VM Fusion 7 upgrade?

[jackmillz]

Good day,  

I havent used my vmfusion 7 since covid started.  Recently I updated my mac to 10.13.6 high sierra (I only use this laptop for DJ and production work and do not need the latest osx for my software/hardware to work).  Since updating to 10.13.6, Fusion 7 no longer works, it crashes upon startup.  I simply need a virtual drive to run win 8 to run 2 simple audio/video exe programs on windows.  I do not need it for anything else.  Can any of you fine people give me any info on which version of fusion I can download that will work with 10.13.6 and whatever version that is, will my Fusion 7 license transfer?   If the license doesn't transfer, can anyone link me to where I need to go on VMWare site to get back up and running?  Please keep in mind, I need a simple version, like 7 was, and do not need the newest.  Also I am on a 2012 Macbook pro i7.  Thank you very much for your time.

[Technogeezer]

Older versions of Fusion can be downloaded from https://customerconnect.vmware.com/downloads/info/slug/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_fusion/13_0

The link directs you to Fusion 13, but older versions can be selected. 

The last version of Fusion that ran on High Sierra was Fusion 11.5.3 (11.5.5 dropped support for High Sierra).  You will need to purchase a new full license key, as your Fusion 7 key won’t work with later Fusion major versions. However, VMware doesn’t sell a license for other than Fusion 13. There is the ability to downgrade a license to a lower version, but I’m not sure how many versions back you can go. Perhaps others here have a a better idea on that. 

[jackmillz]

I just bought 13 and I enter the key provided to the black box its asking me a key for and its saying its invalid!  I just spent 160$ sigh

[ColoradoMarmot]

You'll have to contact support and downgrade the key.

[jackmillz]

Thanks, I have created a support ticket.

[jackmillz]

I received an email back from support regarding my situation.  As noted, I had v7 installed for years on my DJ/production laptop.  Recently I had to update to High Sierra OSX in order for the updated DJ hardware/software to work.  When I did that, v7 fusion broke.  V10 is the newest vm fusion that I can run with High Sierra OSX.  I read some articles and most say to purchase v13 and they can downgrade it so that v10 works.  I purchased for 160$ + v13.  I created a support ticket because the serial they gave me for v13 does not work in the black box that pops up after installing v10 from the vmware website.  I got an email overnight stating that they can not give me a serial for v10 because v13 serial is only good for v12 and v13. 

So vmware is basically telling me I spent 160+ dollars for an application that they can not generate a serial number for v10?  Why even offer it to be downloaded on their site, if a legit paid for serial number can not be given?!

Do you know how many free cracked versions of vmware software are out there in the wild?  I thought I was doing the right thing by supporting vmware like I did when I bought v7.  I do not want to install a cracked version or use some key generator, when I legit spent the money to support the software!

So whats the thing to do moving forward?  I need v10 to work, it seems that vmware wont give me a serial for v10.   I will never use v13 or v12, as I do not plan to upgrade my DJ/production laptop from High Sierra.  v13 and v12 do not work with High Sierra.  Im at a loss, Ive never had this problem with any company before...

[scott28tt]

Have you actually downgraded your licence key? https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/81665

[jackmillz]

Yes, and the only available option is from v13 to v12.

[RDPetruska]

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@jackmillz wrote:

Yes, and the only available option is from v13 to v12.

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The only available option *online* is 13 to 12.  If you need to go lower, you need to contact sales support.  Which is what we thought you did when you posted earlier that you had opened a ticket.

[jackmillz]

This is the response I got from customer support:

Hello John
 
Thank you for your response.

Please be informed I checked your account and found you have the license for Fusion 13 player.

Fusion 13 player can only be downgraded to Fusion 12 as Fusion 12 is the base version.

Please refer the KB article for more information VMware Fusion 13.x sales, licensing and compatibility FAQs
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/80561?lang=en_US

Please let us know if you have any further questions. 
 
We look forward to your response.

Regards,
Apin Varghese | Support Specialist
Support Specialist Team, VMware Inc.
Bangalore | India

[scott28tt]

That is correct for Fusion Player as there was no such thing with versions older than 12.

You would need a Fusion Pro licence to downgrade to versions older than 12.

[jackmillz]

I called first off, before I wrote this original post, and before I created a ticket, and was told to download v13.  So obviously there is a screw up somewhere.

So v13 player is not what I needed, but what the gentleman on the phone told me to purchase.  So how much is the pro version?  I guess Im going to call again.  This is quite confusing for the end user.  BTW, thank you folks for replying and trying to lend a hand, I do appreciate it greatly!

[jackmillz]

Do you folks think its possible to have vmware support let me upgrade from this v13 @ 160$ to the 200$ pro version and pay the difference since I was given the wrong info?

[scott28tt]

No idea, you'll have to ask whoever it is you've been dealing with.

[jackmillz]

Spoiler

Just got off the phone with a gentleman regarding my support ticket.  The final outcome is there is no way to purchase a serial number for v10, unless you have purchased v10 when it was supported.  Getting a full refund.  Its disappointing but I do admire the professionalism of the gentleman from vmware.  Thanks again to all who tried to help in this thread.  Take care!

[ColoradoMarmot]

@mroy is that true?  I thought they could still downgrade licenses to older versions for previous host OS's.

[Technogeezer]

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@jackmillz wrote:

 V10 is the newest vm fusion that I can run with High Sierra OSX.  

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The official host compatibility guide https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2088571 says otherwise - Fusion 11.5 is the last version (specifically versions lower than 11.5.5) are compatible with High Sierra. This is also what the Fusion 11.5 release notices say. VMware-Fusion-1150-Release-Notes.html 

Where are you finding that Fusion 10 is the newest version you can run on High Sierra?

[Technogeezer]

I think you want this to go to @Mikero ...

Michael, can you weigh in on whether a user can downgrade a Fusion 13 license to Fusion 11 (or maybe even Fusion 10) where this user needs to run?

[jackmillz]

This is the info the support people of vmware have told me.  It also states this somewhere on the site, but I do not remember what page or link.

[Technogeezer]

@jackmillz If the support people from VMware told you that Fusion 10 is the last version supporting High Sierra, I suggest you point them to their own official compatibility list and have them explain the discrepancy..