How to download VMWare Workstation Pro for free. Workstation Pro can be used for free by home users to create virtual machines and replaces the previous free offering VMware Player. Since Broadcom took over VMware they have retired Workstation Player, which isn’t available for download anymore.
Installing Workstation Pro is very easy to do. However actually downloading it is far more challenging since the Broadcom website isn’t helpful.
How to Download Workstation Pro
Before you can download Workstation Pro, you’ll need to create a free account with Broadcom (the new owners of VMware). You can click the link below to go directly to there website.
https://www.vmware.com/products/desktop-hypervisor/workstation-and-fusion
- When you arrive at the VMware website, click the Download Fusion Or Workstation button.
- You’ll be asked to login. If you don’t already have an account with Broadcom you’ll need to create one before downloading VMware. To create a Broadcom account, click the Login button in the top right corner of the window, then click the Register button.
- Type in your email address and solve the puzzle. Click Next.
- Broadcom will send a verification message to your email address. Copy the code number into the verification boxes and click the Verify and Continue button.
Register with Broadcom to Download VMware
The Broadcom user registration page will open. You’ll need to fill in the required fields:
- First name
- Last name
- Country
- Password.
Then scroll down the page a little and accept the Terms of Use and click the Create Account button.
Once your account has successfully been registered with Broadcom, scroll down the page and click the I’ll Do It Later button.
Finally, click the Log In button in the top right hand corner of the screen and enter in your new account details.
Download Workstation Pro
To download VMware Workstation Pro:
- Click on My Dashboard in the left hand navigation panel.
- Type “workstation pro” into the search box and click on VMware Workstation Pro.
- Click the link to the download page.
- Then click the Workstation Pro link.
- Click “VMware Workstation Pro for Personal Use (Windows)“. The personal use version is the free version.
- On the drop down menu, click the release version that you require. Generally that’s going to be the most recent version.
- Click the checkbox to “Agree to the Terms and Conditions”, and then click the Download icon (cloud).
Additional Verification is Required
There is yet another form to fill in before you can actually download Workstation Pro. After clicking the Download icon, you’ll see this message appear.
Prior to downloading this file, additional verification is required. Proceed?
- Click the Yes button.
- Fill in the form with your address. Scroll down the page and click the Submit button.
- Finally you can really download Workstation Pro.
How to Install VMware Workstation Pro
Once you’ve downloaded Workstation Pro, installing it is fairly straightforward:
- Launch the installation program either from within your browser or from where you downloaded it to.
- The Workstation Pro setup wizard will start. Installing is very easy, just keep clicking Next and proceed through each screen until it’s installed.
- After the setup is complete, launch Workstation Pro and you’ll need to select which type of licence you’ll be using. To use it for free, select “Use VMware Workstation Pro for Personal use”.
- And there you go, Workstation Pro successfully installed and ready for use.
Summary
Workstation Pro is really very, very good. Once you’ve got it installed on to your computer you can create virtual machines that just work. The software does all the heavy lifting for you.
But oh my, actually downloading it is a different story all together. The Broadcom website really does leave something to be desired. There are redirects, page reloads and duplication. Just when you feel you’re getting somewhere, there’s yet another form to fill.
I can only assume that it’s mainly due to them taking over the old VMware website and that it’ll be sorted out in time. To say it’s a challenge to download Workstation Pro is an understatement.
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