How to Install VMware Workstation 17 Pro on Windows 10 / 11

This article provides a step-by-step guide for installing VMware Workstation 17 Pro. Creating and operating virtual machines is crucial on a 64-bit Windows PC.

We’ll explain all the stages of building a virtual system on your PC. Whether you’re new to this or an expert, this guide makes setting up a VMware VM comfortable.

How to Install and Run VMware Workstation Pro on Windows 10

VMware Workstation is a dominant virtualization software that performs reliably on various OSs. This advanced program provides excellent performance and works smoothly on multiple systems.

With this fantastic program, you can easily set up and operate different virtual operating systems on your computer. If you’re a software developer, this tool is like a beneficial friend for checking your app on other computers.

If you’re a networking admin, VMware Pro is your vital go-to solution for facilitating jobs and simplifying your workload. For instance, if you’ve got a fresh FTP server that needs integration into your local network – this program has covered you.

This software is highly flexible. Set it up on a spare desktop computer, and create a virtual Microsoft Server 2019, 2016, or 2012 machine. Transform the PC into a versatile file server.

What are the System Requirements for VMware on Windows 10 or 11?

For VMware Workstation Pro 17 to work on Windows 10 or 11, your computer needs to have at least these specifications:

• A 64-bit processor is recommended. Ideally, it has four or more powerful cores.
• 16 GB of RAM is enough. But we recommend 32 GB or more for superior performance.
• 4 GB of disk space is primary. A recommended SSD enhances performance.
• Windows 10 or 11 OS provides versatile functionality.
• A valid license for VMware Workstation is essential. Ensure it’s the latest version for the largest utility.

What’s New in VMware Workstation 17 Pro

VMware happily launched the 17 Pro and Player versions on the exciting date of November 17, 2022. They also released Fusion 13 Pro/Player 17 for happy Mac users.

• VMware Workstation 17 Pro introduces Virtual Trusted Platform Module 2.0. This enables virtual machines to install Windows 11 or other TPM-requiring OS.
• Excited developers cleverly made the new OpenGL 4.3 version to get smooth and beautiful images in virtual machines.
• They added Full and Fast options to encrypt virtual machines.
• They added WDDM (Windows Display Driver Model) version 1.2 support for guest systems running with Workstation Pro.
• They impressively included support for exciting new operating systems. These include Microsoft Windows 11 and the highly-anticipated MS Server 2022. They’ve also integrated compatibility with the latest RHEL 9, Debian 11.x, and Ubuntu 22.04.
• They also added a feature where some VMs can start independently when the host computer turns on.

How to Install the VMware Virtual Machine Software

You can install VMware Pro on your regular computer or laptop. Or, you can set it up inside a virtual machine. This way, you can smoothly try out version 17 without messing up what you already have.

To install the step-by-step VMware virtual appliance program on Windows 10, just do these steps:

Step 1

First, check if the processor in your physical PC (the one you can touch) has a feature called virtualization. You can do this in two ways:

1. Suppose you have an Intel or AMD branded processor. You can check the VTx feature by checking the model number on the manufacturer’s web page.
2. You must learn control over the virtualization feature. You have two options for this task:
   • Intel (R) Processor Identification Utility
   • AMD-V with RVI Hyper-V Compatibility Utility

Use the Intel Processor Identification Utility to check if your Intel CPU supports VTx. Look in the CPU TECHNOLOGIES section to confirm it. You’ll find the Intel Virtualization Technology feature there.

Using AMD software on an Intel CPU results in a stern warning. You will see it when attempting. It will unequivocally state that this tool did not find an AMD processor.

Step 2

After ensuring your CPU can do virtualization, go to this page to get Workstation Pro. Then, in the section for Windows systems, click Download Now.

Step 3

After efficiently downloading the setup file, right-click and select Run as administrator.

Step 4

Please wait while it gets the necessary files to install the newest version of VMware Pro.

Step 5

To keep installing Workstation Pro, click the Next button in the Setup window.

Step 6

You must agree to the license agreement to ensure a hassle-free Workstation software setup. After accepting it, hit the Next button in the End-User License Agreement window.

Step 7

Installing the Enhanced Keyboard Driver when using a virtual machine in the program is a good idea. Check the confirm box and click Next to install the advanced option.

Step 8

Ensure a smooth user experience by enabling automatic updates at startup. Also, opt to take part in the customer experience program willingly.

In the User Experience Settings window, easily enable product updates. Also, opt for participation in the Improvement Program.

Step 9

To put shortcuts on your Windows 10 desktop and start the menu, check both options in the Shortcuts window and click the Next button.

Step 10

Next, click the Install button to build the virtual OS program on Windows 10.

Step 11

Wait as the program copies the files it needs onto your system for Workstation Pro and sets up the system settings.

Step 12

Once you’ve completed the intricate steps, click the Finish button precisely.

Step 13

Click the Yes button to renew your computer for the beneficial changes.

Step 14

Once the PC restarts, promptly double-click the VMware shortcut to open it.

If you have purchased VMware software, enter the license key in the space provided below. Or, if you want to enjoy a free trial for 30 days, select the option and continue.

Step 15

This window informs you that you can buy the program from the Online Store after the trial period. Thus, click Finish to close the thank you window after activating the evaluation version of the app.

Step 16

Once you have successfully installed VMware Pro, you can find its edition by going to Help and selecting About.

How to Uninstall VMware Workstation on Windows 10

If you decide to uninstall VMware software from your PC, please know that it will remove all VMs and configurations you have installed. If you only want to remove the app for a specific reason, back up your installed virtual OSs beforehand.

There are two simple ways to remove VMware Workstation:

1. You can uninstall it using Add and Remove Programs on Windows 10.
2. You can uninstall it via the Setup file using the CMD command console.

Step 1

For a fast view, press Windows Key + R. Open Run, execute control appwiz.cpl for Programs.

control appwiz.cplCopy

Step 2

Open the Setup Wizard by double-clicking on VMware Workstation in the program removal window and click Next in this step.

Step 3

You can now remove VMware Workstation Pro from your system by clicking the Remove button. In this window, you can also Repair to fix VMware errors.

NOTE: Another way to uninstall virtual machine software is to use the CMD command prompt. You must have the setup file with the exe extension you downloaded to your computer to do this. Open CMD or Powershell from the file’s location and execute the command below in the terminal to start the wizard.

VMware-workstation-full-17.0.0-20800274.exe /cleanCopy

Step 4

The default selection includes the Product Configuration and Product License Information options. Click Next to confirm the deletion of these configuration settings.

Step 5

Click the Remove button in the Ready to Remove window to start the removal process.

Step 6

After you install VMware, your OS gets config files and network drivers. It’s important to delete these files as part of the process. After deleting them, restart your PC to make the changes work correctly.

Video

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About VMware Workstation 17

Installing VMware Old Versions