VMware Workstation Player 3.1

VMware Player is a free application to create and run virtual machines. A virtual machine is a virtual, software-based computer. In other words, a virtual machine is an application that runs in your computer, like any other, but simulates a whole computer.

This program is free for non-commercial use. VMware has several other applications for commercial use. The most notable differences to the free version are the lack of advanced functionalities, like Teams, multiple Snapshots and Clones, or Virtual Rights Management for handling security. Most of these features are advanced, powerful features, that end users probably won't notice are missing, exception be made to snapshots (explained ahead).

The best way to describe this program is with some examples. Imagine you are a Windows user and never worked with Linux, but having heard a lot about it, you would like to try it out. However, installing a new Operating System can be tricky, you should backup all your data, partition your hard drive, maybe even reformat everything (for instance to install Window 7). With VMware you can try a new operating system inside a Windows application (or Linux, or even Mac!). You just need to install VMware Player, choose to create a new virtual machine, and you will be guided through the entire installation process. It will help you make choices, such as how much hard disk space you want to create (remember, it is a virtual hard disk!) and how much memory you want to assign to your virtual machine. You can select advanced details, such as the number of processors, the number of cores by processor or CD drivers (which can access CD images or real CD drivers on your host computer). You can run Linux, Windows, or Chromium in a window.

There are also small details to account for: you can copy and paste between real and virtual computers (usually named host and guest systems). You can share files. And you can just copy the entire system and lend it to a friend for whatever purpose you see fit. Just as an example, a teacher can have all its students take a test, in a computer, knowing each one has access to exactly the same conditions.

One feature only commercial versions of this application have is taking snapshots. A snapshot of a system is exactly that, it allows you to revert your virtual system to a time in the past (for instance if it is not working anymore, you can go back to when it was working properly!).

You can also run legacy applications, for instance run your Windows XP applications, installed in a Windows XP system, on a virtual machine inside a window in your Linux system. The possibilities are endless. There is even a marketplace from where you can download already installed operating systems.

In version 3.1, VMware added support for some more Linux 32-bits and 64-bits distributions, improved graphics performance, automated updates, and introduced the User Experience Improvement Program, among other more technical improvements.