Windows 10: "VMware Workstation Pro can't run on Windows" Message

Symptoms:

After installing new Cumulative Update, VMware Workstation software cannot start. Moreover, the following message is displayed:

VMware Workstation Pro can't run on Windows
Check for an updated version of this app that runs on Windows.
Compatibility Assistant
Check for updates - Dismiss





Affected software:

VMware Workstation Player or Pro version 12 and 14, installed in Windows 10 version 1903.

Cause:

As part of Cumulative Update (September 26, 2019; OS Build 18362.387 or newer) installation, databases of programs prohibited by MS was updated, and invasive "Compatibility Assistant" component now prevents older VMware Workstation programs from run.

Resolution:

To run VMware Workstation programs again, it is necessary to replace one of "Compatibility Assistant" database files with an older version (before Cumulative Update mentioned above was installed). Use one of two following methods.

1. If you use a backup program which allows granular restore (on per-file basis)
- restore single and only one file C:\Windows\apppatch\sysmain.sdb from backup taken before the toxic Cumulative Update was installed

or

2. In other cases, manually replace the file C:\Windows\apppatch\sysmain.sdb
- in File Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\apppatch folder
- rightclick on file sysmain.sdb, click Properties, Security, Advanced
- set Owner to Administrators, click OK
- grant Full Control permissions to Administrators, click OK
- rename the file sysmain.sdb to sysmain.bad
- unpack AllowVmware.zip file attached below to your desktop; it includes older sysmain.sdb file
- copy (not move) unpacked sysmain.sdb to C:\Windows\apppatch folder.

AllowVmware.zip

Independently on method used, be prepared to apply this resolution again after some (not necessarily all) future Cumulative Updates.

Comments:

1. VMware Workstation 12.5.9 is the last version which can be run on processors belonging to Intel Core2 family, so upgrading to version 15 isn't an option for some users.
2. The same symptom arises for many other installers, drivers and programs; sometimes it can be resolved either by renaming the installer, or by using five *.sdb files from the oldest versions of Windows 10 (1507 or 1511), or both.

:)

 

Update 1903 refuses to install, reason VMWare Workstation Pro 10

Hi Igor,

I was maybe not clear: the 1903 update cannot be done.

At "Status: installing -25%" I get a message that VMWare Workstation Pro is outdated.

If I try to continue the Windows update, it always stops on the VMWare message. It shows 2 main links. One of the links leads to the site of VMWare and invites to download VMWare Player 14 (which does not support Windows 2000). The other one tells me that
the concerned "app" has to be updated or uninstalled.

My aim: continue de Windows Pro update 1903 without updating or uninstalling VMWare Workstation Pro 10.

Kind regards

Dan

 

Installing vmware workstation pro error

I am trying to install app name VMware workstation pro from edge but when i am running the setup,it shows me"an error occurred while attempting to create directory: C:\Users\Public\Desktop" please help

 

Issue with installing VMware Workstation Pro for Windows

I am trying to install app name VMware workstation pro from edge but when i am running the setup,it shows me"an error occurred while attempting to create directory: C:\Users\Public\Desktop" please help��

Hey Guys, on you windows defender settings, under "ransomware production" you might have turned on "controlled folder access" turn it off and try installing vmware

***Modified title from: vmware solution***

***Moved from: Windows Insider Program / Program announcements and registration***