VMware Workstation 12 - How to configure and optimize your settings
How to Download VMware Workstation 12
VMware Workstation 12 is a desktop virtualization software that lets you run multiple operating systems on a single PC. It is a powerful tool for developers, testers, IT professionals, and enthusiasts who want to create, test, and deploy applications in various environments. In this article, we will show you how to download and install VMware Workstation 12 on your Windows or Linux PC.
how to download vmware workstation 12
What is VMware Workstation 12 and what are its benefits?
VMware Workstation 12 is a software that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your physical machine. A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a computer system that behaves like a real computer. You can install any operating system and application on a virtual machine, and switch between them easily without rebooting your PC.
VMware Workstation 12 provides the following benefits:
Flexibility: You can run any application on any platform without rebooting computers. Also, you dont need to reboot computers while changing virtual machines.
Easy-to-Use: You can use VMware Workstation 12 to check and evaluate the impact of a data center as well as workload changes, but at the same time, without affecting the production environment.
Highly-Secured: You can protect your virtual machines with encryption and password protection, and isolate them from the host system and network.
Cost-Effectiveness: You can save money by reducing hardware costs, power consumption, and maintenance expenses.
Learning and Development: You can use VMware Workstation 12 to learn new skills, test new software, or experiment with different operating systems and configurations.
What are the system requirements for VMware Workstation 12?
Before downloading and installing VMware Workstation 12, you need to make sure that your physical machine meets the system requirements for VMware Workstation 12. According to the official documentation, these are the minimum requirements:
How to install vmware workstation 12 on windows 10
How to download vmware workstation 12 pro for free
How to upgrade vmware workstation 12 to 15
How to download and install vmware workstation 12 on linux
How to activate vmware workstation 12 with license key
How to download vmware workstation 12 for mac
How to uninstall vmware workstation 12 from windows
How to download vmware workstation 12 iso file
How to create a virtual machine in vmware workstation 12
How to configure network settings in vmware workstation 12
How to download vmware workstation 12 player
How to run multiple operating systems in vmware workstation 12
How to download vmware workstation 12 trial version
How to enable virtualization in bios for vmware workstation 12
How to download and use vmware tools in vmware workstation 12
How to share files between host and guest in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows 10 in vmware workstation 12
How to clone a virtual machine in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install ubuntu in vmware workstation 12
How to increase disk space in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install kali linux in vmware workstation 12
How to take snapshots in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install android in vmware workstation 12
How to connect usb devices in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install macos in vmware workstation 12
How to change display resolution in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install centos in vmware workstation 12
How to convert a physical machine to a virtual machine in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install fedora in vmware workstation 12
How to enable drag and drop in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install red hat linux in vmware workstation 12
How to encrypt a virtual machine in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows server in vmware workstation 12
How to enable nested virtualization in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install debian in vmware workstation 12
How to pause and resume a virtual machine in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows xp in vmware workstation 12
How to enable sound in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows 7 in vmware workstation 12
How to enable clipboard sharing in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows vista in vmware workstation 12
How to enable bridged networking in vmware workstation 12
How to download and install windows server core edition in vmware workstation 12
ComponentRequirement
Processor64-bit x86 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor or equivalent, AMD Athlon 64 FX Dual Core Processor or equivalent
Memory4GB RAM minimum/8GB RAM or more recommended
Disk space1.5GB for installation/Additional hard disk space required for each virtual machine
Display1024 x 768 resolution or higher
Host operating system64-bit Windows or Linux operating system (see the list of supported host operating systems)
Guest operating systemAny supported by VMware (see the list of supported guest operating systems) Steps to download VMware Workstation 12
Now that you have checked the system requirements for VMware Workstation 12, you can proceed to download the software from the VMware Workstation Download Center. Here are the steps to follow:
Navigate to the VMware Workstation Download Center. You can use this link to access the download page. Alternatively, you can go to the VMware website, click on Products, select Workstation Pro, and then click on Download Now.
Choose the right version and platform for your needs. On the download page, you will see two tabs: Workstation 16 Pro and Workstation 12.5 Pro. Click on the Workstation 12.5 Pro tab to see the available options for Windows and Linux. Select the one that matches your host operating system and click on Download Now.
Log in or create a Customer Connect profile. Before you can download the software, you need to log in with your existing Customer Connect profile or create a new one. A Customer Connect profile is a free account that gives you access to VMware products, services, and support. To create a new profile, click on Create an Account and fill in the required information. To log in with an existing profile, enter your email address and password and click on Sign In.
Review the End User License Agreement and download the installer. After logging in or creating a profile, you will see a pop-up window with the End User License Agreement (EULA) for VMware Workstation 12. Read the EULA carefully and click on Accept if you agree with the terms and conditions. Then, click on Download to start downloading the installer file. The file size is about 400 MB, so it may take some time depending on your internet speed.
Steps to install VMware Workstation 12
Once you have downloaded the installer file for VMware Workstation 12, you can install the software on your PC. Here are the steps to follow:
Uninstall any previous version of VMware Workstation. If you have an older version of VMware Workstation installed on your PC, you need to uninstall it before installing VMware Workstation 12. To do this, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (for Windows) or Applications > Utilities > VMware Uninstaller (for Linux) and follow the instructions to remove the software.
Verify the integrity of the downloaded installer file. Before running the installer file, you should verify that it is not corrupted or tampered with. To do this, you can use a tool like MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility (for Windows) or md5sum (for Linux) to compare the checksum of the file with the one provided by VMware. A checksum is a unique code that identifies a file and ensures its integrity. If the checksums match, it means that the file is authentic and safe to run.
Run the installer and follow the instructions. To run the installer file, double-click on it or right-click on it and select Run as Administrator (for Windows) or open a terminal window and type sudo sh ./VMware-Workstation-Full-12.x.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.bundle (for Linux). Then, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process. You will need to accept the EULA again, enter your license key (if you have one), choose a destination folder, customize some settings, and restart your PC.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed VMware Workstation 12 on your PC. You can now use this software to create and run virtual machines with different operating systems and applications. Here are some tips and resources for using VMware Workstation 12:
Read the user guide. The user guide provides detailed information on how to use VMware Workstation 12 features and functions. You can access it from here.
Watch some tutorials. The tutorials provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform common tasks with VMware Workstation 12. You can access them from here.
Join the community. The community is a place where you can ask questions, share tips, get help, and connect with other users of VMware Workstation 12. You can access it from here.
FAQs
What are some of the features of VMware Workstation 12?
VMware Workstation 12 has many features that make it a powerful and versatile desktop virtualization software. Some of the features are:
Support for Windows 10 and other latest operating systems. You can run Windows 10, Ubuntu 16.04, Fedora 23, and other new operating systems as guest or host on VMware Workstation 12.
Improved graphics performance and compatibility. You can enjoy smoother graphics and better compatibility with DirectX 10 and OpenGL 3.3 on your virtual machines.
Enhanced networking capabilities. You can create complex virtual networks with IPv6 support, NAT configuration, network simulation, and network inspection.
Advanced security features. You can encrypt and password-protect your virtual machines, use Secure Boot, and integrate with VMware vCloud Air.
Seamless integration with other VMware products. You can share and transfer virtual machines with VMware Fusion, VMware vSphere, and VMware vCloud Air.
How can I upgrade from an older version of VMware Workstation?
If you have a valid license for an older version of VMware Workstation (version 10 or higher), you can upgrade to VMware Workstation 12 at a discounted price. To do this, you need to:
Visit the VMware Workstation Upgrade Center. You can use this link to access the upgrade page. Alternatively, you can go to the VMware website, click on Products, select Workstation Pro, and then click on Upgrade Now.
Select your current version and platform. On the upgrade page, you will see two tabs: Workstation 16 Pro Upgrade and Workstation 12.5 Pro Upgrade. Click on the Workstation 12.5 Pro Upgrade tab to see the available options for Windows and Linux. Select the one that matches your current version and platform and click on Buy Now.
Log in or create a Customer Connect profile. Before you can purchase the upgrade, you need to log in with your existing Customer Connect profile or create a new one. A Customer Connect profile is a free account that gives you access to VMware products, services, and support. To create a new profile, click on Create an Account and fill in the required information. To log in with an existing profile, enter your email address and password and click on Sign In.
Complete the payment process and download the installer. After logging in or creating a profile, you will see a pop-up window with the payment details for the upgrade. Review the information and click on Checkout to proceed to the payment page. Enter your billing information and payment method and click on Place Order to complete the transaction. Then, click on Download to start downloading the installer file for VMware Workstation 12.
How can I get support for VMware Workstation 12?
If you encounter any issues or have any questions about VMware Workstation 12, you can get support from various sources. Some of the sources are:
The user guide. The user guide provides detailed information on how to use VMware Workstation 12 features and functions. You can access it from here.
The knowledge base. The knowledge base provides answers to common questions and solutions to common problems related to VMware Workstation 12. You can access it from here.
The technical support. The technical support provides assistance from VMware experts for technical issues related to VMware Workstation 12. You can access it from here. Note that you need to have a valid support contract or subscription to use this service.
The community forums. The community forums provide help from other users of VMware Workstation 12 who share their experiences, tips, and feedback. You can access it from here.
How can I use VMware Workstation 12 to create and manage virtual machines?
To create and manage virtual machines with VMware Workstation 12, you need to use the VMware Workstation interface. The interface consists of three main components:
The menu bar. The menu bar provides access to various commands and options for VMware Workstation 12. You can use it to create, edit, power on/off , suspend/resume, clone, share, and delete virtual machines, as well as configure settings, preferences, and updates for VMware Workstation 12.
The library pane. The library pane displays a list of all the virtual machines that you have created or opened with VMware Workstation 12. You can use it to select, organize, and manage your virtual machines.
The workspace pane. The workspace pane shows the content of the selected virtual machine in the library pane. You can use it to interact with the guest operating system and applications of the virtual machine, as well as view its status, performance, and settings.
To create a new virtual machine with VMware Workstation 12, you can follow these steps:
Click on File > New Virtual Machine. This will open the New Virtual Machine Wizard, which will guide you through the process of creating a new virtual machine.
Select the type of configuration. You can choose between Typical and Custom. Typical is recommended for most users, as it provides a simple and easy way to create a virtual machine with default settings. Custom is recommended for advanced users, as it provides more options and control over the configuration of the virtual machine.
Select the guest operating system. You can choose from a list of supported operating systems, or browse for an installer disc image file (ISO) or a physical disc drive. You can also select I will install the operating system later if you want to create an empty virtual machine and install the operating system later.
Enter the name and location of the virtual machine. You can enter any name and location that you want for your virtual machine. The name will be displayed in the library pane, and the location will be where the virtual machine files will be stored on your physical machine.
Specify the disk size and type of the virtual machine. You can specify how much disk space you want to allocate for your virtual machine, and whether you want to store it as a single file or multiple files. You can also select whether you want to use a SCSI or SATA controller for your virtual disk.
Review the settings and click on Finish. You can review the settings of your new virtual machine and make any changes if needed. Then, click on Finish to create your new virtual machine. The new virtual machine will appear in the library pane, and you can power it on to start installing the guest operating system and applications.
How can I share virtual machines with other users or devices?
One of the features of VMware Workstation 12 is that it allows you to share your virtual machines with other users or devices. This means that you can access your virtual machines from another PC, a smartphone, a tablet, or a web browser. To share your virtual machines with VMware Workstation 12, you need to use the VMware Workstation Server feature. The VMware Workstation Server is a service that runs on your host operating system and enables you to share your virtual machines over a network. To use this feature, you need to follow these steps:
Enable the VMware Workstation Server service. To enable the VMware Workstation Server service, you need to go to Edit > Preferences > Sharing and check the box that says Enable VMware Workstation Server. Then, enter a port number and a password for the service and click on OK.
Create a shared folder for your virtual machines. To create a shared folder for your virtual machines, you need to go to File > Shared VMs > Settings and click on Add Folder. Then, browse for a folder on your physical machine where you want to store your shared virtual machines and click on OK.
Move or clone your virtual machines to the shared folder. To move or clone your virtual machines to the shared folder, you need to right-click on the virtual machine in the library pane and select Move to or Clone to. Then, select Shared VMs as the destination and click on OK.
Connect to your shared virtual machines from another device. To connect to your shared virtual machines from another device, you need to use one of these methods:
Use another instance of VMware Workstation 12. If you have another PC with VMware Workstation 12 installed, you can connect to your shared virtual machines by going to File > Connect to Server and entering the IP address or hostname of your host PC, along with the port number and password that you set for the VMware Workstation Server service. Then, you can see your shared virtual machines in the library pane and interact with them as usual.
Use Use VMware Workstation Player. If you have another PC with VMware Workstation Player installed, you can connect to your shared virtual machines by going to File > Open a Remote Virtual Machine and entering the IP address or hostname of your host PC, along with the port number and password that you set for the VMware Workstation Server service. Then, you can see your shared virtual machines in the library pane and interact with them as usual.
Use VMware Horizon Client. If you have a smartphone or a tablet with VMware Horizon Client installed, you can connect to your shared virtual machines by launching the app and entering the IP address