After upgrading to 22H2 - Windows Encryption Unknown

[okynnor]

I just did an upgrade of Fusion for Mac Tech Preview to the September/2023 release.  After upgrading, it asks me for the password in order to open Windows 11 Arm.  I don't remember that I had to take note of a password in order to access an encryption.  Is there a way to recover this? 

[Technogeezer]

As far as I can tell, there is no "September 2023" release of the Tech Preview. The last 2023 TP release was in July 2023 and was build e.x,p 22068932. Could you open "About VMware Fusion" and check the build?

Also, in order to support a TPM device for Windows 11 ARM (which is a Windows 11 requirement)  the VM must be encrypted. All versions of Fusion since the 22H2 Tech preview released last year create a VM for Windows 11 ARM by default with the TPM device installed and the VM encrypted.

Fusion will offer to store the VM's password in the login Keychain of the user that created the VM. If you open the macOS Keychain Access app, you may be able to find the password there.

[okynnor]

Thanks for your reply. 

Indeed, the version that I was running was 22068932. That was the July 2023 release.  

HOWEVER, the version that I downloaded and the one which I am reporting about can be found here. The currently posted VMware Fusion Technology Preview II 22H2 has two noticeable differences to the eye:

1. Once installed has a new logo

2. It won't allow the opening of a Windows 11 ARM VM created by the "older" player version of 22068932 by way of me entering the MacOS Keychain password, which would suggest a separation of versioning stored in the Keychain -- just my logic. 

[palter]

Version 22068932 is the current 2023 technology preview.

Fusion Technology Preview II 22H2 is last year's technology preview. You shouldn't use it.

[Technogeezer]

The 2H22 Tech preview pre-dates Fusion 13 and the (July) 2023 Tech Preview version you had installed. As @palter stated, it became obsolete immediately after Fusion 13 was released last year. And it is not an “upgrade” to either Fusion 13 or the 2023 Tech Preview build you were using; it’s a downgrade.  

The 2023 Tech Preview you had installed changed the algorithm for encrypted virtual machines and introduced a new virtual hardware version. A virtual machine that uses the new encryption or has a virtual hardware version of 21 can’t be opened with any other Fusion version. Reinstall the (July) 2023 Tech Preview build you had before you erroneously “upgraded” and all will be fine  

Those virtual:machines will be able to be opened by the next “official” version of Fusion, when VMware releases it later this year..(and no, they haven’t said when).