Overview VMware Workstation Pro 15.5.7 is a mature, stable desktop virtualization solution aimed at professionals, developers, and power users who need reliable local virtual machines (VMs). This maintenance release focuses on compatibility fixes and stability improvements while retaining the full-featured toolset that makes Workstation a go-to choice for local virtualization on Windows and Linux hosts.
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Stability & Updates 15.5.7 is specifically a maintenance update—targeted at resolving bugs and improving compatibility with newer host OS kernels and security patches. Users upgrading from earlier 15.x builds should see fewer crashes and better device handling. However, always back up critical VMs and snapshots before applying updates.
Performance Notes Performance is solid for development, testing, and multi-VM lab setups when the host has adequate resources (recommend at least 16 GB RAM and a multi-core CPU for multi-VM use). Disk I/O can be a bottleneck—SSD hosts significantly improve responsiveness.
Security This update includes security-related fixes; applying 15.5.7 is recommended if you rely on Workstation for testing potentially untrusted software or network scenarios. Keep guest tools and VMware tools updated inside guests for best security and performance.
Who should use it
Who might look elsewhere
Bottom line VMware Workstation Pro 15.5.7 is a dependable, well-rounded desktop hypervisor ideal for development, testing, and professional use. This maintenance release improves stability and compatibility, making it a sensible update for existing 15.x users; however, those seeking the latest VMware innovations or a lower-cost solution may want to consider newer versions or alternative hypervisors.
Suggested rating: 4/5 — Solid, stable, and feature-rich, but showing its age compared with newer major releases.
To download VMware Workstation 15.5.7 , you must navigate the Broadcom Support Portal
, as Broadcom acquired VMware and now hosts these legacy installers. Since March 2025, VMware Workstation Pro is free for all users
(personal, educational, and commercial) and no longer requires a license key. Broadcom support portal Official Download Steps Access the Portal : Go to the Broadcom Support Portal and log in or register for a free account. Navigate to Downloads "Software" and then select the "VMware Cloud Foundation" On the left sidebar, click "My Downloads" Search for Workstation : Use the search bar to look for "VMware Workstation Pro" "VMware Workstation Player" Select Version 15 Expand the list for VMware Workstation Pro Find the entry for version and click to see specific releases. in the release column. Verification : You may need to click "I agree to the Terms and Conditions"
and complete a profile verification (entering your address) before the download arrow becomes active. Broadcom support portal Version & Compatibility Details
To download VMware Workstation 15.5.7, you must now navigate the Broadcom support portal, as the legacy VMware download pages have been migrated following Broadcom's acquisition of the company. While version 15.5.7 is an older release from late 2020, it remains a critical choice for users running older 64-bit hardware or specific legacy operating systems that are not fully optimized for newer versions like Workstation 17 Pro. How to Download VMware Workstation 15.5.7
Since VMware has transitioned to a new distribution model, the official binaries are hosted within the Broadcom Support Portal. Download Vmware Workstation 15.5.7
Register a Broadcom Account: You must create a free account on the Broadcom registration page to access downloads.
Navigate to Downloads: Once logged in, go to the "My Downloads" section and search for "VMware Workstation Pro".
Select the Version: Look for the "VMware Workstation Pro 15.0" category. Within the list of releases, locate and select 15.5.7.
Download the Installer: The file for Windows is typically named VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17171714.exe.
Note on Licensing: As of March 2025, VMware Workstation Pro is available at no cost for personal, educational, and commercial use, and no license key is required for these newer use cases. Download & Install VMware Workstation Pro [25H2]
To download VMware Workstation 15.5.7, you must navigate the Broadcom Support Portal (which now hosts VMware products) or use specific community repositories for legacy installers. The Story of the Legacy Architect
The year is 2026. Leo, a veteran systems architect, stares at a screen displaying a critical error: a piece of proprietary industrial software from 2005 has finally crashed. It requires a specific Windows 7 environment that modern hypervisors struggle to emulate with perfect stability.
Leo knows exactly what he needs: VMware Workstation 15.5.7, the last major update of the version 15 series, prized for its compatibility with older host OSs like Windows 7 and early Windows 10 builds.
The Search for the ArtifactLeo starts his journey by visiting the Broadcom Support Portal. Since Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the old "My VMware" links are gone. He logs into his account, navigates to "My Downloads," and searches for the "Workstation Pro" product line. He filters for version 15, carefully selecting the 15.5.7 release—a build known as 17171714.
The Installation RitualWith the installer, VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17171714.exe, finally on his drive, Leo begins the setup. He remembers the quirks of this era: Install of VMWare WorkStation Pro 15.5.7 on Windows 11.
VMware Workstation 15.5.7 is a legacy version of VMware’s hypervisor software, primarily used for running virtual machines on older hardware or operating systems like Windows 7. Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the download process has moved to the Broadcom Support Portal. Download Options & Links
To download this specific version, you should use the official Broadcom portal to ensure file integrity.
Broadcom Support Portal: Navigate to the Workstation Pro My Downloads page. You will need to register for a Broadcom account to access older releases.
Direct Binary Links: Users on community forums like GitHub and ManageEngine often reference the original VMware CDN link for the full installer: VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17171714.exe. System Requirements
Before installing version 15.5.7, ensure your host system meets these minimum specs:
Operating System: Windows 7, 8, or 10 (64-bit); Linux 64-bit. Memory: Minimum 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended). Review: VMware Workstation Pro 15
Disk Space: At least 1 GB of free HDD space for the application.
Processor: Intel Multi-Core or AMD-V compatible CPU with Virtualization Support enabled in the BIOS/UEFI. Installation & Configuration
Preparation: Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
Execution: Right-click the downloaded .exe file and select Run as Administrator. Wizard Steps: Accept the license terms.
(Optional) Install the Enhanced Keyboard Driver for better input handling.
Decide whether to join the User Experience Improvement Program.
Finalization: Click "Install" and restart your computer once the process completes. Known Issues & Troubleshooting
Download VMware Workstation 15.5.7 only if you need legacy host OS support or are bound to a specific environment. For all other cases, get the latest VMware Workstation Pro/Player 17 from Broadcom.
Downloading and Installing VMware Workstation 15.5.7: A Comprehensive Guide
VMware Workstation is a popular virtualization software that allows users to create and manage multiple virtual machines on a single host computer. The latest version, VMware Workstation 15.5.7, offers a range of new features and improvements, making it an essential tool for developers, testers, and IT professionals. In this article, we will guide you through the process of downloading and installing VMware Workstation 15.5.7.
What is VMware Workstation 15.5.7?
VMware Workstation 15.5.7 is a powerful virtualization software that enables users to create, run, and manage multiple virtual machines on a single host computer. This version is a maintenance release that provides bug fixes, security patches, and support for the latest operating systems. With VMware Workstation 15.5.7, users can create virtual machines with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Key Features of VMware Workstation 15.5.7
VMware Workstation 15.5.7 offers a range of exciting features that make it an essential tool for virtualization. Some of the key features include:
System Requirements for VMware Workstation 15.5.7
Before downloading and installing VMware Workstation 15.5.7, ensure that your host computer meets the minimum system requirements: Stability: 15
Downloading VMware Workstation 15.5.7
To download VMware Workstation 15.5.7, follow these steps:
Installing VMware Workstation 15.5.7
Once the download is complete, follow these steps to install VMware Workstation 15.5.7:
Configuring VMware Workstation 15.5.7
After installation, you can configure VMware Workstation 15.5.7 to suit your needs:
Conclusion
VMware Workstation 15.5.7 is a powerful virtualization software that offers a range of features and improvements. By following this guide, you can easily download and install VMware Workstation 15.5.7 on your host computer. With this software, you can create and manage multiple virtual machines, making it an essential tool for developers, testers, and IT professionals.
FAQs
Download Links
VMware Workstation 15.5.7 Release Notes
Here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading VMware Workstation 15.5.7 – a stable, legacy version often used for older operating systems or specific lab environments.
Fix: You need to enable virtualization in your BIOS.
| Feature | 15.5.7 | v16/17 (Current) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Host OS | Win 7, 8.1, 10, Server 2012/2016 | Win 10/11, Server 2019/2022 | | DirectX | DirectX 10.1 | DirectX 11 | | OpenGL | OpenGL 3.3 | OpenGL 4.3 | | Vulkan Render | No | Yes | | Container Support | No (vSphere only) | Yes (Kind, OCI) | | Dark Mode | No | Yes |
VMware does not provide unauthenticated direct links, but registered users can use patterns like:
https://download3.vmware.com/software/wkst/file/VMware-workstation-full-15.5.7-17141514.exe
(Links change over time; always prefer logged-in download)