Significant Changes in VMware Licensing and Updates
In May 2023, a notable shift occurred when VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro transitioned to a free model. This change eliminated the necessity for a license for personal users, paving the way for broader accessibility. During this period, Broadcom also published a comprehensive guide detailing the installation process and how to navigate the transition.
Fast forward to November, when the non-Pro editions of these products were also made available at no cost. Consequently, VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro ceased to be available for purchase, further emphasizing the company’s commitment to accessibility.
Latest Updates: Version 17.6.2 Released
Today, Broadcom announced the release of updates for VMware Workstation Pro and Workstation Player, now at version 17.6.2. This latest update extends its free licensing model not only to personal users but now includes commercial and educational users as well. Additionally, it addresses various performance issues, particularly bugs causing crashes and freezes on both Windows 11 and Linux operating systems.
Persistent Issues and Bug Fixes
Despite these improvements, it’s unfortunate that existing multi-monitor functionality issues remain unaddressed. Below is a detailed overview of the changes and fixes included in the latest release:
What’s New
Free Licensing Model
- VMware Workstation Pro is now fully licensed for free for commercial, educational, and personal use.
Bug Fixes
- Version 17.6.2 includes various customer-requested bug fixes.
Resolved Issues
- Crashes during snapshot operations in the Snapshot Manager for VMware Workstation on Linux have been resolved.
- Unresponsiveness of virtual machines on Windows 11 hosts post-locking/unlocking has been addressed.
- Issues related to virtual machines on Linux hosts becoming unresponsive due to the kcompactd kernel process have been fixed.
Known Issues
- The multi-monitor feature may not function correctly across certain hardware configurations.
Workaround:
No workaround available.
This update marks a significant step forward for VMware’s user community, while also indicating areas for future improvement. Users are encouraged to explore the advantages of these updates while keeping an eye out for potential resolutions regarding the multi-monitor challenges.
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