How to Install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04

Sumit Patel -

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Introduction

Before we begin talking about how to install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04, let's briefly understand – What is VMware Workstation Player?

VMware Workstation Player is a powerful virtualization software that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single computer. It provides a secure and isolated environment for testing new software, running legacy applications, or experimenting with different configurations.

With its user-friendly interface and robust features, VMware Workstation Player is an ideal choice for students, developers, and IT professionals seeking a flexible and efficient virtualization solution.

In this tutorial, we will show how to install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04. We will also address a few FAQs on how to install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 20.04.

Advantages of VMware Workstation Player

  1. Multi-OS Support: VMware Workstation Player enables running multiple operating systems simultaneously, providing a versatile platform for testing and development.
  2. Secure Sandbox: It offers an isolated environment to safely test new software, minimizing risks to the host system.
  3. Easy Sharing: Users can share virtual machines effortlessly, facilitating collaboration and streamlining workflows.
  4. Compatibility: VMware Workstation Player supports a wide range of operating systems and works seamlessly with popular software and tools.
  5. User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive interface makes it easy for users, including students, developers, and IT professionals, to navigate and utilize its features effectively.

Prerequisites to Install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04

Your system has to comply with the following specifications for VMware Player to be installed and run correctly:

  • 64-bit CPU of 1.3GHz or higher, introduced in 2011 or later
  • Minimum RAM requirements are 2 GB; 4 GB or higher is recommended.

Installing VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu

Installing the build requirements comes first. Run the following commands after opening your terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-generic

On the VMware downloads website, you may get the most recent version of the VMware Workstation Player. Download the installation package using wget:

wget --user-agent="Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:60.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/60.0" https://www.vmware.com/go/getplayer-linux

The command will download the most recent version of VMware Player, which is version 16.1.0 as of the time of writing this post.

Make the installation file executable when the download is finished:

chmod +x getplayer-linux

Run the installer and follow the on-screen directions to complete the installation, which is quite simple to do:

sudo ./getplayer-linux --required --eulas-agreed

When using the --required option, the installation will only show the necessary questions.

The installation can take a while. You will be given updates as the installation progresses.

Output

Extracting VMware Installer...done.
Installing VMware Player 17.0.2
    Configuring...
[######################################################################] 100%
Installation was successful.

At this point, your Ubuntu machine has the VMware Workstation Player installed.

Open the Activities search field, enter "VMware Workstation Player," and then click the icon to start the Player.

The first time you run the program, a popup similar to the one below will ask you whether you want to use VMware Workstation Player for free, private, or non-commercial use.

After making your choice, press the OK button and the Player will launch.

Uninstalling VMware Player

Use the following command to remove VMware Player if you need to for any reason:

sudo /usr/bin/vmware-installer -u vmware-player

If you wish to preserve the configuration files, you will be prompted:

Output

All configuration information is about to be removed. Do you wish to
keep your configuration files? You can also input 'quit' or 'q' to
cancel uninstallation. [yes]:

VMware Player will be deleted from your computer when you press "Enter":

Output

Uninstalling VMware Installer 3.0.0
    Deconfiguring...
[######################################################################] 100%
Uninstallation was successful.

FAQs to Install VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04

What are the system requirements for installing VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04?

The minimum system requirements for installing VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04 include a compatible 64-bit processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and ample disk space for virtual machines.

Can I run Windows virtual machines on VMware Workstation Player installed on Ubuntu 22.04?

Yes, VMware Workstation Player supports running various operating systems as virtual machines, including Windows. You can create and run Windows virtual machines on Ubuntu 22.04.

Is internet connectivity required during the installation of VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04?

Yes, an internet connection is required to download the installation package for VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04.

Can I upgrade VMware Workstation Player to newer versions on Ubuntu 22.04?

Yes, you can upgrade VMware Workstation Player to newer versions on Ubuntu 22.04. It is recommended to uninstall the previous version before installing the newer one.

Can I install VMware Tools on Ubuntu 22.04 running on VMware Workstation Player?

Yes, VMware Tools can be installed on Ubuntu 22.04 virtual machines running on VMware Workstation Player. It provides enhanced performance and additional features.

Where can I find further assistance or support for installing VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04?

You can refer to the official VMware documentation, community forums, or seek support from VMware's customer service for any further assistance or troubleshooting regarding the installation of VMware Workstation Player on Ubuntu 22.04.

Conclusion

You now know how to set up VMware Workstation Player on an Ubuntu computer. Now that the application choices have been explored, you may build your own virtual machine.

If you have any queries, please leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to respond to them.