CNET Editors' review
A virtual machine can be a very handy tool to have, as it lets users run multiple operating systems on one computer. Do you have to run Windows for work but prefer Linux for pleasure? Not a problem! A virtual machine can give you the best of both worlds, and VMware Player is one very easy way to set it up.
The program is plain and intuitive, with a wizard design that walks you through each step of the virtual machine creation process. The opening menu lets you select whether you want to create a new virtual machine, open an existing virtual machine, upgrade to VMware Workstation, or view the program's HTML Help file. We chose to create a new virtual machine, and the program asked us to choose whether we were using an installation disk, using a disk image, or installing the operating system later. You can select whether you're installing Windows, Linux, Novell NetWare, Sun Solaris, or another operating system, and choose the correct version from a drop-down menu. You are then asked to choose a name and location for the virtual machine and to set its maximum size. Click Finish and the program goes to work creating your virtual machine. VMware Player is very easy to use, even for novices, and the HTML Help file is well-written and thorough. The program may not be as full-featured as some other virtual machine applications, but it should meet the needs of most users, especially those who don't want to have to purchase software.
VMware Player installs and uninstalls without issues. We recommend this program.
Publisher's Description
From VMware:
VMware Player enables PC users to easily run any virtual machine on a Windows or Linux PC. VMware Player runs virtual machines created by VMware Workstation, GSX Server, or ESX Server, and also supports Microsoft virtual machines and Symantec LiveState Recovery disk formats.
What's new in this version: Version 4.0.4 fixed unity mode would exit if the title bar of an application contained certain non UTF-8 encoded extended ASCII characters and interface sometimes became unresponsive when minimized from full-screen mode if the suggestion balloon was being displayed.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 19 votes
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Current version:
5.0 starsout of 2 votes
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My rating:
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"Got Problems With Older Software"
Version: VMware Player 4.0.4
Pros
Ease of setup, setting up of and installing a new virtual PC partition from your old operating system (Windows XP Pro for me) into Window 8 was truly unbelievably easy.
Cons
None found
Summary
If you are having problems after updating (from older versions of windows) and your perfectly good software does not work in windows 7 or 8. I suggest you give it a try. check out my video:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/svvTLa-Syso
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/svvTLa-Syso?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Updated on Mar 13, 2013
sorry, last link bad -
"A techie`s dream!"
Version: VMware Player 4.0.4
Pros
Great program
Cons
None that I know of
Summary
Use when working on a way to fix issues.
Results 1-2 of 2
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