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brizztm
Contributor
Contributor

VMware Player version for Windows 7

what is the right VMware Player version for Windows 7 32bit OS? There are several versions available, as far I understand, I don't need the latest version with Windows 8 support.

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WoodyZ
Immortal
Immortal

You didn't really specify whether Windows 7 was the Host or the Guest so as a Host...

Have you bothered to read the "Host System Requirements for VMware Player" in any of the Getting Started with VMware Player documents for any of the available versions, 3 ~ 6?

Versions 4, 5 and 6 all require the host system must have a 64-bit x86 CPU that meets the following requirements.

  • LAHF/SAHF support in long mode
  • 1.3GHz or faster core speed

As well as other conditions, read the Getting Started with VMware Player document.

Version 3.x requires a standard x86-compatible or x86-64 with Intel VT IntelTM Virtualization Technology feature turned on or most AMD64 processors (except the earliest revision C Opteron processors).

As well as other conditions, read the Getting Started with VMware Player document.

As a Guest OS Windows 7 SP1 is officially supported from VMware Player version 3.1.4 onwards (according to the VMware Compatibility Guide).

As a Guest OS Windows 7 is officially supported from VMware Player version 4.0 onwards (according to the VMware Compatibility Guide).

See VMware Player Documentation for additional details.

Also have a look at: View the Guest/Host OS tab on the VMware Compatibility Guide Web site

Choose VMware Workstation and the comparable VMware Player version are WS 10 = P 6, WS 9 = P 5, WS 8 = P 4 and WS 7 = P 3.

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brizztm
Contributor
Contributor

I have Windows 7 32-bit on my laptop, and I want install VMware Player - so Windows 7 is "Host". Which version of VMware Player should I select for this? I read information on page where is links to all versions of VMware Player, but there is no much helpful info about this.

As far I understand, latest VMware Player 6 version it mainly for Windows 8.x: I dont need this features, plus I have USB 2.0 not 3.0.

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WoodyZ
Immortal
Immortal

As far I understand, latest VMware Player 6 version it mainly for Windows 8.x: I dont need this features, plus I have USB 2.0 not 3.0.

That really is not a correct understanding.  Anyway I suggest you reread my first reply as it answers your question! Smiley Wink

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brizztm
Contributor
Contributor

it does not answer.

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WoodyZ
Immortal
Immortal

Well it actually does and the fact that you cannot see that says it all! Smiley Wink

If you cannot read the "Host System Requirements for VMware Player" in any of the Getting Started with VMware Player documents and determine whether or not your system meets the requirements then maybe you shouldn't be using the software to begin with.

I quoted the most relevant information from the documentation in my first reply and as you apparently can't see it is the CPU that is more important then the OS.  The VMware Player Installer v4~v6 for Windows contains both the 32-bit and 64-bit installers so it come down to what CPU you have not necessarily what version of Windows although that does count too, however it will install in either 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 providing the CPU matches the system requirements.  VMware Player 3.x works with a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU and will install in an 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Additionally I suggest you View the Guest/Host OS tab on the VMware Compatibility Guide Web site


Choose VMware Workstation and the comparable VMware Player version are WS 10 = P 6, WS 9 = P 5, WS 8 = P 4 and WS 7 = P 3.

(Click image to enlarge.)

VMware_Compatibility_Guide_Host_OS_Windows_7_VMware_Workstation.png

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brizztm
Contributor
Contributor

Cpu Core 2 Duo: T6670 2.20GHz

I used VirtualBox for years without problems, just wanted to try VMware. But faced with problems  before even installing anything.

"View the Guest/Host OS tab on the VMware Compatibility Guide Web site"  - this page  is not intuitive, overloaded by extra information.

Compare this VirtualBox pages:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html

A far more intuitive and clear info.

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WoodyZ
Immortal
Immortal

Cpu Core 2 Duo: T6670 2.20GHz

You can use VMware Player 6.x or earlier! Smiley Wink

"View the Guest/Host OS tab on the VMware Compatibility Guide Web site"  - this page  is not intuitive, overloaded by extra information.

I find that page extremely intuitive!  BTW, One does not need to select every object on that page, e.g. selecting only Host OS and Windows 7 gives what versions of Workstation, which includes VMware Player in the install, are supported and I even gave you the comparable VMware Player version!  So how hard is it to select two parameters and see the results?

Compare this VirtualBox pages:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html

A far more intuitive and clear info.

I don't agree that it is more intuitive although I will agree it is more clear.  However that is totally irrelevant since the VMware Player documentation clearly states what the System Requirements are and one can also use the VMware Compatibility Guide matrix to obtain the answers as well.

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VeronicaK
Contributor
Contributor

WoodyZ;

I know you know the products extremely well & do want to help people, but the documentation you cite in your original post is so astonishingly confusing for someone w/limited knowledge of the VMware software that can blow away Microsoft in the very-detailed but completely useless ratio, and that's a high mark. Perhaps the OP is lazy, perhaps he's dense, or both (as you uncharitably implied). But perhaps you guys at  VMware need to re-evaluate how you present information. The whole site is designed very poorly. And the ""Host System Requirements for VMware Player" guide does leave you scratching your head after studying it and clicking options for over 30 minutes.

The fact that you think is a reasonable suggestion to ask a customer to dig through the requirements for each version available to find out basic, essential information about the product family does, if you allow me to paraphrase you, say it all: Host requirements for each version should be clearly listed in the first paragraph of the general product description before you download anything and details should  be trivial to find. If you think the "compatibility guide" fits that bill, you've been doing this way too long. Please hire some fresh blood that can look at the guides with new eyes and explain to you in how many different ways it doesn't.

Lastly, a passive aggressive "friendly wink" after insulting a customer who politely disagrees with you does not make it OK. Still very poor manners. Smiley Wink


To be fair, even when deeply annoyed (in my view, not justifiably), you did put the additional time and effort to clarify; and that is considerably better than just ignoring the post. For what is worth, the thread is helpful.

Message was edited by: VeronicaK

Austhinker
Contributor
Contributor

VeronikaK,

Nice to see someone sticking up for relative newbies. Following this thread I was thinking Brizztm was a bit thick, but realize I was being fooled by my level of general PC experience.

1) I'm curious as to what makes you apparently think Woodyz is a VMware employee. I could find nothing in his profile or messages to indicate that he is other than a very experienced/knowledgeable and helpful VMware user, albeit perhaps a bit out of touch with what it's like to be a newbie.

2) Whilst I agree with you about "new blood", I'd like to clarify that "new blood" is needed to augment the "old blood" of experts like Woody, not to replace them. The Idea is to give the "experts"  a newbie's perspective on the documentation/help, so what they need is someone both Intelligent and enough of a newbie to not already know how exactly to navigate the documentation. Someone like yourself, for example, who is intelligent enough that the experts can't just dismiss the criticisms as being due to a lack of intelligence. Unfortunately it is all too easy for us geniuses to fall into the trap of blaming all misunderstandings with "mere mortals" on their lack of intelligence Smiley Wink.

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