VMware Fusion and Workstation are Free Now – Moving a Virtual Machine from Mac to PC is Easy

VMware’s decision to make VMware Workstation and VMWare Fusion free for all users  has opened up new possibilities for developers, IT professionals, and businesses. This move simplifies virtualisation, allowing users to run and manage virtual machines (VMs) on Windows and Linux without additional costs. One of the biggest advantages is the ease of moving virtual machines between different platforms, particularly from macOS (using VMware Fusion) to a Windows or Linux PC running VMware Workstation.

TL:DR – Moving virtual machines in VMware virtual machine format is easier than ever between Intel based Mac; computers, Windows PC's and Linux desktops.

For professionals transitioning from Intel ased Mac computers or those simply looking to migrate a VM between devices, the process is now more accessible than ever. No licencing is required. You just have to figure out how to find the products on the website at Broadcom (the new owners of VMware). This guide walks through the steps required to ensure a smooth transition from a Mac to a PC.

Preparing for the Migration

Before initiating the transfer, it’s crucial to ensure that the VM is compatible across both VMware Fusion and VMware Workstation. While VMware maintains broad compatibility, certain macOS-specific settings in Fusion may require adjustment.

1. Check the Virtual Machine’s Compatibility Settings – VMware Fusion allows different hardware compatibility profiles. Ensure that the VM is configured for a version compatible with VMware Workstation.
2. Update VMware Tools – Before exporting, update VMware Tools inside the guest OS. This ensures drivers and services are up to date, reducing potential post-migration issues.
3. Backup the VM – Though rare, migration issues can corrupt VM files. Keeping a backup ensures you can restore if needed.

Exporting the Virtual Machine from VMware Fusion

There are two primary ways to transfer a virtual machine from macOS: exporting it as an Open Virtualisation Format (OVF) file or manually copying the VM files.

Using OVF/OVA Export

• Open VMware Fusion and select the VM to migrate.
• Go to File > Export to OVF.
• Choose a destination folder and wait for the export process to complete.
• Copy the OVF and accompanying files to an external drive or network share for transfer to the PC. This method ensures compatibility but may not retain all settings, such as snapshots.

Manually Copying VM Files

An alternative is directly copying the VM’s .vmwarevm package:

• Locate the VM file (.vmwarevm bundle) in macOS (~/Documents/Virtual Machines/).
• Right-click and select Show Package Contents. Copy the .vmdk (virtual disk) and .vmx (configuration) files to an external drive. This method retains more settings but may require manual reconfiguration in VMware Workstation.

Importing the Virtual Machine into VMware Workstation

Once the files are transferred to the PC, the VM must be imported into VMware Workstation.

Importing an OVF/OVA File

• Open VMware Workstation and go to File > Open.
• Select the .ovf or .ova file.
• Follow the import wizard, making adjustments as needed.
• Verify the VM settings before powering it on.  

Manually Adding a VM

If using copied VM files instead of OVF:

• Open VMware Workstation and click Open a Virtual Machine.
• Navigate to the copied .vmx file and select it.
• If prompted, choose I Moved It rather than I Copied It to retain settings.
• Adjust the VM settings, such as network configuration and resource allocation.

Post-Migration Considerations

After importing the VM, several steps may be necessary to ensure smooth operation.

1. Networking Adjustments – VMware Fusion and Workstation handle virtual networking differently. Reconfigure network adapters if required, ensuring connectivity works as expected.
2. Licensing and Software Reactivation – Some operating systems and applications may require reactivation due to hardware changes. Ensure that licensing constraints are addressed.
3. Performance Tuning – Optimise CPU, RAM, and disk allocation based on the host machine’s specifications. Consider enabling performance features such as SSD trim support if applicable.

Conclusion

With VMware Workstation now free, moving virtual machines between macOS and Windows and Linux is more accessible than ever. The process of exporting, transferring, and importing a VM is straightforward, though attention to compatibility and settings is important to ensures a reliable result.

For IT professionals and developers, the ability to run and test VMs across platforms without additional cost is a game-changer. By leveraging VMware’s free offerings, cross-platform virtualisation has never been easier.