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robe244
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VMWare Workstation version 14.1.8 quit working when windows 10 upgraded

VMWare Workstation version 14.1.8 quit working after new windows 10 update was installed.  windows 10 64bit with Intel core 7 processor.  Windows does not recognize software.  Says that it is not a windows program.

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a_p_
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The latest Windows 10 releases are only supported with v15.5.x.

However, if you don't want/can't purchase an upgrade, you may read my reply at Re: VMWare Can't run on Windows every update

André

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a_p_
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The latest Windows 10 releases are only supported with v15.5.x.

However, if you don't want/can't purchase an upgrade, you may read my reply at Re: VMWare Can't run on Windows every update

André

wila
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André,

They just released Workstation 14.1.8 _yesterday_ to add support for current Windows 10.

Yeah I know, never seen a new release on a retired product before! (EOL is 2019/03/26)

Curious.. seems the download was pulled? Not seeing it anymore.

TS: I would suggest to try and reinstall Workstation.

edit: release notes: VMware Workstation 14.1.8 Pro Release Notes

quote:

Resolved Issues

  • Unable to run VMware Workstation Pro / Player 14.x after updates on Windows 10 1903

Download link is here: Download VMware Workstation 14.1.8 Pro

--

Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
xaneo
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What worked for me was renaming the vmware.exe file. I know it's not a real solution, but a workaround.

So if you want, head to C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\ and rename the vmware.exe to something like myvmware.exe.

If you want and use the player also (like I do) rename the vmplayer.exe to something like myvmplayer.exe.

Start the VMware Workstation from within the directory and pin the newly started instance to the taskbar, if you so desire.

Note: this workaround isn't mine, I found it here under the response by user 'wila':

Re: VMware Workstation Pro can't run on Windows

wila
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Hi,

I'm pretty sure that user "wila" got it from somewhere too... :smileyblush: (sorry forgot to credit the post where I read about this trick, don't remember what post it was either)

It was my understanding that Workstation 14.1.8 would no longer be blocked?

I haven't looked much into how Microsoft decides to block an application from running. Most likely they do depend on testing against version numbers as it is so easy to do.

If Microsoft decides flat out block every Workstation 14.1 version then that's pretty sad.

Personally I can't even come up with a reason for Microsoft to block VMware Workstation 14, AFAIK everything works just fine.

The only theory I have is of trying to get people to use Hyper-V instead... targeting people who didn't upgrade because of financial reasons would be more viable to switch.

This however would be a very dark pattern and I am just hoping that it isn't the reason.

--

Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
yanw
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Hi, What's your Win10 build number and the installed KB number?  Ideally Win10 should not block 14.1.8 with latest update.

xaneo
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I did an in-place W10 upgrade from 18.03 to 19.09. Ran it straight from the ISO. After that the VMware didn't launch. I uninstalled it completely (including registry with leftover dirs cleanup), downloaded and installed 14.1.8, the problem still persisted. Got pissed, renamed the files that was it.

I noticed the 19.09 version of W10 launches programs with some sort of UAC virtualization. I haven't delved deep into it, but maybe that's the problem... Or, something with permissions... Why would just renaming the application allow it to run?

Zongmin
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Hi user "wila"(^__^)  and all,

Yes, this is the first time we released a update version for a retired product. We have been listening to customers about problems/challenges using VMware Workstation/Player. VMware Workstation 15.0 and earlier being blocked by Windows 1903 obviously is one of the most complained issued in community.

As statements(Statement for Workstation 15.0 and earlier being blocked by Microsoft KBs ) we have published in community weeks ago, we have reported the issue to Microsoft and working with Microsoft for a solution. Workstation 14.1.8 was released last week along with Microsoft releasing new updates, so hopefully lots of customers won't have problem any more. Refer details to VMware KB -  VMware Knowledge Base.

We treasure the trust from our users, and we always try our best to make sure VMware Workstation to be the most reliable tool you can rely on everyday.

Thanks,

VMware Workstation Team

gbohn
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For what it's worth, I just updated from Workstation 14.1.7 / Windows 1809 to Workstation 14.1.8 / Windows 1903 and things seem to be working (at least on my system).

I Updated Workstation first, then Windows (to only 1903). Windows did not block the update, or prevent Workstation from launching.

Before trying to launch Workstation, I did various 'check for updates'. (But, I have set to wait 14 days for Quality updates and 120 days for feature updates. So I didn't get the very latest updates).

robe244
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This download fixed my problem with the windows 10 upgrade.  Thanks 

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JohandeKlerk
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Hi,

I have 14.1.8 installed and running on Windows 10 1809.

Now my Windows keeps on nagging me to update to 1909.

Are any of you running 14.1.8 with the latest Windows 10 1909 without any problems?

Any snags or things not working that I should know of before updating to 1909?

Thanks in advance

Johan de Klerk

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gbohn
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As an aside, you might be able to delay the nagging by going to Windows Setting/ Update & Security/ Advanced Options and Set the 'Feature Update' deferral to max. (365 days ?).

Windows keeps changing how this stuff works, but I was at 14.1.7 on 1809 and setting to this to a large value was keeping 1903 at bay... (It was the current version at the time). I then went to 14.1.8 on 1903 (by setting a small value).

Also, I would think that setting the right value here (large enough to avoid 1909 but small enough to allow 1903)  would allow you to move to 1903 (instead of 1909) if you wanted to do that.

But I don't know for sure since I'm currently on 1903 (and holding off 1909 this way).

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JohandeKlerk
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Hi,

Just some feedback.

I thought today that I will take the plunge and see if 14.1.8 will work with 1909.

I had 14.1.8 already installed.

Check for updates and installed 1909 without any problems.

Restarted and I fired up my different VM's without any problem so far.

I did not change any settings in Windows or VMWare WorkStation Pro.

Regards

Johan de Klerk

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