To ensure the file is "verified" and safe, you should only download it from the official VMware/Broadcom archive.
VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17171714.exe (for Windows) or the Linux bundle equivalent.
A: If you downloaded from the official source and verified the SHA-256, it is a false positive. VMware drivers access deep kernel functions, which triggers heuristic alarms. Add the installer to your antivirus exclusions. download vmware workstation 1557 verified
A: VMware archives older builds after releasing new patches. You must use the "Older Versions" toggle on Customer Connect or the archive portal. Broadcom’s acquisition has also reshuffled many download pages. To ensure the file is "verified" and safe,
For enterprise users, VMware provides a public archive index. Select the File: Look for the file named
| Scenario | Recommendation | |----------|----------------| | Running Windows 7/Server 2012 R2 as host | ✅ Yes – last compatible version | | Host is Windows 10/11 or modern Linux | ❌ No – use Workstation 17 Pro | | Need to open ancient VMs (2009–2015) | ✅ Yes, then convert once | | Production environment requiring updates | ❌ No – unacceptable risk | | Learning VMware CLI/internal APIs | ✅ Yes (non-networked lab only) |
This is the most critical step to ensure your installer hasn't been tampered with.