VMware Player is the easiest way to run multiple operating systems at the same time on your PC. With its user-friendly interface, VMware Player makes it effortless for anyone to try out Windows 7 or the latest Linux releases, or create isolated virtual machines to safely test new software and surf the Web. VMware Player can also be used to run a virtual copy of an old PC so that you can recycle the old machines you have under your desk or stored in the closet.
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VMware Player FAQs
- What is VMware Player?
VMware Player is software that enables users to easily create and run virtual machines on a Windows or Linux PC. VMware Player now creates virtual machines in addition to running virtual machines created by VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, VMware Server, or VMware ESX and supports Microsoft virtual machines and Symantec LiveState Recovery disk formats.
- What does it cost?
VMware Player is free for personal non-commercial use. VMware Player is only distributable with written permission from VMware. Please apply here to request a distribution agreement.
- Do I need another VMware product to use VMware Player?
No. VMware Player enables you to create and run virtual machines. However, if you need to leverage powerful developer-centric features such as Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, or Virtual Rights Management features for end-point security, you will need to upgrade to VMware Workstation.
- How does VMware Player work?
VMware Player installs like a standard desktop application. Once installed, VMware Player runs virtual machines in a separate window. VMware Player includes features that enable users to create and configure their own virtual machines for optimal performance and access any devices connected to their PC.
- What can I do with VMware Player?
Use VMware Player to create, run, evaluate, and share software running in virtual machines:
- Create: Use VMware Player to create virtual machines with the latest 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and Linux operating systems. With Easy Install it’s easier than installing them directly on your PC.
- Run: VMware Player can be used by anyone to run virtual machines on a Windows or Linux PC. VMware Player makes it quick and easy to take advantage of the security, flexibility, and portability of virtual machines.
- Evaluate: VMware Player is ideal for safely evaluating software distributed as a virtual appliance. Virtual appliances are pre-built, pre-configured and ready-to-run enterprise software applications packaged along with an operating system in a virtual machine. With VMware Player, anyone can quickly and easily experience the benefits of preconfigured products without any installation or configuration hassles. Run over 900 virtual appliances from leading software vendors available from the VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace.
- Share: VMware Player can be used by anyone to run a virtual machine shared by a colleague or friend. For example, customer support and development teams can share a customer scenario encapsulated within a virtual machine.
- Can I run ACEs using VMware Player?
ACE Instances are policy-wrapped virtual machines created with VMware ACE for additional control and security. VMware Player can run ACE Instances with the addition of an ACE client license that must be installed.
- How can I get VMware Player?
VMware Player is available as a free download for personal use. We also recommend that you download a virtual appliance from VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace.
- What are the minimum PC requirements to install and use VMware Player?
For a typical host system, we recommend that you have a 1 GHz or faster processor (2GHz recommended) and 1GB RAM minimum (2GB RAM recommended). You must have enough memory to run the host operating system, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for applications on the host and guest. See your guest operating system and application documentation for their memory requirements. VMware Player requires approximately 150MB of disk space to install the application. For more details on minimum PC requirements, see the VMware Player Documentation.
- Where can I find other virtual appliances to run in VMware Player?
Download virtual appliances from leading ISVs at the VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace.
- How does VMware Player compare to VMware Workstation and VMware ACE?
VMware Player enables you to quickly and easily create and run virtual machines. However, VMware Player lacks many powerful features, such as Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, or Virtual Rights Management features for end-point security found in VMware Workstation and VMware ACE.
- Can I redistribute VMware Player?
Yes, with permission. If you are interested in redistributing VMware Player, please apply here.
- Are there guidelines for using VMware Player?
Yes. Please refer to the VMware Player End-User License Agreement (EULA) for using VMware Player according to VMware design and licensing guidelines.
- Can VMware Player install on the same machine as other VMware products?
No. VMware Player is not designed to co-install with other VMware products. If an installation of VMware Workstation, VMware ACE, or VMware Server is detected on a machine where VMware Player is being installed, the VMware Player installation will display an error message and abort. However, if you purchase and install VMware Workstation 7, VMware Player is included.
- Is VMware Player localized in Japanese or other languages?
No. VMware Player is available in English only.
- Is Support and Subscription available for VMware Player?
No. Support and Subscription is not available for VMware Player. However, VMware provides self-help resources such as:
- VMware Player Documentation — Getting Started product documentation
- VMware Player Discussion Forums — Users can share their information and experiences with others
VMware Player Redistribution
If you are interested in distributing the Software electronically or via internal Web site, CD or other media, or are interested in placing a VMware provided logo on your printed material, please apply now.
