using windows 10.0.19041.388 all latest patches installed.
If I launch from the desktop "VMware Workstation Pro" shortcut, or from direct access of the "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware.exe"
absolutely nothing seems to happen, and no logs can be found with any errors, no splash screens. nothing!
however, if I rename the file vmware.exe to something else for example v.exe, or change the path of the executable and leaved named as vmware.exe
then it starts the gui at least. I think a similar problem exists on some of the other executables for vmware, so it's not the whole solution
I don't see anything in local security policy, uac, or adk/ compatibility toolkit that would indicate a problem (the compatibility tookit entries do exist but I disabled)
Any ideas how to deduce what windows "feature" is enabled to block this ?
This is somewhat more a windows question than VMware, but I've now found a clue to this so sharing and hope it helps someone also