

Practical Installation Examples

Personal Windows Computer

Download the trusted Windows installer and locate it in Downloads.
Run it and approve the trusted UAC prompt.
Accept the EULA and keep the default installation folder.
Choose preferences for update checks, anonymous usage reporting, and shortcuts.
Start installation, wait for completion, restart if requested, and open VMware Player.

Managed Work Computer

Check organizational policy and obtain approval before downloading or installing.
Use an administrator account or the IT-provided deployment method.
Choose update and telemetry settings according to company policy.
Confirm that endpoint security permits VMware drivers, services, and virtual network adapters.
Contact IT if installation is blocked instead of attempting to bypass device controls.

Retaining Existing Virtual Machines

Identify the current VM storage folder before upgrading or reinstalling.
Back up important VM files.
Upgrade or reinstall the application without deleting the VM directory.
After validation, use the main window's open-existing-VM option.

Troubleshooting

The Installer Does Not Start or Windows Blocks It

Confirm that the installer came from an approved source and that its publisher is trusted.
Download a fresh copy if the file appears incomplete or damaged.
Run it with administrator approval when you are authorized to do so.
On a managed device, contact IT rather than bypassing security controls.

Permissions or Destination-Folder Error

Use an administrator account or obtain authorized administrator credentials.
Use the default program location unless a policy specifies another writable location.
Ask the device administrator to deploy or approve the application if application control blocks setup.

Network Access Briefly Drops

Allow setup to finish because VMware may be installing virtual network adapters.
Restart Windows if requested.
After restart, check the Windows network adapter list and test host connectivity.
Use VMware networking repair or reinstall procedures only if connectivity does not return.

A VM Will Not Start Because Virtualization Is Unavailable

Verify that hardware virtualization is available and enabled in UEFI or BIOS.
Review Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, and related security features when VMware reports a hypervisor conflict.
Check compatibility with the installed VMware release and the guest workload.
Restart after firmware or Windows feature changes, then try the VM again.

The Application Needs a Restart

Save open work and restart Windows.
Launch VMware Player again after the restart.
Confirm that the application opens and that no driver or service error remains.

An Older Installation Causes Upgrade Problems

Use Windows installed-app management to repair or remove the problematic version when appropriate.
Restart before installing the intended release.
Preserve VM folders because they are separate from the program installation.