---
Classes:
  - Introduction to Security Operations
---

# VMWare Workstation

## Alternative

If the situation doesn't specifically require VMWare Workstation and you can use any Hypervisior, I strongly suggest using [Virtual Machine Manager](VirtualMachineManager.md) (virt-manager); as it uses KVM, which has support built into the kernel, which means a much simpler install for some distributions and less potential for issues.

## Install
Tested on Debian 13 Trixie

Note: As of writing this (March 2026), the install script fails if it does not detect systemd.
Most Linux distributions use systemd, but if yours doesn't you will not be able to install it.

### Prerequisites

VMWare Workstation requires the kernel headers and `pkexec` to be installed, the exact packages required may depend on your distribution, but here are some common ones:

#### Debian/Ubuntu/Mint:
```sh
sudo apt install linux-headers-generic pkexec
```
#### Fedora: 
pkexec is apart of the `polkit` package, which should be installed
```sh
sudo dnf install kernel-headers
```
#### Arch-based: 
pkexec is apart of the `polkit` package, which should be installed
```sh
sudo pacman -S linux-headers
```

### Download

As normal you download from https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/downloads

Just be certain you download the Linux version, it should be a .bundle file (eg. `VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2u1-25219725.x86_64.bundle`)

### Install

Assuming it was downloaded into `~/Downloads/` and adjust the file name here if it is a later version.
```sh
chmod +x ~/Downloads/VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2u1-25219725.x86_64.bundle
sudo ~/Downloads/VMware-Workstation-Full-25H2u1-25219725.x86_64.bundle
```
Run VMWare Workstation and follow the prompts to install the needed kernel modules and accept the EULA
