How to Download and Install VMware Workstation Pro (Free)

VMware Workstation Pro is now free for personal use. To get it, you need to create a free Broadcom account, navigate to the VMware Cloud Foundation downloads section, and download the latest VMware Workstation Pro installer for Windows. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, but Broadcom’s website makes it harder than it needs to be — this guide covers every step.

Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 7, 2026

Key Takeaways

• VMware Workstation Pro is completely free for personal use — no license key required. Select “Use VMware Workstation Pro for personal use” on first launch.
• You must enable virtualization in your BIOS and Windows before VMware will work. Without it, virtual machines will not start.
• Downloading VMware requires creating a free Broadcom account and navigating to Software → VMware Cloud Foundation → My Downloads → VMware Workstation Pro.
• VMware Workstation Pro is available for both Windows and Linux. VirtualBox is a free alternative if you prefer an easier setup process.

Quick Steps

1. Enable virtualization in your BIOS and Windows settings (if not already done).
2. Go to the VMware Desktop Hypervisor page and click Download Fusion or Workstation.
3. Create a free Broadcom account (email verification required).
4. Navigate to Software → VMware Cloud Foundation → My Downloads → VMware Workstation Pro.
5. Select the latest Windows release under VMware Workstation Pro for Personal Use, agree to the terms, and download.
6. Run the installer, follow the setup wizard, and select Personal Use on first launch.

How to Enable Virtualization Before Installing VMware

Before installing any hypervisor — whether that is VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V — you need to have virtualization enabled in your computer’s BIOS and in Windows. Without it, VMware will install but your virtual machines will not start.

I have a step-by-step guide on enabling virtualization that covers the BIOS settings for Intel (VT-x) and AMD (AMD-V), plus the Windows features you need to turn on. If you are not sure whether virtualization is already enabled, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Performance tab, and check whether Virtualization shows as Enabled under CPU.

How to Create a Broadcom Account

VMware is now owned by Broadcom, so you need a free Broadcom account to access the download. Go to the VMware Desktop Hypervisor Solutions page and click Download Fusion or Workstation. This redirects you to the Broadcom support portal.

1. Click the Login tab, then click Register to create a new account.
2. Enter your email address and complete the CAPTCHA.
3. Check your email for a verification code from Broadcom Support. Copy the code, paste it into the verification field, and click Verify and Continue.
4. Fill out the required personal information fields (marked with a red asterisk), accept the terms, and click Create Account.
5. Skip the profile build prompt (“I’ll do it later”) — you do not need to complete it.

How to Download VMware Workstation Pro

Once logged into the Broadcom portal, the download is buried a few clicks deep. Here is the exact path:

1. Click Software in the left sidebar.
2. Click VMware Cloud Foundation.
3. Click My Downloads.
4. Find and click VMware Workstation Pro in the product list.
5. Under VMware Workstation Pro for Personal Use, select the latest release for Windows (17.6 at the time of writing — always pick the newest version available).
6. Click I agree to the terms and service.
7. Click the Download button. You may be prompted to fill out additional required fields before the download starts — complete those and click Submit.

Tip: If the download button does not appear after agreeing to the terms, try refreshing the page. Broadcom’s portal can be finicky — sometimes you need to click through the steps again.

How to Install VMware Workstation Pro

Once the download finishes, run the installer executable. The setup wizard is straightforward:

1. Accept the license agreement and click Next.
2. Choose the installation path (the default is fine for most users).
3. On the next screen, check Add VMware Workstation console tools to the system PATH. This lets you control VMs from the command line later.
4. Uncheck “Join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program” if you do not want to send usage data.
5. Click Install (or Upgrade if you have a previous version) and wait for it to finish.
6. Click Finish and launch VMware Workstation Pro from the Start menu.

On first launch, VMware may ask whether you are using it for personal or commercial purposes. Select Use VMware Workstation Pro for personal use — no license key is needed.

What Can You Do With VMware Workstation Pro?

Once installed, you can create virtual machines to run other operating systems inside Windows. This is useful for testing Linux distributions, running older versions of Windows, or trying out software without affecting your main system. I use VMware for testing every new Linux distro and Windows build before covering them on the channel.

To create your first VM, click Create a New Virtual Machine in VMware, point it to an ISO file, and follow the wizard. If you need a specific setup guide:

• How to install Windows 7 in VMware — step-by-step walkthrough for setting up a Windows 7 VM
• Download a Windows 11 ISO — get the latest ISO to use with your VM
• Download a Windows 10 ISO — for setting up a Windows 10 VM

VMware Workstation Pro vs VirtualBox

Both are free for personal use. VMware Workstation Pro generally offers better performance, smoother 3D acceleration, and more advanced networking and snapshot features. VirtualBox is open source and easier to set up — no Broadcom account needed, just download and install. If you want the best VM performance and do not mind the account setup, go with VMware. If you want something quick and simple, VirtualBox works well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VMware Workstation Pro actually free?

Yes. Since May 2024, VMware Workstation Pro is free for personal use. You do not need a license key — just select “Personal Use” on first launch. Commercial use still requires a paid license.

Do I need to enable virtualization to use VMware?

Yes. Virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) must be enabled in your BIOS, and the Windows virtualization features need to be turned on. Without these, VMware will install but virtual machines will fail to start. Check my virtualization guide for the exact steps.

Can I install VMware Workstation Pro on Linux?

Yes. During the download step, you can choose the Linux version instead of Windows. The same Broadcom account and download path applies — the only difference is which installer you download.

What if the Broadcom download button does not work?

Broadcom’s portal can be unreliable. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or using a different browser. Make sure you have completed all the required personal information fields — the download button will not appear until every field marked with a red asterisk is filled out.

Should I use VMware or VirtualBox?

VMware Workstation Pro offers better performance and more advanced features. VirtualBox is simpler to install and open source. For most personal use, either works — VMware is the better choice if you plan to run VMs regularly or need features like linked clones and advanced networking.