VMware Workstation Player: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Virtualization software package}} |
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{{Infobox software |
{{Infobox software |
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| name |
| name = VMware Workstation Player |
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| logo |
| logo = VMware Workstation Player Icon.png |
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| logo caption |
| logo caption = Current icon of VMware Workstation Player used since Version 15.0 in 2018 |
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| logo size = 100px |
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| screenshot = Ubuntu 14.04 on VMware Player.png |
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| screenshot = |
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| caption = VMware Player running [[Ubuntu version history#1404|Ubuntu 14.04 beta]] on [[Ubuntu version history#1210|Ubuntu 12.10]] |
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| caption = VMware Workstation Player 17.5 running [[Ubuntu MATE]] 23.10 |
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| developer |
| developer = [[VMware]] |
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⚫ | |||
| released = December 12, 2005 |
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⚫ | |||
| discontinued = yes |
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| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|P348|P548=Q2804309}} |
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| programming language = [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]] |
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| platform = [[x86-64]] only |
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| title = FAQs |
| title = FAQs |
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| url = http://www.vmware.com/products/player/faqs.html |
| url = http://www.vmware.com/products/player/faqs.html |
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| publisher = VMware |
| publisher = VMware |
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| access-date = 9 September 2015}}</ref> |
| access-date = 9 September 2015}}</ref> |
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| website |
| website = {{URL|https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''VMware Workstation Player''', formerly '''VMware Player''', is a virtualization software package for [[x64]] computers running [[Microsoft Windows]] or [[Linux]], supplied free of charge by [[VMware|VMware, Inc.]] |
'''VMware Workstation Player''', formerly '''VMware Player''', is a discontinued virtualization software package for [[x64]] computers running [[Microsoft Windows]] or [[Linux]], supplied free of charge by [[VMware|VMware, Inc.]]<ref name="player">{{cite web |url=http://www.vmware.com/products/player|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701044450/http://www.vmware.com/products/player|archive-date=2011-07-01|title=VMware Player – The Easiest Way to Run a Virtual Machine|date=1 July 2011}} Archived version; the page as of 2016 is about VMware Workstation Player</ref> VMware Player could run existing [[virtual appliance]]s and create its own [[virtual machine]]s (which require that an operating system be installed to be functional). It used the same virtualization core as [[VMware Workstation]], a similar program with more features, which became available free of charge for personal, but not commercial, use in 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Michael |date=13 May 2024 |title=VMware Workstation Pro: Now Available Free for Personal Use |url=https://blogs.vmware.com/workstation/2024/05/vmware-workstation-pro-now-available-free-for-personal-use.html |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Blog}}</ref> VMware Player was available for personal non-commercial use,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/products/player/faqs.html|title=VMware Workstation Player FAQs: Create and run virtual machines|website=VMWare}}</ref> or for distribution or other use by written agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/player40.html |title=VMware Player 4.0 EULA |publisher=VMware |access-date=27 April 2012}}</ref> VMware, Inc. did not formally support Player, but there was an active community website for discussing and resolving issues,<ref name=community/> and a [[knowledge base]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/microsite.do |title=Knowledge Base |website=Kb.vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
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The free VMware Player was distinct from VMware Workstation until Player v7, Workstation v11. In 2015 the two packages were combined as VMware Workstation 12, with a free for non-commercial use Player version which, on purchase of a license code, either became the higher-specification VMware Workstation Pro<ref>{{cite web|url=https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/12_0 |title=free |website=My.vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/products/workstation |title=VMware Workstation: Multiple Operating Systems Linux, Windows 8 & More |website=Vmware.com |date=2015-07-29 |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
The free VMware Player was distinct from VMware Workstation until Player v7, Workstation v11. In 2015 the two packages were combined as VMware Workstation 12, with a free for non-commercial use restricted Player version which, on purchase of a license code, either became the higher-specification VMware Workstation Pro,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_player/12_0 |title=free |website=My.vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/products/workstation |title=VMware Workstation: Multiple Operating Systems Linux, Windows 8 & More |website=Vmware.com |date=2015-07-29 |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> or allowed commercial use of Player. |
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VMware Workstation Player was discontinued in May 2024 when VMware Workstation Pro became free for personal use. Commercial users of Player could continue to use it until the end of the active support term.<ref name=":0" /> |
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==Features== |
==Features== |
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VMware claimed in 2011 that the Player offered better graphics, faster performance, and tighter integration for running [[Windows XP]] under Windows Vista or Windows 7 than Microsoft's [[Windows XP Mode]] running on [[Windows Virtual PC]], which is free of charge for all purposes.<ref name="player" /> |
VMware claimed in 2011 that the Player offered better graphics, faster performance, and tighter integration for running [[Windows XP]] under Windows Vista or Windows 7 than Microsoft's [[Windows XP Mode]] running on [[Windows Virtual PC]], which is free of charge for all purposes.<ref name="player" /> |
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Versions earlier than 3 of VMware Player were unable to create virtual machines (VMs), which had to be created by an application with the capability, or created manually by statements stored in a text file with extension ".vmx"; later versions can create VMs. The features of Workstation not available in Player are "developer-centric features such as Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, and Virtual Rights Management features for end-point security",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vmware.com/products/player/faqs.html |title=VMware Player – Frequently Asked Questions}}</ref> and support by VMware. Player allows a complete virtual machine to be copied at any time by copying a [[directory (file systems)|directory]]; while not a fully featured snapshot facility, this allows a copy of a machine in a particular state to be stored, and reverted to later if desired. By default changes (including proxy settings, passwords, bookmarks, installed software and malware) made in a VM |
Versions earlier than 3 of VMware Player were unable to create virtual machines (VMs), which had to be created by an application with the capability, or created manually by statements stored in a text file with extension ".vmx"; later versions can create VMs. The features of Workstation not available in Player are "developer-centric features such as Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, and Virtual Rights Management features for end-point security",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vmware.com/products/player/faqs.html |title=VMware Player – Frequently Asked Questions}}</ref> and support by VMware. Player allows a complete virtual machine to be copied at any time by copying a [[directory (file systems)|directory]]; while not a fully featured snapshot facility, this allows a copy of a machine in a particular state to be stored, and reverted to later if desired. By default, changes (including proxy settings, passwords, bookmarks, installed software and malware) made in a VM were saved when it was shut down, but the .vmx configuration file could easily be edited to autorevert on shutdown, so that all changes are discarded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://browser.shell.tor.hu/ |title=Browser Appliance |website=Browser.shell.tor.hu |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
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VMware Player |
VMware Player was also supplied with the VMware Workstation distribution, for use in installations where not all client users are licensed to use the full VMware Workstation. In an environment where some machines without VMware Workstation licences run VMware Player, a virtual machine created by Workstation could be distributed to computers running Player without paying for additional Workstation licenses if not used commercially.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/products/player/ |title=Virtual Machines & Multiple Operating Systems: VMware Workstation Player |website=Vmware.com |date=2016-08-12 |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
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==Version history== |
==Version history== |
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* Support for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 |
* Support for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 |
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* Support for up to 16 vCPUs (up from 4) |
* Support for up to 16 vCPUs (up from 4) |
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* Support for up to 8 |
* Support for up to 8 TB disks (up from 2 TB) |
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* USB Improvements (implemented USB 3 Streams) |
* USB Improvements (implemented USB 3 Streams) |
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* SSD Pass-through (optimized when running off SSD) |
* SSD Pass-through (optimized when running off SSD) |
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* Support for SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 |
* Support for SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 |
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* VMware Hardware Version 11 |
* VMware Hardware Version 11 |
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* Allocate up to |
* Allocate up to 2 GB video memory to a virtual machine |
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|style="white-space:nowrap;" | 12.0 |
|style="white-space:nowrap;" | 12.0 |
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* Included security updates |
* Included security updates |
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* Added more performance improvements |
* Added more performance improvements |
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| 14.0 |
| 14.0 |
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* Network Latency Simulation |
* Network Latency Simulation |
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* Native OVF Support |
* Native OVF Support |
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| 14.1.2 |
| 14.1.2 |
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* Windows 10 Spring Creators Update |
* Windows 10 Spring Creators Update |
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* Ubuntu 18.04 |
* Ubuntu 18.04 |
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| 15.0 |
| 15.0 |
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* VCSA 6.7 Support |
* VCSA 6.7 Support |
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* USB Auto connect to virtual machine |
* USB Auto connect to virtual machine |
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| 15.0.1 |
| 15.0.1 |
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* Fedora 29 |
* Fedora 29 |
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* RHEL 7.6 |
* RHEL 7.6 |
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| 15.0.2 |
| 15.0.2 |
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* Windows 10 October Update |
* Windows 10 October Update |
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* Windows Server 2019 |
* Windows Server 2019 |
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| style="white-space:nowrap;" | 15.1 |
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | 15.1 |
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* Fedora 30 |
* Fedora 30 |
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* ESXi 6.7 Update 2 |
* ESXi 6.7 Update 2 |
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| style="white-space:nowrap;" | 15.5.0 |
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | 15.5.0 |
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** FreeBSD 12.0 |
** FreeBSD 12.0 |
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** PhotonOS 3.0 |
** PhotonOS 3.0 |
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* Updated so virtual networks can now be configured with MTU size of up to 9000 bytes. |
* Updated so virtual networks can now be configured with MTU size of up to 9000 bytes. |
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* Updated to make network settings save after upgrades and adds the ability to import and export network configurations |
* Updated to make network settings save after upgrades and adds the ability to import and export network configurations |
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|15.5.1 |
|15.5.1 |
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|12 Nov 2019<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.1 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs |
|12 Nov 2019<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.1 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Workstation-Player/15.5/rn/VMware-Workstation-1551-Player-Release-Notes.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=docs.vmware.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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|Resolved issues: |
|Resolved issues: |
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|15.5.5 |
|15.5.5 |
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|28 May 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.5 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs |
|28 May 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.5 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Workstation-Player/15.5/rn/VMware-Workstation-1555-Player-Release-Notes.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=docs.vmware.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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|Windows 10 host VBS support: |
|Windows 10 host VBS support: |
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* CPU: Intel Sandy Bridge or a newer CPU; AMD Bulldozer or a newer CPU |
* CPU: Intel Sandy Bridge or a newer CPU; AMD Bulldozer or a newer CPU |
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* Supported Host OS: Windows 10 20H1 build 19041.264 or newer |
* Supported Host OS: Windows 10 20H1 build 19041.264 or newer |
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* Windows 10 20H1 |
* Windows 10 20H1 |
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* Ubuntu 20.04 |
* Ubuntu 20.04 |
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* Fedora 32 |
* Fedora 32 |
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* Windows 10 20H1 |
* Windows 10 20H1 |
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* Ubuntu 20.04 |
* Ubuntu 20.04 |
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* The Windows Operating System stops working without any message when trying to connect USB devices to the VM |
* The Windows Operating System stops working without any message when trying to connect USB devices to the VM |
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* The Virtual Network name does not support multi-byte characters |
* The Virtual Network name does not support multi-byte characters |
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|15.5.6 |
|15.5.6 |
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|9 Jun 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.6 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs |
|9 Jun 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 15.5.6 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Workstation-Player/15.5/rn/VMware-Workstation-1556-Player-Release-Notes.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=docs.vmware.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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|Resolved issues: |
|Resolved issues: |
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* The quality of sound playback and recording through the emulated ES1371 sound device was degraded when compared to Workstation 15.5.2 Player and earlier |
* The quality of sound playback and recording through the emulated ES1371 sound device was degraded when compared to Workstation 15.5.2 Player and earlier |
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* The Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys and indicators behaved erratically in a Linux VM in Workstation Player 15.5.5 |
* The Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys and indicators behaved erratically in a Linux VM in Workstation Player 15.5.5 |
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|15.5.7 |
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|Resolved issues: |
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* Use-after-free vulnerability in the XHCI USB controller |
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* Out-of-bounds read vulnerability due to a time-of-check time-of-use issue in ACPI device |
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|16.0 |
|16.0 |
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|14 Sep 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 16 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs |
|14 Sep 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=visaac|title=VMware Workstation 16 Player Release Notes|url=https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Workstation-Player/16/rn/VMware-Workstation-16-Player-Release-Notes.html|access-date=2020-09-18|website=docs.vmware.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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|'''Removed features:''' |
|'''Removed features:''' |
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* Removal of restricted virtual machines |
* Removal of restricted virtual machines |
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* '''Support for Windows 7 as a host OS'''; can only install VMWare Player 16 series on Windows 8 or higher (64-bit only) |
* '''Support for Windows 7 as a host OS'''; can only install VMWare Player 16 series on Windows 8 or higher (64-bit only) |
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'''New features''' |
'''New features''' |
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Container and Kubernetes Support (requires 64-bit Windows 10 Version 1809 or higher) |
Container and Kubernetes Support (requires 64-bit Windows 10 Version 1809 or higher) |
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* Build/run/pull/push container images using the vctl CLI. |
* Build/run/pull/push container images using the vctl CLI. |
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* Supports KIND kubernetes clusters running on top of Workstation Player. |
* Supports KIND kubernetes clusters running on top of Workstation Player. |
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* For Windows hosts, requires a native GPU that supports DirectX 11.0 is required. |
* For Windows hosts, requires a native GPU that supports DirectX 11.0 is required. |
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* For Linux hosts, requires latest NVIDIA proprietary drivers are required |
* For Linux hosts, requires latest NVIDIA proprietary drivers are required |
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* GNU/Linux with NVIDIA drivers that support OpenGL 4.5 and above |
* GNU/Linux with NVIDIA drivers that support OpenGL 4.5 and above |
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USB 3.1 Controller Support: |
USB 3.1 Controller Support: |
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* The virtual machines virtual XHCI controller is changed from USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 to support 10 |
* The virtual machines virtual XHCI controller is changed from USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 to support 10 Gbit/s. |
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Larger VMs: |
Larger VMs: |
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* 32 virtual CPUs (host and guest OS must both support this number) |
* 32 virtual CPUs (host and guest OS must both support this number) |
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* |
* 8 GB virtual graphics memory |
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Dark Mode: |
Dark Mode: |
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* Connect to vSphere 7.0. |
* Connect to vSphere 7.0. |
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* Upload a local virtual machine to vSphere 7.0. |
* Upload a local virtual machine to vSphere 7.0. |
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* Download a remote virtual machine running on vSphere 7.0 to the local desktop. |
* Download a remote virtual machine running on vSphere 7.0 to the local desktop. |
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* Improved file transfer speeds (Drag and Drop, Copy and Paste) |
* Improved file transfer speeds (Drag and Drop, Copy and Paste) |
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* Improved virtual machine shutdown time |
* Improved virtual machine shutdown time |
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* Improved virtual NVMe storage performance. |
* Improved virtual NVMe storage performance. |
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* Accessibility improvements have been added so Workstation Player is compliant with WCAG 2.1 criteria |
* Accessibility improvements have been added so Workstation Player is compliant with WCAG 2.1 criteria |
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'''Resolved issues:''' |
'''Resolved issues:''' |
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* After priority.ungrabbed = "low" is set in the virtual machine configuration file, the priority of vmware-vmx process shows as Normal, when checked on the Host Task manager |
* After priority.ungrabbed = "low" is set in the virtual machine configuration file, the priority of vmware-vmx process shows as Normal, when checked on the Host Task manager |
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* A Windows XP x64 virtual machine freezes during boot, when Workstation is running on Win10 host with Hyper-V Enabled |
* A Windows XP x64 virtual machine freezes during boot, when Workstation is running on Win10 host with Hyper-V Enabled |
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'''Known issues:''' |
'''Known issues:''' |
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* Low performance or failures might occur when using vctl CLI on machines with HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as the system disk |
* Low performance or failures might occur when using vctl CLI on machines with HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as the system disk |
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* After the Easy Install operation is complete, VMware Tools may fail to install as some guest operating systems, such as Windows 7, Server 2008 R2 and Server 2012 R2, need some Windows Updates to first be installed (KB4474419 and KB4490628 for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2; KB2919355 and installation of the .NET Framework 3.5 for Server 2012 R2) |
* After the Easy Install operation is complete, VMware Tools may fail to install as some guest operating systems, such as Windows 7, Server 2008 R2 and Server 2012 R2, need some Windows Updates to first be installed (KB4474419 and KB4490628 for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2; KB2919355 and installation of the .NET Framework 3.5 for Server 2012 R2) |
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|style="white-space:nowrap;" | 16.1.0–17.5.1 |
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|style="white-space: nowrap;" | |
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* Various enhancements<ref name=lastversions>{{cite web | title=VMware Workstation Pro| publisher=Broadcom|website=Support|url=https://support.broadcom.com/c/portal/login?redirect=%2Fgroup%2Fecx%2Fproductdownloads%3Fsubfamily%3DVMware%2BWorkstation%2BPro&refererPlid=36&p_l_id=33047 |url-access=registration| access-date=21 October 2024}}</ref> |
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|style="white-space:nowrap;" |17.5.2 |
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|style="white-space: nowrap;" | |
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* Last version<ref name=lastversions/> |
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<br /> |
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==Resources== |
==Resources== |
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[[File:android on vmware player jobin raju george1.png|thumb|Screenshot showing Android 2.3.7 running on VMware Player 6.0]] |
[[File:android on vmware player jobin raju george1.png|thumb|Screenshot showing Android 2.3.7 running on VMware Player 6.0]] |
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Many ready-made virtual machines (VMs) which run on VMware Player, Workstation, and other virtualization software are available<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/ |title=Virtual Appliances | Solution Exchange |website=Vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vmplanet.net/ |title=VM Planet Homepage |website=Vmplanet.net |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bagside.com/bagvapp/index.html |title= |
Many ready-made virtual machines (VMs) which run on VMware Player, Workstation, and other virtualization software are available<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/ |title=Virtual Appliances | Solution Exchange |website=Vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vmplanet.net/ |title=VM Planet Homepage |website=Vmplanet.net |access-date=2016-08-27 |archive-date=2016-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828034154/http://vmplanet.net/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bagside.com/bagvapp/index.html |title=Bagvapp - Virtual Appliances - webdesign - Free Graphics - Wallpaper |access-date=2009-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204070719/http://bagside.com/bagvapp/index.html |archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thoughtpolice.co.uk/ |title=Welcome to Thoughtpolice VMware images! |access-date=2008-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828135835/http://thoughtpolice.co.uk/ |archive-date=2008-08-28 }}</ref> for specific purposes, either for purchase or free of charge. For example, a free [[Linux]]-based “browser appliance” with the [[Firefox]] browser installed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://solutionexchange.vmware.com/store/products/browser-appliance |title=Virtual Appliances | Solution Exchange |website=Solutionexchange.vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> was available that can be used for safe Web browsing; if infected or damaged, it could be discarded and replaced by a clean copy. VMs could be configured to reset after each use without the need to recreate from the original file. Suppliers of [[operating system]]s with commercial licences usually required installations to be licensed; VMs with such operating systems installed could not be distributed without restriction. Ready-to-use VMs with Microsoft or [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] operating systems installed, in particular, were not distributed, except for evaluation versions. |
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VMware Player |
VMware Player supported free-of-charge VMware Tools, which added significant functionality. Versions of Player for different platforms had their own Tools, not necessarily compatible with other versions. Sometimes Tools were updated belatedly; for example, Player 4.0.2 was released on 24 January 2012, but the corresponding version of Tools was not available for some time after that, restricting functionality of updated Player installations.<ref name=community>{{cite web|url=http://communities.vmware.com/thread/345083 |title=VMware Player 4.0.2 Tools - Bad Support | VMware Communities |website=Communities.vmware.com |date=February 2012 |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
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Virtual machines created by one VMware software product |
Virtual machines created by one VMware software product could be used by any other. It was often possible to use VMs created by one manufacturer's virtual machine software with software from another manufacturer, either directly or via a conversion procedure. VMs that ran on [[Microsoft Virtual Server]] and [[Virtual PC]] could be converted for use by VMware software by the [[VMware vCenter Converter]]. This software could also create a virtual machine from a physical PC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/converter_pubs.html |title=VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Documentation |website=Vmware.com |access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{Official website| |
* {{Official website}}{{dead link|date=December 2024}} |
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* [https://github.com/vmware/open-vm-tools/ Open Virtual Machine Tools] |
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* [https://www.htofe.com/file-extension/vmx File Extension VMX] |
* [https://www.htofe.com/file-extension/vmx File Extension VMX] |
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* [https://www.v3.co.uk/vnunet/downloads/2158957/vmware-player/ V3.co.uk Review of VMware Player 3.1.2] |
* [https://www.v3.co.uk/vnunet/downloads/2158957/vmware-player/ V3.co.uk Review of VMware Player 3.1.2]{{dead link|date=December 2024}} |
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{{Virtualization software}} |
{{Virtualization software}} |
Latest revision as of 21:00, 5 December 2024
Developer(s) | VMware |
---|---|
Initial release | December 12, 2005 |
Final release | 17.5.2[1]
/ 14 May 2024 |
Written in | C, C++ |
Operating system | Windows, Linux |
Platform | x86-64 only |
Type | Hypervisor |
License | Freemium[2] |
Website | www |
VMware Workstation Player, formerly VMware Player, is a discontinued virtualization software package for x64 computers running Microsoft Windows or Linux, supplied free of charge by VMware, Inc.[3] VMware Player could run existing virtual appliances and create its own virtual machines (which require that an operating system be installed to be functional). It used the same virtualization core as VMware Workstation, a similar program with more features, which became available free of charge for personal, but not commercial, use in 2024.[4] VMware Player was available for personal non-commercial use,[5] or for distribution or other use by written agreement.[6] VMware, Inc. did not formally support Player, but there was an active community website for discussing and resolving issues,[7] and a knowledge base.[8]
The free VMware Player was distinct from VMware Workstation until Player v7, Workstation v11. In 2015 the two packages were combined as VMware Workstation 12, with a free for non-commercial use restricted Player version which, on purchase of a license code, either became the higher-specification VMware Workstation Pro,[9][10] or allowed commercial use of Player.
VMware Workstation Player was discontinued in May 2024 when VMware Workstation Pro became free for personal use. Commercial users of Player could continue to use it until the end of the active support term.[4]
Features
[edit]VMware claimed in 2011 that the Player offered better graphics, faster performance, and tighter integration for running Windows XP under Windows Vista or Windows 7 than Microsoft's Windows XP Mode running on Windows Virtual PC, which is free of charge for all purposes.[3]
Versions earlier than 3 of VMware Player were unable to create virtual machines (VMs), which had to be created by an application with the capability, or created manually by statements stored in a text file with extension ".vmx"; later versions can create VMs. The features of Workstation not available in Player are "developer-centric features such as Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, and Virtual Rights Management features for end-point security",[11] and support by VMware. Player allows a complete virtual machine to be copied at any time by copying a directory; while not a fully featured snapshot facility, this allows a copy of a machine in a particular state to be stored, and reverted to later if desired. By default, changes (including proxy settings, passwords, bookmarks, installed software and malware) made in a VM were saved when it was shut down, but the .vmx configuration file could easily be edited to autorevert on shutdown, so that all changes are discarded.[12]
VMware Player was also supplied with the VMware Workstation distribution, for use in installations where not all client users are licensed to use the full VMware Workstation. In an environment where some machines without VMware Workstation licences run VMware Player, a virtual machine created by Workstation could be distributed to computers running Player without paying for additional Workstation licenses if not used commercially.[13]
Version history
[edit]Major Version | Release Date | Significant Changes |
---|---|---|
1.0 | 6 June 2008 | First release, with x86 support |
2.0 | 28 August 2008 | |
2.5 | 6 October 2008 | |
3.0 | 27 October 2009[14] |
|
3.1 | 25 May 2010 | |
4.0 | 4 October 2011[15] |
|
5.0 | 22 August 2012 |
|
6.0 | 3 September 2013[16] |
|
7.0 | 1 December 2014[17] |
|
12.0 | 24 August 2015[19] |
|
12.1 | 8 December 2015 | Maintenance release that resolves some known issues |
12.5 | 13 September 2016[20] |
|
14.0 | 26 September 2017[21] |
|
14.1.2 | 21 May 2018[22] | Host and guest operating system support:
|
15.0 | 24 September 2018[23] |
|
15.0.1 | 9 November 2018[24] | Host and guest operating system support:
|
15.0.2 | 22 November 2018[25] | Host and guest operating system support:
|
15.1 | 14 May 2019[26] | Guest operating system support:
|
15.5.0 | 19 Sep 2019[27] |
|
15.5.1 | 12 Nov 2019[28] | Resolved issues:
|
15.5.5 | 28 May 2020[29] | Windows 10 host VBS support:
The followings are minimum requirement to run VMware Workstation on a Hyper-V enabled host:
Support for new Guest Operating Systems:
Support for new Host Operating Systems:
Resolved issues:
Known issues:
|
15.5.6 | 9 Jun 2020[30] | Resolved issues:
|
15.5.7 | 19 Nov 2020[31] | Resolved issues:
|
16.0 | 14 Sep 2020[32] | Removed features:
New features Container and Kubernetes Support (requires 64-bit Windows 10 Version 1809 or higher)
New Guest Operating Systems supported:
Support for DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 in the Guest:
Vulkan Render Support for Linux Workstation Player
Sandboxed Graphics:
USB 3.1 Controller Support:
Larger VMs:
Dark Mode:
vSphere 7.0 Support:
Performance Improvements:
Improved Accessibility Support
Resolved issues:
Known issues:
|
16.1.0–17.5.1 |
| |
17.5.2 |
|
Resources
[edit]Many ready-made virtual machines (VMs) which run on VMware Player, Workstation, and other virtualization software are available[34][35][36][37] for specific purposes, either for purchase or free of charge. For example, a free Linux-based “browser appliance” with the Firefox browser installed[38] was available that can be used for safe Web browsing; if infected or damaged, it could be discarded and replaced by a clean copy. VMs could be configured to reset after each use without the need to recreate from the original file. Suppliers of operating systems with commercial licences usually required installations to be licensed; VMs with such operating systems installed could not be distributed without restriction. Ready-to-use VMs with Microsoft or Apple operating systems installed, in particular, were not distributed, except for evaluation versions.
VMware Player supported free-of-charge VMware Tools, which added significant functionality. Versions of Player for different platforms had their own Tools, not necessarily compatible with other versions. Sometimes Tools were updated belatedly; for example, Player 4.0.2 was released on 24 January 2012, but the corresponding version of Tools was not available for some time after that, restricting functionality of updated Player installations.[7]
Virtual machines created by one VMware software product could be used by any other. It was often possible to use VMs created by one manufacturer's virtual machine software with software from another manufacturer, either directly or via a conversion procedure. VMs that ran on Microsoft Virtual Server and Virtual PC could be converted for use by VMware software by the VMware vCenter Converter. This software could also create a virtual machine from a physical PC.[39]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "VMware Workstation 17.5.2 Player Release Notes". 14 May 2024.
- ^ "FAQs". VMware Player home page. VMware. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ a b "VMware Player – The Easiest Way to Run a Virtual Machine". 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Archived version; the page as of 2016 is about VMware Workstation Player
- ^ a b Roy, Michael (13 May 2024). "VMware Workstation Pro: Now Available Free for Personal Use". VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Blog. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "VMware Workstation Player FAQs: Create and run virtual machines". VMWare.
- ^ "VMware Player 4.0 EULA". VMware. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ a b "VMware Player 4.0.2 Tools - Bad Support | VMware Communities". Communities.vmware.com. February 2012. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "Knowledge Base". Kb.vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "free". My.vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Workstation: Multiple Operating Systems Linux, Windows 8 & More". Vmware.com. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Player – Frequently Asked Questions".
- ^ "Browser Appliance". Browser.shell.tor.hu. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "Virtual Machines & Multiple Operating Systems: VMware Workstation Player". Vmware.com. 2016-08-12. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ a b "VMware Player 3.0 Release Notes". Vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ a b "VMware Player 4 Release Notes". Vmware.com. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Player 6 Release Notes". Vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Player 7 Release Notes". Vmware.com. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "free". My.vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Workstation 12 Player Release Notes". Pubs.vmware.com. 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware Workstation 12.5 Player Release Notes". Pubs.vmware.com. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
- ^ liz. "VMware Workstation 14 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ liz. "VMware Workstation 14.1.2 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ liz. "VMware Workstation 15 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ djohn. "VMware Workstation 15.0.1 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ djohn. "VMware Workstation 15.0.2 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
- ^ "VMware Workstation 15.1 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com.
- ^ "VMware Workstation 15.5.0 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com.
- ^ visaac. "VMware Workstation 15.5.1 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ visaac. "VMware Workstation 15.5.5 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ visaac. "VMware Workstation 15.5.6 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ visaac. "VMware Workstation 15.5.7 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ visaac. "VMware Workstation 16 Player Release Notes". docs.vmware.com. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
- ^ a b "VMware Workstation Pro". Support. Broadcom. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Virtual Appliances | Solution Exchange". Vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VM Planet Homepage". Vmplanet.net. Archived from the original on 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "Bagvapp - Virtual Appliances - webdesign - Free Graphics - Wallpaper". Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ^ "Welcome to Thoughtpolice VMware images!". Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
- ^ "Virtual Appliances | Solution Exchange". Solutionexchange.vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
- ^ "VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Documentation". Vmware.com. Retrieved 2016-08-27.