A practical guide for installing VMware Workstation and creating/managing virtual machines.

vmware.md

VMware

✅ You can run VMs on your PC/Mac for free

• VMware Workstation & VMware Fusion (Desktop Hypervisors)
• Workstation for Windows/Linux and Fusion for macOS
• These desktop virtualization products are now free for all users — personal, educational, and even commercial.
• The older Pro branded versions are no longer sold as paid products; instead these full-featured tools are available at no cost.
• No subscription or license purchase required
• Official support is not included — only community forums and docs.

📥 Download VMware Workstation from Broadcom (Short Version)

1) Download from Broadcom

0. At the workstation page, click on the download link, it will redirect you to a Sing in/up on Broadcom page (Broadcom Dashbord Panel)

Workstation And Fusion

1. Switch to VMware Division

Top-right dropdown → select “VMware Cloud Foundation”.

2. Go to My Downloads

Left sidebar → click My Downloads.

3. Open Free Software Downloads

Click the “Free Software Downloads available HERE” link.

4. Search for Workstation

Type Workstation → find VMware Workstation Pro (Personal Use).

5. Select Version & Agree

Choose the latest version (e.g., 25H2).

Check Terms & Conditions.

Fill trade-compliance info if prompted.

Click the download icon to get the installer.

2) I already downloaded its 2025 version and put it here

VMware Workstation Bundle Ver 25H2

How to install (Linux - Ubuntu)

# Install prerequisites
sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) -y

# Make the bundle executable
chmod +x VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2-24995812.x86_64.bundle

# Run the installer
sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2-24995812.x86_64.bundle

# Launch VMware Workstation
vmware

Create New Virtual Machine

1. File → New Virtual Machine
2. Choose Custom (advanced) → Next
3. Hardware Compatibility: Workstation 25H2 → Next
4. Installer Disc Image File (ISO): Browse to your OS ISO → Next
5. Easy Install Information, fill name, username, password (Ubuntu 24) → Next
6. Specify Virtual Machine Name and Location → Next
7. Specify Number of Processors and Cores (Number of Processors: 1 and Cores: 6) → Next
8. Specify Memory Size (e.g., 8192 MB) → Next
9. Network Type: Use bridged networking → Next
10. I/O Controller Type: Paravirtualized SCSI → Next
11. Select a Disk: Create a new virtual disk (Check out Allocate all disk space now and Choose Store virtual disk as a single file) → Next
12. Specify Disk File: Leave default → Next
13. Review Summary → Finish

VM Tools

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop

Sahre Folder between Host and Guest (Both Linux Ubuntu)

Adding Shared Folder in VMware:

1. Turn off the VM.
2. Go to VM Settings → Options → Shared Folders.
3. Select Always enabled.
4. Go to the VM menu → Removable Devices → Shared Folders → Settings.
5. Click Add to open the Add Shared Folder Wizard.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Browse to select a folder from the host system.
8. Click Next.
9. Specify the name of the folder as it will appear in the guest operating system.
10. Select Enable this share.
11. Click Finish.
12. Start the VM.

Accessing Shared Folder in the Guest OS:

1. Open a terminal in the guest OS.
2. Create a mount point (if it doesn't exist):

   sudo mkdir -p /mnt/hgfs

3. Mount the shared folder:

   sudo vmhgfs-fuse .host:/ /mnt/hgfs -o allow_other

4. Check the contents of the shared folder:

   ls /mnt/hgfs

5. Auto-mount shared folders at boot:
   • Edit the /etc/fstab file:

     sudo nano /etc/fstab

   • Add the following line at the end of the file:

     .host:/ /mnt/hgfs fuse.vmhgfs-fuse defaults,allow_other 0 0
     

   • Save and exit the editor.
   • Reboot the VM to apply changes:

     sudo reboot