Versions earlier than 3 of VMware Player were unable to create virtual machines (VMs), which had to be created by an application with the capability, or created manually by statements stored in a text file with extension '.vmx' later versions can create VMs. VMware claimed in 2011 that the Player offered better graphics, faster performance, and tighter integration for running Windows XP under Windows Vista or Windows 7 than Microsoft's Windows XP Mode running on Windows Virtual PC, which is free of charge for all purposes. In 2015 the two packages were combined as VMware Workstation 12, with a free for non-commercial use Player version which, on purchase of a license code, either became the higher-specification VMware Workstation Pro, or allowed commercial use of Player. The free VMware Player was distinct from VMware Workstation until Player v7, Workstation v11. does not formally support Player, but there is an active community website for discussing and resolving issues, as well as a knowledge base. VMware Player is available for personal non-commercial use, or for distribution or other use by written agreement.

It uses the same virtualization core as VMware Workstation, a similar program with more features, which is not free of charge. VMware Player can run existing virtual appliances and create its own virtual machines (which require that an operating system be installed to be functional).

VMware Workstation Player, formerly VMware Player, is a virtualization software package for 圆4 computers running Microsoft Windows or Linux, supplied free of charge by VMware, Inc.

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