VMware Fusion

Version13(as of 11/30/2022)
PlatformMac
LicenseCommercial
CategorySystem
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Rating:3.1  |  49 Votes

Main Features

  • Runs Windows, Linux, and other operating systems in macOS
  • Supports up to 16 vCPUs and 64GB of memory on a single virtual machine
  • Includes DirectX 11 and eGPU support
  • Allows you to take VM snapshots and revert to saved states
  • Creates encrypted VMs
  • Provides support for Windows 10 and 11 hosts

Software Overview

Screenshot of VMware Fusion 13
Screenshot of VMware Fusion 13

VMware Fusion is virtualization software that enables Mac users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems (OSes) in macOS, by creating virtual machines (VMs). Fusion is available in two versions, Player and Pro. Player is designed for personal use, while Pro includes advanced, business-oriented features, such as the ability to customize virtual networks, connect to the vSphere/ESXi Server, and create linked and full clones.

Fusion can create and run VMs in three modes:

  • Full Screen: Transforms your Mac's entire screen into the desktop of the virtualized OS, such as Windows 11 or Ubuntu Linux.
  • Single Window: Shows the virtualized OS desktop as an application window on your macOS desktop.
  • Unity: Integrates the virtualized OS applications with your macOS desktop and dock.

Fusion includes a 64-bit engine and multicore processing power, allowing you to switch seamlessly between the virtualized OS apps and macOS apps. For example, you can play a .WMV video file with Windows Media Player in a virtualized Windows OS, then convert a .HEIC image file with Apple Preview on your Mac.

Additionally, each Fusion VM can include 16 virtual CPUs (vCPUS), an up-to-8TB virtual disk, and 64GB of memory, providing enough processing power and storage to run even the most intensive Windows and Linux applications. The program also includes the ability to take a snapshot of your VMs, so you can revert to a previous state at any time.

Summary

Fusion is a high-end virtualization program that allows you to run Windows, Linux, and macOS applications side-by-side without sacrificing performance. VMware Fusion is an excellent choice for running Windows in macOS, as well as hundreds of other operating systems.

Primary File Type

vmwarevm icon.VMWAREVMVMware Fusion Virtual Machine

Supported File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.VMWAREVMVMware Fusion Virtual Machine
.SCOREBOARDVMware Virtual Machine Stats File
.VHDVirtual PC Virtual Hard Disk
.VMDKVirtual Machine Disk File
.VMDK-CONVERTTMPVMWare Fusion Temporary File
.VMEMVMware Virtual Machine Memory File
.VMSDVMware Snapshot Metadata File
.VMSNVMware Snapshot State File
.VMSSVMware Suspended State File
.VMTMVMware Team Data File
.VMXVMware Virtual Machine Configuration File
.VMXFVMware Team Member File
.VPC7Virtual Machine Package

Additional Related File Types

ExtensionFile Type
.EXEWindows Executable File
.FLPFloppy Disk Image
.ISODisc Image File
.OVAOpen Virtual Appliance
.OVFOpen Virtualization File
.PVMParallels Virtual Machine
.VPC6Virtual Machine Package
Updated 11/30/2022