topic Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation in VMware Fusion Discussions

Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

_RJ-45_ — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:53:27 GMT

Hello everybody.

I've encountered a problem with activation my non-commercial license for Fusion 12.1.2. I pressed "Get a Free License Key" in the window that appeared first and VMware site opened where I passed registration. When I'm trying to copy activation key from the VMware site into Fusion, it says that key is invalid. I assume it is because of that issued key is valid only for Fusion 13.0.0. So where could I find free non-commercial key for 12.1.2 version? I can't use version 13.0.0 because I have macOS 10.15.7 and can't upgrade.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

Brianguan — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 02:11:06 GMT

same issue here, hopefully we can get an answer soon.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

scott28tt — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 11:06:14 GMT

I understand that the latest versions of Fusion 12.x will accept a Fusion 13 key.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

Technogeezer — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:13:55 GMT

@scott28tt I had heard that as well, but there’s an indication that the posters are running Catalina. The latest Fusion 12 version is 12.2.5, but that isn’t supported on Catalina.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

RoyP1 — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:54:06 GMT

Hi –

I'm in the same situation: on Big Sur/can't upgrade. I just downloaded Fusion 12.2.5, got a personal use key for 13 and was able to install and license Fusion using that license key. Don't know if there will be some 'gotcha' down the road.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

ColoradoMarmot — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:51:24 GMT

If you're activated, you'll be fine. I would expect a future version to drop support for Big Sur. That could be a .x release of 13 like in the past, but most likely 14.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

ekyle1989 — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:29:18 GMT

Same. Using Mac Pro 5,1, thus stuck on Catalina. Fusion 13 key is not valid.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

ekyle1989 — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 12:33:50 GMT

Heya, just found a key on github that works.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

scott28tt — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:32:51 GMT

Posting a licence key on a vendor's own forum isn't a bright move - reported to moderators.

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

ColoradoMarmot — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 20:06:30 GMT

So you posted that you're using an illegal pirated license to the vendor's forum?

Why not do the legal thing and buy one and downgrade it?

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

Technogeezer — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 20:34:36 GMT

@ColoradoMarmot wrote:
So you posted that you're using an illegal pirated license to the vendor's forum?
Why not do the legal thing and buy one and downgrade it?

That would involve paying for the license, which kind of throws a monkey wrench into the idea of a free personal use license.

I get it. VMware stops selling new licenses for older versions of their product when a new version is released. They don't downgrade free personal use licenses. They dropped support for Catalina in 12.1, which never was updated to support the use of Fusion 13 keys like 12.2 did. They never retrofitted Fusion 12.1 to use Fusion 13 keys like they did Fusion 12.2.

Not saying that I like the situation either, but can explain it.

What I don't get is what would be the problem with VMware continuing to offer a Fusion 12 personal use license for as long as they allow downgrading a paid Fusion 13 license to Fusion 12?

Re: Fusion 12.1.2 Activation

ColoradoMarmot — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:14:16 GMT

No disagreement that still generating F12 licenses would be nice, but unfortunately they've chosen to not do that. There is a legal way to get a license. It's paid, but it's legal.

The dropping catalina support in a minor version was unfortunate...I think it broke a lot of the other basic processes.