Some people upload old versions to Internet Archive. These are not signed by VMware and should be treated as untrusted.
Gists like this one maintain a list of direct download links for various versions, including 17.5.2 and 17.6.
| Risk Vector | Severity | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Critical | Unofficial binaries may contain backdoors allowing remote access to the host machine. | | Malware | High | Installers are effective wrappers for adware or spyware. | | Lack of Updates | Medium | GitHub binaries are static; they do not receive official security patches via the update mechanism. | | Stability | Medium | Modified binaries may cause hypervisor instability, leading to data corruption in VMs. | vmware workstation 17 download github
Developers often use GitHub to share scripts that simplify the installation or bypass the need for a Broadcom account for Linux users.
To download VMware Workstation 17, it is important to note that VMware Workstation Pro is now , including commercial and personal use, as of version 17.6.2. While several repositories on GitHub provide installation guides, scripts, and alternative download links, official downloads have moved to the Broadcom Support Portal . Official Download Method (Recommended) Some people upload old versions to Internet Archive
| Risk | Explanation | |------|-------------| | | Attackers hide ransomware, info stealers, or miners inside “cracked” installers. | | Outdated versions | Missing critical security patches. | | Legal liability | Violating VMware’s EULA can get your business sued. | | No SHA256 verification | You can’t trust the binary hasn’t been tampered with. |
So why are people searching for it? Three common reasons: | Risk Vector | Severity | Description |
Accept the terms and click the cloud download icon. GitHub Resources & Scripts