We’re excited about what we’ve been working on and would love to share with the community where we’re at with this year’s release.
With new features to support Windows 11, new graphics capabilities, and other useful features like auto-start VMs, we’re gearing up for a new major release of Workstation.
Join the discussion in our Tech Preview VMTN Community!
What’s New?
Windows 11 Support
VMware Workstation for Windows and Linux now support Windows 11 operating systems for x86_64 CPU types.
Virtual Trusted Platform Module
In order to support Windows 11 requirements, a Trusted Platform Module is required. With this release, we have enhanced our Virtual TPM module by incorporating ‘Fast Encryption’, key auto-gen and key storage via Keychain with a TPM 2.0 virtual device profile that is compatible with Windows 11 system requirements. Of course, vTPM device can be added to any VM, but that VM must have either Full or Fast VM encryption enabled.
Fast Encryption
With the new ‘fast encryption’ mode, only the most critical parts of the virtual machine’s local storage space are encrypted, dramatically improving overall VM performance but providing a secure enclave for sensitive data such as a TPM device. Fast Encryption can be enabled for all VM types from the VM Settings. > Encryption window, or during the New VM walkthrough.
Encryption Key Auto-Generate and Store
To enhance the new fast encryption model, Workstation can auto-generate a password for the user, and the local keychain is used by default to store the encryption key, relieving the user from having to type it in whenever their VM boots.
Graphics Enhancements
OpenGL 4.3
Workstation for Windows and Linux, when used with a Linux VM that has a kernel of 5.18 or newer and Mesa 22.1.1, should notice that OpenGL now reports its version at 4.3 and OpenGL ES at 3.10.
Autostart VMs
Workstation introduces a feature specifically for launching user-defined virtual machines when the PC boots.
Head on over to the VMTN Community!
And that’s it!
Download the bits!
Let us know what you think in the Workstation Tech Preview community!
