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Updating VMware Workstation 17 to 25H2

Posted on November 21, 2025 Updated on December 2, 2025

Last October 2025 VMware changed the naming convention of their Workstation product. They moved from traditional version numbers (e.g., Workstation 17.6.x) and are adopting a new naming format that reflects the year (2025) and the half of the year (H2). This provides a more consistent naming across releases and helps to ensures version clarity. With the name change of VMware Workstation from 17 to 25H2 so has the update process. In this blog I cover some of those changes and the steps I took to update my system.

Why can’t I download updates via Workstation 17 Updater?

The product update feature is no longer available in VMware Workstation 17, Player, Fusion. See Article ID: 395172 Moving forward, updates will need to be manually downloaded from the Broadcom Support Portal.  Once the appropriate product update is downloaded, it can be manually installed.

Where can I download the Update?

Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the following articles for the respective products: Download Desktop Hypervisor (Workstation and Fusion) Products

What are the requirements to install Workstation 25H2?

See Host System Requirements for Workstation Pro

What are the steps to upgrade to Workstation 25H2?

Once you have downloaded the product, open it, and then click next on this screen.

Accept the EULA.

Click next on the ‘Compatible Setup’

NOTE: If you have having issues with Hyper-V there is a good chance your Windows OS is not setup properly. See my guide that can help resolve this.

Select the Install directory

Check or Un-Check Product updates and Join CEIP.

Choose where you want your shortcuts.

Choose upgrade to begin the installation.

Note: This step will vary if you are doing a fresh install of Workstation.

Allow it to complete its install.

Click Finish.

After opening Workstation 25H2 here is the new ‘About’ screen. The about screen is found under Help > About VMware Workstation