Vmware Workstation 16 Download | Linux

VMware Workstation relies on kernel modules (e.g., vmmon, vmnet) that must match your current running kernel. If you update your Linux kernel via a system update, VMware may stop working.

Background A systems engineer named Mira needs to set up multiple isolated Linux test environments on her workstation to validate kernel patches and new container runtimes. Her team standard is VMware Workstation 16 for consistent hypervisor behavior across engineers. Time is limited; she must download, install, and license Workstation 16 on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, create a VM for Ubuntu Server 22.04, and snapshot a baseline to enable fast rollbacks.

Step-by-step plan (actionable)

Outcome Within ~60–90 minutes, Mira has VMware Workstation 16 installed on her Ubuntu host, a configured Ubuntu Server 22.04 VM with open-vm-tools, and a snapshoted baseline she can clone or revert to for safe, repeatable kernel testing.

sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" sudo dnf install kernel-devel-$(uname -r) Vmware Workstation 16 Download Linux

Because Workstation 16 predates newer kernels, you may face these errors:

VMware Workstation 16 Pro is a powerful Type-2 hypervisor that allows you to run multiple 64-bit operating systems as virtual machines on a Linux host. As of November 2024, VMware Workstation Pro is free for personal, educational, and commercial use. Download and Installation Process

To get VMware Workstation 16 for Linux, follow these steps to download the installer bundle and set it up on your system.

VMware Workstation 16 is a powerful Type-2 hypervisor that allows you to run multiple guest operating systems, such as Windows, various Linux distributions, and even ESXi, on a single Linux host machine. While version 17 is the current release, version 16 remains a popular choice for users with older hardware or specific compatibility requirements. How to Download VMware Workstation 16 for Linux VMware Workstation relies on kernel modules (e

Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, official downloads are primarily managed through the Broadcom Support Portal.

The official download source is customerconnect.vmware.com. Here is the exact path to locate the Linux bundle:

⚠️ Warning: Avoid third-party download sites. They often package malware or outdated versions that fail to compile modules on modern kernels.

Install build dependencies

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) dkms
Broadcom acquired VMware in 2023/2024. Consequently, the download repository has moved. You cannot reliably find the official installer on the old VMware website anymore. Here is the correct method.
Official Source (Broadcom Support Portal):

Alternative (Archives):
For non-commercial or personal use, you can often find archived versions on trusted open-source mirrors. Always verify SHA256 checksums after downloading.
What about the license?
VMware Workstation 16 Pro is a paid product, but VMware (now Broadcom) has released free licenses for personal use for Workstation Pro 16 and 17. When you install, you can select "I want the free license for personal use" after registering a free Broadcom account. Outcome Within ~60–90 minutes, Mira has VMware Workstation