Windows 10: vmware workstation 12 out now - built for W10

Is there a free version? Its been years since I last used it.

 

There is! In which flavor 32bit or 64bit do you want it in? The version numbers are different for the 32bit. The June 15th release was for the 64bit 7.1.2 while the July 2nd release saw the 6.0.1 32bit free player. The August 25th however is for the VM Player 12 which is short for Workstation Player 12 on the download file name itself. But each time you go to use that you have to click a numbered button which only woks so many times being for the 30 day evaluation. I posted this on the VM Player guide there too so people wouldn't get confused when trying to scroll through the entire list of categories and then end up only finding the 64bit without a closer look on the download page itself which actually changes when changing which option you select. For the 64bit:

• File NameVMware-player-7.1.2-2780323.exe
• Build Number2780323
• Release Date2015-06-15

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/fre...duct_downloads

For the 32bit Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 you will want the 6.0 option in the "Major" selected and the "6.0(latest)" in the "Minor" there when going to select which one to download. VM ware at this time is leaning mostly towards the 64bit OS options.

• File NameVMware-player-6.0.7-2844087.exe
• Build Number2844087
• Release Date2015-07-02

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/fre...duct_downloads

 

Thanks Night Hawk, so is version 12 free as well?

 

That's description for it seen at http://pubs.vmware.com/Release_Notes..._utmk=69382163

The download page when look to the right column shows Free, Paid indicating free trial but still wanting a product key since this is the renamed newer version of Player Pro a paid for version not the free Player. This is why I had to keep clicking the buttons when going to use it the few times while I had it on and then not being the free version I uninstalled that to see the 7.1.2 go back on. The VMs were still intact I had previously made before trying the 12 player out while a new Workstation folder had been created for 12.

 

Vmware workstation player is the free version.
VMware Workstation Player FAQs: Create and run virtual machines | United States

I usually buy workstation, but I buy every other version. You dont need version 12 to run 10, I am running windows 10 on workstation 10.

 

I've installed version 12, will see how it goes.

 

the VM Workstation Player 12 was previously under the name VM Player Pro which was the paid for version. When you see the option to enter a product key you know you have a trial or shareware type and not a freeware which would be the "7.0, 7.1.2(latest) for the 64bit and 6.0, 6.0.1(latest) for the 32bit. For the architecture you have to check the release notes on where a version is 32bit or 64bit for verification when unsure.

What VM ware did there was make a change of layout when introducing the WP 12 version since previously the note "Strictly Free" player versions for both 32bit, 64bit Windows and the two flavors for Linux were individual links seen on a single page. Now when changing the option note the change in the page address for each one. The [Free, Paid] seen on the front page for Workstation indicates a mix of completely free with the latest version of Player Pro now labeled Workstation Player.

What was actually annoying was seeing it prompt for a product key each time as well as the need to keep clicking one of the 4 or 5 buttons to get going while the actual free version loads direct to the home screen showing what VMs have already been created. There shouldn't be any problem running 10 on a new VM as there isn't any with the 7.0, 7.1.2.

I think you will find that the Player 12 may have a time limit since it is available to download free as you would try out Windows without activation for a limited trial period.

"...free for evaluation in a non commercial environment before purchasing." should be how that reads.

 

Right from this page;
VMware Workstation Player FAQs: Create and run virtual machines | United States

also

More detail

I use VMWare extensively at work.

 

Apparently you still don't understand the difference between "try me out free" and totally free. The Workstation Player 12 or called Workstation 12 Player on the product page reveals something right there. Virtual Machines Multiple Operating Systems: VMware Workstation Player | United States

"VMware Workstation 12 Player Free for Personal Use" is actually for trying it out at home free without any commercial application until you look down at the bottom of the page there where you also see:

Let's read that again. "Download Free Trial" not "Download Free Version"! And what do you run into on the download page itself?

For the 32bit and 64bit free versions you have to go to the other download page and choose which one you are looking for from a Major and Minor pair of dropdown lists. Once on the main "All Downloads" page seen at downloads you have to scroll all the way down next to the bottom but not at the bottom for the VMware Workstation Player item found under the "Desktop and End-User Computing" category and click on the "Download Product" link to arrive at the other download page where the options for choosing between free and trial are seen. free

Whats that? "(PAID)" features? Thought this was supposed to be a freebie? As with any other Trial ware or Shareware you either have a time limit or limited options until you buy a key which then sees all the features unlocked or you simply won't run out of time. This is the information on the 7.1.2 release.

And for the 32bit which obviously will still run on the 64bit and why it listed for both.

 

To clear this all up the Workstation Player 12 or as seen at the site is the trial free to use at home for non commercial application while the actual non commercial free Player not Player Pro is indentified by a look on the Player's home screen you arrive at.





You will immediately notice the option for upgrading to the Workstation or previously named Player Pro version as seen with every version of the free player going back since they first started coming out with the non commercial version as indicated in the lower right hand corner of the player as well as at the very top above the menu bar's Player button. "VMware Player(Non-commercial use only) clearly indicates that as the free version of the player.

Once you are on the correct download page coming from the Download link All Downloads page and locate the correct link for the WP 12 you then use the two dropdown list options to select the version you are after being the non commericial player. You first use the Major Version option to get the correct number depending on 32bit or 64bit flavor with the 7.0 as the latest for the strictly 64bit Windows that came out in mid June.





For anyone looking for the 32bit option still running the 32bit Windows they would pick the 6.0 option released on July 2nd. You will see the red arrow pointing that one out.





Next you simply move over to the Minor Version item to bring down that options menu to pick the 7.1.2 version you just saw in the first screen there. For the 32bit once the Major Version's 6.0 option has been selected you instantly arrive at another page and simply dropdown the Minor Version option to select the 32bit and 64bit 6.0.7(latest) option since this supports both architectures.





The same goes for the Linux downloads as well since those are the same options only for the Linux platform to get the non commercial release. It had been 3yrs. however since they had all the free versions available listed on a single page with a download link for each rather then what you see now with the two buttons and having the trial ware version set for default mainly aimed at those who will be ordering the full version. The freebies are tucked away where you simply have to dig harder to find those!

 

It is free if you are a home user (not a business). It asks you if you want to enter a license key for commercial use or to enable the VMware Workstation Player (PAID) features when you first install only.

There is no time limit but you are right it is feature limited - the features the free version doesn't have are listed by @pparks1 in the post above - but these 3 features are not interesting to me.

 

I just added the 8.1 Enterprise edition VM onto the non commercial version without the need to get past the prompt screen for product key and click one of 4 or 5 buttons in order to get started. That could prove to be very annoying for someone looking to keep it on for a long time over just a fast look at the next version of Windows or at a new Linux flavor as an option for an alternative OS without seeing any changes made to the present Windows machine.

The free player on the other hand doesn't run into the enter key screen or need to click on a button but simply arrives at the home screen immediately when started up. This is what people will be expecting to see especially if they ran an earlier free version instead of going through a regular annoyance to get past the product key screen and the need for choosing which button to click on. I ran into this previously when going to try the Workstation option some years back to see what that had to offer and with the XP Mode previously available for 7 thought no more about since the non commercial version did what was needed.

The free strictly non commercial versions are what to be recommending to the home user since those still see the upgrade option available if later they want the Pro or Workstation paid version for more features. This was also the question being asked by swarfega if the Workstation Player was the free non commercial download or simply the trial version for a full paid for edition.

Otherwise there wasn't any other issue about seeing the existing VMs created earlier running on this new version. The problem that might be seen however is seeing any VMs created on the newest and going back to a previous version and not being able to run the same VMs there.

 

The vmware esxi hypervisor is free. Advanced features come with a price with vmware. Always has.

 

I do understand totally free, I'm a Linux admin at work. Everything we use there is free.

It is free, if you don't need those extra features.

I don't think you will stop being able to use the VMware Workstation Player 12 either.

I went to the website and found the link shown below.




Here is what I clicked on and installed.



When I first fired it up, it asked me for a key, to which i said "nope, using in non-commercial environment", I put in my email address and the application opened.

The application continues to open without any nags, dialog boxes, etc. Rebooted a few times and it just opens.

 

Not the download from that page I ended up with apparently. But the original question wasn't about which ones are free to use but the one that is totally free being the non commercial only. The others likely have a few extra features to consider and when you are at company the company picks up the tab for licensing as a business expense! As an employee you simply run it free to do your work!! That's how that goes.

For the home user however no one else is picking up the tab and if you want extra treats and additional support is provided for something only in the paid for releases you then buy the license. That's how things work as a rule in the software market. It still would be interesting to have a total breakdown on just what each is capable of. If you look at the main product page there's quite a bit there under various categories to choose from with each for one type of application or another.