Broadcom Acquires VMware, Offers Fusion 13 Pro Free for Personal Use

In a strategic move earlier this year, Broadcom acquired VMware and subsequently made VMware Fusion, a leading Windows virtualization solution for Mac users, available for free for personal use. This decision positions VMware Fusion 13 Pro as a compelling choice for those needing to run specific Windows applications on their Macs, particularly as it stands as the second most popular option after Parallels.

Create a VMware Fusion Pro Personal License

1. Navigate to profile.broadcom.com, input your email address in the User Registration window, and click Next.
2. Verify your email using the six-digit code and click Verify & Continue.
3. Complete the registration by entering the required personal details, accepting the user terms, and clicking Create Account.
4. Go to the VMware Fusion software download page and select VMware Fusion 13 Pro for Personal Use. Click the latest release version to access the dedicated download page.
5. Agree to the terms and conditions, click the download button, and confirm on the additional verification pop-up.
6. On the Trade Compliance Verification screen, enter your user details, select I Agree, and click Submit.

Download and Install VMware Fusion Pro 13

1. On the VMware Fusion Pro for Personal Use page, click the download button to initiate the download.
2. Double-click the VMware Fusion universal dmg file saved in your downloads folder to mount it, then double-click the VMware Fusion icon.
3. Click Open, enter your Mac’s administrator password, and click OK to proceed with the installation.

Download Windows 11 and Configure the Virtual Machine

1. On the Select the Installation Method page, click Get Windows from Microsoft and proceed with Continue.
2. On the Download and Install Windows 11 screen, click Continue, then Download Windows.

Note: Windows 11 is not free, but Microsoft allows a registration grace period before displaying the Activate Windows watermark.

3. VMware Fusion will download Windows 11 from Microsoft. Once completed, click Continue.

Tip: The Windows 11 ISO will be saved in ~/Virtual Machines.localized/VMWIsoImages/, which can be reused for future configurations.

4. Select UEFI and click Continue.
5. Choose Only the files needed to support a TPM are encrypted, click Auto Generate Password, and ensure Remember Password and store it in Mac’s Keychain is selected before continuing.

A hands-on video walkthrough is available for those interested in harnessing this capability. The video details the process of setting up a free VMware Fusion Pro personal license, downloading and installing VMware Fusion Pro 13, and configuring Windows 11 for ARM on a virtual machine. Subscribe to 9to5mac on YouTube for more videos.

This strategic move by Broadcom not only enhances the accessibility of VMware Fusion but also strengthens its position in the market as a viable alternative to Parallels. With VMware Fusion Pro 13 now available for free personal use, Mac users have a powerful tool at their disposal to seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their workflow.