Virtual machines, which are simulated PCs with their own operating systems running on another computer’s software, are now more accessible thanks to VMware making their popular VM software, Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro, free for personal use. Setting up virtual machines can be complicated for new users, with Oracle’s VirtualBox being a popular but less user-friendly option. VMware Workstation Pro, with decades of development and support, is more accessible and easy to use.
Workstation Pro is designed for Windows and Linux, while Fusion Pro is for Mac, and both can run virtually any modern operating system. This change comes after Broadcomm’s acquisition of VMware, resulting in the discontinuation of VMware Workstation Player and Fusion Player software. These Player programs are limited versions of the software that do not allow modifications or access to all features.
Users can download Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro for free, but commercial users will need to purchase a license key for commercial use. Professional customers with a licensing agreement with Broadcomm are covered, but individual commercial users must pay $120 per year for a subscription. It is important to use the correct licensing for commercial use, as using a free personal license in a commercial setting can result in a hefty bill.
The author’s father is an employee of VMware but was not contacted for this article. This move by VMware to offer their VM software for free for personal use makes virtual machines more accessible to a wider range of users and simplifies the process of setting up and running virtual machines.
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