Upgrade from OS Catalina to Monterey with Fusion 12.1.2

[javinto]

I'm running OS Catalina with Fusion 12.1.2 hosting a Windows 10 VM.

On OS Monterey I need an upgrade to Fusion 12.2.x which is available from OS Big Sur.

Should I first upgrade to Big Sur? Or can I upgrade directly to Monterey?

I'm asking this because with the update to Big Sur you could NOT upgrade withouth having updated to Fusion 12 first! As I found out afterwards.... and needed to restore my back-up to Catalina.

[Technogeezer]

I would want all traces of a Fusion version that's using kernel extensions (which is 12.1.2 on Catalina) gone from my Mac before updating it to a version that does not use kernel extensions.

First, uninstall Fusion 12.1.2 using the procedure in KB article https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1017838 to remove the application and related auxiliary files;  do not simply drag the Fusion application to the trash.  Reboot after performing the procedure.

Have your Fusion license key handy because the process in the KB removes the license.

Now upgrade macOS to Monterey, then install Fusion 12.2.x.