VMware Player

VMware Player is the free software product, on the basis of the VMware Workstation virtual machine, but with limited functionality, intended for start of images of the virtual machines created in other products of VMware and also in Microsoft VirtualPC and Symantec LiveState Recovery. Starting with version 3.0 VMware Player allows to create images of virtual machines also. Restriction of functionality concerns generally the functions intended for IT specialists and software developers now.

VMware Player 4.0

In October, 2011 the VMware company announced release of the new version of the product VMware Player 4.0. This free tool from the leading supplier of technologies of virtualization gives an opportunity of simultaneous start of several operating systems on one computer.

The application equipped with the simple and clear user interface will allow everyone to test the latest version of Windows or fresh Linux- a distribution kit and also will simplify creation of the isolated virtual machines for safe testing of new software or travel on a global network. One more widespread scenario of application VMware Player is start of the virtual copy of the old PC on a new hardware platform, thus the user can leave without regrets an obsolete equipment. The Easy Install function will extremely simplify creation of virtual machines under control of the latest 32-and 64-bit versions Windows and Linux, and the general list of the supported guest OS includes more than 200 names among which Windows 7, Ubuntu 9.04 and many others.

The most noticeable improvements implemented in the version of VMware Player 4.0 concern expanded support of the virtual equipment. For example, users of Linux systems with a graphic cover of Unity and also owners of several monitors will appreciate more perfect technologies of displaying data on the display. The clients starting applications on notebooks will be able to use the connected projector as the additional virtual display. The working space provided to users of the virtual machine can be also distributed between several monitors. By the way, it is worth mentioning that VMware Player is also the easiest way of ensuring support of effects of Aero in interfaces of the Windows Vista operating systems, 7 and 8, started in a virtual environment.

The list of improvements includes a possibility of emulation of the audiocodec of HD Audio with support of a surround sound of 7.1 Surround Sound for guest Windows systems. Besides, the new version of the application of VMware Player will provide the increased performance of guest OS due to providing each of them to 64 GB of RAM (with enough resources per host system).

The new virtual xHCI USB controller will allow users of Linux distribution kits based on a core 2.6.35 or more late versions (for example, Ubuntu 10.10) to estimate support of USB interface 3.0 on the virtual machine. Unfortunately, to use this function in Windows virtual machines it will not turn out on an absence reason of drivers yet. Users of virtual machines will also get access to Bluetooth devices, connected to a host system.

2014

VMware Player 7 Pro

On October 1, 2014 the VMware company announced updating of the version of VMware Player 7 Pro.

New in VMware Player 7 Pro

• Enhanced Operating System Compatibility – VMware Player 7 Pro is started and works at all full-fledged releases Windows, including Windows 8. Outdated OS are supported: Windows XP and Windows 7.

Greater Hardware Compatibility – By software it is optimized for screens of new notebooks, tablets working with high resolution.

• Updated VMware Compatibility – a product will allow to start the protected VM created with the help VMware Workstation 11 or VMware Fusion 7 Pro. The solution has the means of backward compatibility for outdated OS helping to protect virtual machines funds of enciphering, the password for the operating session, prohibition of access to USB and isolation to honey a host and guest OS.

Host and its OS should be 64-bit (start of 32-bit VM does not create problems).

VMware Player 7 Pro will be available in December, 2014 for $149.99. Upgrade with VMware Player 6 Plus on VMware Player 7 Pro will cost $79.99.

Final version of VMware Player 7 Pro

On December 2, 2014 it became known of release by VMware company of the final version of the updated desktop VMware Player 7 Pro platform.

In the final version product completely 64-bit. Its work will require the corresponding processor and the 64-bit operating system (guest OS can be and 32-and 64-bit).

Loading of VMware Player 7 is available according to the link.