Solved VMware Workstation Updates.

OAT · May 14, 2026

To those who want to avoid the dreadful Broadcom site, you can download the latest version in the first post of this thread.

VMware Workstation Updates.

Latest version: 05-14-2026 VMware-Workstation-Full-26H1-25388281.exe from my OneDrive or...

www.elevenforum.com

garlin · May 14, 2026

pseymour said:
I deployed 25H2u1 to hundreds of workstations literally yesterday.

The reward for doing a great job is more work.

altae · May 14, 2026

The Broadcom website is indeed horrible. It almost seems as if they deliberately designed it so that it's almost impossible to find anything.

andrew129260 · May 14, 2026

garlin said:
The reward for doing a great job is more work.

Ain't that the truth.
My favorite is when you update vmware tools and it acts like you didn't
so you have to do it again.

Although maybe just a weird bug with vxrail / vSphere.

pseymour said:
I deployed 25H2u1 to hundreds of workstations literally yesterday.

My condolences

OAT · May 14, 2026

A little warning with this release: 26H1

I used to be able to run a VM client using either Workstation(VMware.exe) or the VMPlayer(VMPlayer.exe).
VMPlayer allowed you to launch directly your virtual client from a .vmx file (or shortcut of) and this without stopping at the VMWare splash screen.
It meant that multiple shortcuts of all your VMs could be added to the Windows Start Menu in its own menu app folder.

Sadly, VMPlayer was removed from this release meaning that the Workstation console is the only way to go now.
I attempted to keep the VMPlayer installation intact but now it reports that a binary is missing.
It does run quicker though because of the 64bit binaries.

andrew129260 · May 14, 2026

OAT said:
A little warning with this release: 26H1

I used to be able to run a VM client using either Workstation(VMware.exe) or the VMPlayer(VMPlayer.exe).
VMPlayer allowed you to launch directly your virtual client from a .vmx file (or shortcut of) and this without stopping at the VMWare splash screen.
It meant that multiple shortcuts of all your VMs could be added to the Windows Start Menu in its own menu app folder.

Sadly, VMPlayer was removed from this release meaning that the Workstation console is the only way to go now.
I attempted to keep the VMPlayer installation intact but now it reports that a binary is missing.
It does run quicker though because of the 64bit binaries.

Thats a great heads up thanks!

Luckily I no longer use vmware player but sad for those that did.

Scannerman · May 15, 2026

OAT said:
To those who want to avoid the dreadful Broadcom site, you can download the latest version in the first post of this thread.

VMware Workstation Updates.

Latest version: 05-14-2026 VMware-Workstation-Full-26H1-25388281.exe from my OneDrive or...

www.elevenforum.com

Admittedly it has been some time since I have visited the Broadcom site but I must agree that it isn't among the easiest sites to navigate. I wouldn't exactly call it 'dreadful' as I did eventually manage to find the firmware I needed, but perhaps it isn't the same for all things Broadcom. I may need to avago at it again

andrew129260 · May 15, 2026

It has gotten better since they added a big free downloads button.

But I just avoid all that and get it from softpedia or something.

hader · May 15, 2026

Version is intended for use with Windows 26H1. For Windows 25H2 use version VMWare Workstation Pro 25H2u1.

andrew129260 · May 15, 2026

hader said:
Version is intended for use with Windows 26H1. For Windows 25H2 use version VMWare Workstation Pro 25H2u1.

Really? Do you have a source? I have not seen this, currently running 26H1 on win11 25H2 without issue.....

They offered me the update in the program to go to this version knowing I am on win 11 25h2 so I find that odd.

It makes sense with the numbering but still. Plus there are bugs in 25 that are fixed in 26 for even 25h2

OAT · May 15, 2026

hader said:
Version is intended for use with Windows 26H1. For Windows 25H2 use version VMWare Workstation Pro 25H2u1.

Source please?
The Broadcom site makes no mention of that. I consider the statement above baseless.
I've linked the Release notes to this version.

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/content/dam/broadcom/techdocs/us/en/pdf/vmware/desktop-hypervisors/workstation/vmware-workstation-pro-26h1.pdf

hader · May 15, 2026

andrew129260 said:
Really? Do you have a source? I have not seen this, currently running 26H1 on win11 25H2 without issue.....

Since when is Broadcom naming there versions like Windows versions? Their last one was 17. After that they decided to follow the Windows version as a version. They had VM25H2 and their latest release VM25H2u1. While VM26H1 was intended for ARM devices, MS also produced a version that is more an extension of 25H2; 26H1 but with a new engine 28000.1836 (Latest for x86 and ARM) As 25H2 and 26H1 don't differ that shocking much Broadcom adapted their VM25H2u1 a bit and called it VM26H1. Version VM25H2, VM25H2u1 and VM26H1 are intended to run on Windows 11 PC's. They don't talk about Windows 25H1 or 26H1. VM26H1 is 4Mb smaller than VM25H2u1.

Is VM26H1 just an update of VM25H2u1? Maybe or maybe not. Both are capable to run 25H2 and 26H1 as long as they are x64 machines. I would give it an different name to prevent confusion. Call it VM25H2.2 then..... I think this a marketing issue. "We have VM26H1 already!!" while the rest of the world is waiting on Windows 11 26H2..... How will call their next update while 26H2 isn't out yet?..... Can't use VM26H2...

OAT · May 15, 2026

hader said:
Since when is Broadcom naming there versions like Windows versions? Their last one was 17. After that they decided to follow the Windows version as a version. They had VM25H2 and their latest release VM25H2u1. While VM26H1 was intended for ARM devices, MS also produced a version that is more an extension of 25H2; 26H1 but with a new engine 28000.1836 (Latest for x86 and ARM) As 25H2 and 26H1 don't differ that shocking much Broadcom adapted their VM25H2u1 a bit and called it VM26H1. Version VM25H2, VM25H2u1 and VM26H1 are intended to run on Windows 11 PC's. They don't talk about Windows 25H1 or 26H1. VM26H1 is 4Mb smaller than VM25H2u1.

Is VM26H1 just an update of VM25H2u1? Maybe or maybe not. Both are capable to run 25H2 and 26H1 as long as they are x64 machines. I would give it an different name to prevent confusion. Call it VM25H2.2 then..... I think this a marketing issue. "We have VM26H1 already!!" while the rest of the world is waiting on Windows 11 26H2..... How will call their next update while 26H2 isn't out yet?..... Can't use VM26H2...

I beg you not to blame Broadcom for their versioning protocol; you basically made a statement based on assumptions.
Please kindly avoid misleading users of this site and try to always backup your statement by pointing to a legitimate source.

In the meantime, I invite you to study the release notes.

https://techdocs.broadcom.com/content/dam/broadcom/techdocs/us/en/pdf/vmware/desktop-hypervisors/workstation/vmware-workstation-pro-26h1.pdf

pseymour · May 15, 2026

hader said:
Version is intended for use with Windows 26H1. For Windows 25H2 use version VMWare Workstation Pro 25H2u1.

It’s also available for Linux. By your reasoning, which Linux called 26H1 do I install it on?

altae · May 15, 2026

There is zero connection between VMWare Workstation's version 26H1 und Windows 11's version 25H2. Of course Workstation 26H1 can be used on Windows 11 25H2.

garlin · May 15, 2026

This gets funny if Workstation 26H2 gets released for ARM. Since ARM won't get W11 26H2.

hader · May 16, 2026

OAT said:
I beg you not to blame Broadcom for their versioning protocol; you basically made a statement based on assumptions.
Please kindly avoid misleading users of this site and try to always backup your statement by pointing to a legitimate source.

Not to blame? Who changed their versions number then? Not me. They don't mention Windows 25H2 or 26H1 them self. Just Windows 10/11.

Workstation Pro Version

OS Vendor	OS Release	16.0	16.1.0	16.2.x	17.0	17.5	17.6	25H2	26H1
Microsoft	Windows 10	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	(Supported on Windows 10 20H1 or later.)
Microsoft	Windows 11	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Why call something 26H1 then?

OAT · May 16, 2026

hader said:
Not to blame? Who changed their versions number then? Not me. They don't mention Windows 25H2 or 26H1 them self. Just Windows 10/11.

Are you still posting about that?
You were wrong in assuming that Broadcom versioning matched Microsoft's Windows and posted accordingly.
It was your mistake , it's OK, you are forgiven.
I make mistakes every day and this could yet be another one.

garlin · May 16, 2026

hader said:
Why call something 26H1 then?

Because it's released in the first half of 2026. MS made it trendy.

LeLibran · May 16, 2026

Broadcom explained the naming change for their VMware Workstation (for Windows and Linux) and Fusion (for macOS) products when they released the 25H2 software versions. See:

VMware Workstation & Fusion 25H2: Embracing Calendar Versioning and New Features

We’re excited to announce VMware Workstation 25H2 and VMware Fusion 25H2, the latest updates to our desktop hypervisors.

blogs.vmware.com

Solved VMware Workstation Updates.

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