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VMware Workstation Pro is Broadcom’s desktop hypervisor. Current Windows line is 26H1 (14 May 2026, build 25388281) — a 64-bit host app, ~274 MB. Broadcom’s 26H1 notes say Pro is free for personal, education, and commercial use and no licence key is required. You still download from the Broadcom Support Portal, not a “17.6 unlocked” torrent. Player is no longer the thing you hunt. Hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x / AMD-V) must be on. Do not run untrusted samples on the host.
Download VMware Workstation Pro for Windows
Official download from Broadcom.
Run other OSes in VMs on this PC. Register on the Broadcom portal, download Workstation Pro 26H1 for Windows, install. No serial in current Broadcom notes.
Download Workstation Pro 26H1 for Windows
Windows 10/11 64-bit host · 26H1 (25388281) · Free per Broadcom 26H1 notes · Key not required
Release notes: Workstation Pro 26H1.
Docs: Broadcom Workstation Pro techdocs.
Do not run Workstation_17_Pro_Unlocked.exe. That is not Broadcom.
Work PCs: still use the portal account your firm owns. Guest OS licences (Windows, etc.) are separate.
Install 26H1 · Need 17.6.x? · Already installed?
If you searched for “Workstation 17.6 full,” “26H1 portable,” or “licence keygen”
There is no extra unlocked setup.
- Create / sign in at Broadcom Support
- Free software downloads → VMware Workstation Pro 26H1 for Windows
- File like
VMware-Workstation-Full-26H1-25388281.exe - Install. Enable virtualization in firmware if setup complains
A “26H1 pre-activated” folder plus a patched vmware.exe is stolen or malware. Old 16/17 keys are leftover; 26H1 docs say no key.
17.6.x is the previous numbering. Use it only if a lab is frozen on that branch and Broadcom still lists it.
Your download should start on Broadcom’s portal
If the EXE is 40 MB named VMWare_Pro_2026 from a blog, leave. Official 26H1 Windows is about 274 MB.
What to do next
- Register at Broadcom Support.
- Download Workstation Pro 26H1 for Windows.
- Optional: check SHA-256 against Broadcom / a hash they publish.
- Run the installer as admin.
- Reboot if it asks.
- New VM — use an ISO you own.
Typical folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation or the 64-bit Program Files path 26H1 uses.
Hyper-V / WSL2 / Device Guard on the host can block VMware. Broadcom docs cover coexistence; don’t disable security features you don’t understand.
VMware Tools inside the guest — from Workstation’s menu, not a random ISO.
Windows may warn you. Check the publisher.
- Publisher should read VMware / Broadcom.
- SmartScreen can appear on a new 26H1 setup. Use More info only if the signature matches.
- Do not turn off Defender to “enable 3D.”
- Installer needs admin; it adds kernel drivers.
Pick the right Windows file
| Product | What you get | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Workstation Pro 26H1 | Current hypervisor | This page |
| Workstation 17.6.x | Previous line | Frozen labs |
| Fusion | Mac host | Other OS |
| Hyper-V / VirtualBox | Other hypervisors | Other stacks |
Not this download
- vmwaredesktop.com / random GitHub “mirrors”
- ESXi installer labelled Workstation
- Linux
.bundleon this Windows page
Trial and licence
26H1 release notes: free, no key, personal / education / commercial. Guest Windows still needs a Microsoft licence. Cancel nothing for the hypervisor if Broadcom keeps it free — watch the portal if that policy changes.
A $15 “Pro lifetime 2026” key is not Broadcom.
Will it run on this PC?
Host: 64-bit Windows 10/11, 64-bit CPU with virtualization, 2 GB RAM min / 4 GB+ recommended plus whatever each guest needs (16–32 GB host is normal). Disk for VM files is the real cost (tens of GB each). Nested / Hyper-V hosts need a CPU Broadcom lists. 26H1 adds newer Linux host/guest names (Ubuntu 26.04, Fedora 43/44, etc.).
| Host floor | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Win10/11 64-bit | Current Win11 |
| RAM | 2–4 GB + guests | 16–32 GB |
| CPU | VT-x / AMD-V on | 6+ cores |
| Disk | Installer + VMDKs | NVMe |
Already installed? Portal → 26H1 over 17.x if your VMs are backed up. Snapshot first.
Install, first VM, and firmware
First run
- Open Workstation Pro.
- File → New Virtual Machine.
- Use an ISO you are licensed to run.
- Install VMware Tools in the guest.
- Snapshot before experiments.
Uninstall: Settings → Apps. VM disks stay until you delete the folders.
If it did not work
- “VT-x disabled” — firmware.
- Hyper-V conflict — read Broadcom, don’t guess.
- 50 MB
WS_Pro_Unlocked— leave.
Why people still install Workstation Pro
- Snapshots + multiple guests on one PC
- 26H1 free per Broadcom notes
- Native 64-bit Windows host build
It will not replace a licensed Windows install inside the VM.
Questions before you trust the installer
Is this the official file?
Yes if it came from the Broadcom Support Portal and the publisher is VMware/Broadcom.
Is Pro free now?
26H1 notes say yes, no key. Confirm on the portal when you download.
26H1 vs 17.6?
26H1 is current. 17.x is the old numbering.
Safe?
Official Broadcom installer. Forum “Workstation 17 full” files are the risk.
After you have the file
Install 26H1 (25388281) from Broadcom. Create VMs from software you own.
Release notes: 26H1
Publisher: Broadcom / VMware. Workstation Pro is their mark. Report a page that wrapped this installer in a crack.