VMWare workstation player download [SOLVED]
QUESTION:
I need to download VMware Workstation Player, but the servers are down. Does anyone know where else I can get VMware Workstation Player?
ANSWER:
Yep, you’re not alone—ever since Broadcom took over VMware, things have been… let’s say, “interesting.” 😬 If you’re struggling to download VMware Workstation Player, here’s where you can still grab it:
📌 Official VMware Download Mirrors:
VMware doesn’t make it easy to find the exact download files anymore, but you can click through these directories to drill down to the latest versions:
🔹 VMware Workstation Pro:
➡️ softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/
🔹 VMware Workstation Player (free version):
➡️ softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/player/
🔹 VMware Fusion (for Mac users):
➡️ softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/fusion/
🔹 VMware Tools (buried inside Workstation directories):
👉 Linux: ➡️ softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/17.5.2/23775571/linux/packages/
👉 Windows: ➡️ softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/17.5.2/23775571/windows/packages/
🔎 How to Find the Right Download:
- Click the link for the Workstation Player or Workstation Pro directory.
- You’ll see folders for different versions (e.g., 17.5.2, 17.5.1). Click into the version you want.
- Inside, look for a “Windows” or “Linux” folder—this will contain the installers.
- If you need VMware Tools, you’ll find them inside Workstation version directories.
💡 Heads-Up Pro Tip
🚨 If you’re using Workstation 17.5.2 (Broadcom’s release), some users have reported bugs and installation issues, especially with VMware Tools. If you run into problems, try using 17.5.1 instead—it might install and upgrade more smoothly. Thanks to alexanderkoponen for the tip he posted, you rock!
What’s Going on with VMware? (aka, Broadcom Drama 101)
Since Broadcom acquired VMware, things have changed big time:
❌ Licensing changes (goodbye free ESXi, hello subscription model)
❌ Paywalls & account verification issues (even long-time users locked out)
❌ Products removed or made harder to access (RIP easy Workstation Player downloads)
If you feel like you’ve been abandoned as a VMware user, you’re definitely not alone. 😑
🔍 More Info on VMware/Broadcom Changes:
📌 Broadcom’s VMware changes explained
📌 VMware users venting on Reddit
📌 List of Broadcom’s new VMware policies
📌 Enterprise IT pros discuss Broadcom’s licensing headaches
🚀 Looking for Alternatives?
With all the chaos, many users are looking at VMware alternatives:
🔹 VirtualBox (✅ Free, open-source, supports snapshots & headless mode)
🔹 Hyper-V (✅ Built into Windows Pro editions)
🔹 XCP-ng (✅ Open-source, based on Citrix XenServer, good for enterprise-level virtualization)
🔹 QEMU/KVM (✅ Linux-native, powerful for advanced users)
👉 If you’re just doing basic VMs, VirtualBox is probably your easiest free option.
👉 If you’re running multiple VMs in a home lab, Hyper-V or XCP-ng might be worth a look.
Final Thoughts
This whole VMware situation is frustrating, to say the least. If you’ve been using their products for years, it’s tough to see things get locked behind paywalls or made harder to access.
Hopefully, these links help you find what you need without jumping through Broadcom’s hoops. If anything changes (or Broadcom makes this even more annoying), I’ll update this post with new links.
💬 Got a tip, mirror link, or an update on VMware’s latest mess? Drop a comment below or reach out—I’d love to keep this as useful as possible!
Good luck, and happy virtualizing! 💻🚀
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