VMware, a company established in 1998, has navigated through significant changes over the years. Originally purchased by EMC in 2004, VMware went through ups and downs, especially when Dell took over EMC in 2016, leading to considerable reshuffling within the company and its development team. As of 2021, VMware and Dell officially parted ways, marking another pivotal point in VMware’s journey.
Fast forward to the end of 2023, VMware found itself under a new owner, Broadcom, with a hefty acquisition of $69 billion. In a surprising and user-friendly turn of events, VMware announced this spring that both VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion would be free for personal use. Taking another bold step, VMware has now extended this offer to include educational and commercial use as well.
Although the Pro versions of Workstation and Fusion are no longer available for purchase, existing users will continue to enjoy their benefits free of charge. However, commercial users who don’t have a contract will need to adjust to a different support environment. VMware has withdrawn direct support for these users, directing them instead to utilize product documentation, knowledge bases, and online user communities for assistance.
Fortunately, VMware has assured users that despite these changes, Workstation and Fusion are not being abandoned. Both platforms will continue to evolve with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes, ensuring they remain relevant and useful tools for users worldwide.
For those interested in deepening their understanding of VMware’s offerings, Peter von Oven’s “Learning VMware Workstation for Windows: Implementing and Managing VMware’s Desktop Hypervisor Solution” is available in various formats. While the Kindle version is priced at $39.99, a more economical rental option is available at $14.22. The paperback edition is being offered at a discounted rate of $43.40, down from its original price of $54.99.
These moves by VMware highlight its commitment to making powerful virtualization tools accessible to a wider audience, fostering innovation and creativity in both educational and commercial spheres. Whether you’re a longtime VMware user or just getting started, this evolution presents a significant opportunity to leverage robust virtualization technology without the barrier of cost.
