VMware Workstation & Fusion 25H2: Embracing Calendar Versioning and New Features

We’re excited to announce VMware Workstation 25H2 and VMware Fusion 25H2, the latest updates to our desktop hypervisors. These releases introduce a new versioning model, deliver new features, and expand support for the latest operating systems and hardware — all designed to make virtualization more seamless, powerful, and up-to-date.

A Clearer Versioning Model

Staying current with your tools should be simple. With calendar versioning, it’s now easier to understand when your release was published and plan upgrades accordingly.

We’re moving away from traditional version numbers (e.g., Workstation 17.6.x, Fusion 13.6.x) and adopting a new naming format — 25H2 — that reflects the year (2025) and the half of the year (H2). This provides consistency across releases and ensures clarity for customers.

Key New Features

The 25H2 release brings new tools and capabilities that simplify automation, enhance compatibility, and make day-to-day tasks faster and more reliable.

• dictTool (Workstation & Fusion)
  A new command-line utility that allows customers to inspect and edit VMware configuration files (.vmx, preferences). This provides more flexibility and automation for advanced users — a capability that was highly requested by our community.
• USB 3.2 Support (Workstation & Fusion)
  Faster data transfers and improved compatibility with modern USB devices.
• Hardware Version 22 (Workstation & Fusion)
  Ensures virtual machines (VMs) take advantage of the latest hardware capabilities for improved performance and compatibility.
• Hyper-V/WHP Detection (Workstation only)
  Helps to identify the VM’s running mode in Workstation by clearly showing Hyper-V/WHP status.

Expanded CPU and OS Support

Running the latest workloads and platforms is critical for today’s users. Workstation and Fusion 25H2 expand CPU, host, and guest OS compatibility so you can confidently virtualize on the newest technologies.

• New CPU Support (Workstation): Intel Lunar Lake, Arrow Lake, and Meteor Lake.
• New Guest Operating Systems:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
  • Fedora Linux 42
  • openSUSE Leap 16.0 (RC)
  • SUSE Linux 16 (Beta)
  • Debian 13
  • Oracle Linux 10
  • VMware ESX 9.0 (Workstation: general, Fusion: Intel systems only)
  • macOS Tahoe (Fusion: Intel systems only)
• New Host Operating Systems:
  • Workstation: RHEL 10, Fedora Linux 42, openSUSE Leap 16.0 (RC), SUSE Linux 16 (Beta), Debian 13
  • Fusion: macOS Tahoe (Intel and Apple Silicon)

Bug Fixes and Improvements

25H2 also delivers important refinements that make the platforms more stable, secure, and user-friendly. These fixes address common customer pain points across both Workstation and Fusion.

• Security fixes across both Workstation and Fusion.
• Accessibility enhancements to improve usability.
• Workstation-specific fixes:
  • Resolved UI issues on Windows with resizing and window controls.
  • Optimized Linux support bundles for easier handling.
  • Reduced excessive logging by the VMware Authorization Service (vmauthd)  in Windows Event Viewer.
  • Option to discard VM suspend states.
  • Fixed Linux full-screen crash and Intel GPU 3D acceleration issues.
• Fusion-specific fixes:
  • Resolved dead key input issues.
  • Fixed USB “Plug in Action” settings persistence.

Customer Questions & Support

We’ve also been focused on making it easier for customers to get answers and clarity. Building on earlier updates like VMware Fusion and Workstation Going Free + New Resources, we’ve expanded our Customer FAQ.

• The FAQ is now available here: VMware Desktop Hypervisor FAQs.
• It covers the most common questions raised in VMware Communities and through direct engagement.
• We’ll continue to update this resource regularly as new feedback and questions emerge.
• This ensures customers have a single, reliable place to find up-to-date answers and guidance.

Global Availability

Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro 25H2 are available in multiple languages, making it easier for customers worldwide to use the products in their preferred language

• English
• French
• Japanese
• Spanish

Looking Ahead

With calendar versioning, new features like dictTool, expanded OS and CPU support, and a stronger Customer FAQ, VMware Workstation and Fusion remain modern, reliable, and central to our desktop virtualization strategy.

We’ll continue to refine these products and supporting resources with each release — ensuring customers have the tools they need today, and confidence in the value of Workstation and Fusion tomorrow.