VMware Workstation 9 Portable: How to Create and Use It on Any PC
VMware Workstation V9 Portable Download: A Complete Guide
If you are looking for a powerful and versatile virtualization software that can run multiple operating systems on a single PC, you might have heard of VMware Workstation V9. This software allows you to create and manage virtual machines that can run Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, or any other operating system of your choice. You can also use it to test applications, simulate scenarios, or perform demonstrations without affecting your main system.
VMware Workstation V9 Portable Download
But what if you want to use VMware Workstation V9 on different PCs without installing it every time? Or what if you want to carry it around on a USB drive or an external hard drive? In that case, you might be interested in a portable version of VMware Workstation V9. A portable version is a modified version of the software that does not require installation and can run from any removable media.
In this article, we will explain what VMware Workstation V9 is, what are its features and benefits, and what are its system requirements and compatibility. We will also explain what a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 is, what are its advantages and disadvantages, and how to create one. Finally, we will show you how to download VMware Workstation V9 Portable from official sources and alternatives, how to install it on your PC, and how to optimize its performance.
What is VMware Workstation V9?
VMware Workstation V9 is a virtualization software that was released by VMware in 2012. It is the ninth major version of VMware Workstation, which was first launched in 1999. VMware Workstation V9 allows you to create and run multiple virtual machines on a single PC. Each virtual machine can have its own operating system, applications, settings, and files. You can switch between different virtual machines with a simple click or use them simultaneously.
Features and benefits of VMware Workstation V9
Some of the features and benefits of VMware Workstation V9 are:
It supports a wide range of operating systems, including Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Ubuntu 12.04, Fedora 17, CentOS 6.0, Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, and more.
It allows you to create virtual machines with up to 64 GB of memory, 16 virtual CPUs, 8 TB of disk space, and 20 virtual networks.
It enables you to clone, snapshot, suspend, resume, share, encrypt, and backup your virtual machines.
It provides advanced features such as nested virtualization, hardware acceleration, 3D graphics support, USB 3.0 support, drag-and-drop file transfer, multiple monitor support, remote access, and more.
It integrates with other VMware products such as vSphere, vCloud Director, vFabric Application Director, vCenter Server Appliance, vCenter Converter Standalone, and more.
It helps you to test applications, simulate scenarios, or perform demonstrations without affecting your main system.
It improves your productivity, efficiency, security, and flexibility.
System requirements and compatibility of VMware Workstation V9
The minimum system requirements for running VMware Workstation V9 are:
A 64-bit x86 processor with at least 1.3 GHz speed.
At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended).
At least 1 GB of free disk space for installation (additional space required for each virtual machine).
A DirectX 10 compatible graphics card with at least 512 MB of video memory (1 GB recommended).
A Windows host operating system (Windows XP SP3 or later).
The supported host operating systems for VMware Workstation V9 are:
Windows XP SP3 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows Vista SP2 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows Server 2003 R2 SP2 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 SP2 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (64-bit)
Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)
What is a portable version of VMware Workstation V9?
A portable version of VMware Workstation V9 is a modified version of the software that does not require installation and can run from any removable media such as a USB drive or an external hard drive. A portable version is useful if you want to use VMware Workstation V9 on different PCs without installing it every time or if you want to carry it around with you wherever you go.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a portable version
Some of the advantages of using a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 are:
You can save time and disk space by not installing the software on every PC you use.
You can avoid potential conflicts or errors with other programs or settings on your PC.
You can keep your virtual machines and settings consistent across different PCs.
You can protect your privacy and security by not leaving any traces on the host PC.
Some of the disadvantages of using a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 are:
You may experience slower performance or reduced functionality due to the limitations of the removable media or the host PC.
You may encounter compatibility issues with some operating systems or devices that are not supported by the portable version.
You may risk losing your data or damaging your removable media if it gets corrupted or misplaced.
How to create a portable version of VMware Workstation V9
To create a portable version of VMware Workstation V9, you will need:
A licensed copy of VMware Workstation V9 installed on your PC.
A removable media with at least 1 GB of free space formatted as NTFS.
A third-party tool such as ThinApp or Cameyo that can create portable applications.
The general steps to create a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 are:
Launch the third-party tool and select the option to create a new project or package.
Select the option to capture an installed application and choose VMware Workstation V9 from the list.
Select the option to scan your PC before installing the application and wait for the process to complete.
Select the option to install the application normally and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select the option to scan your PC after installing the application and wait for the process to complete.
Select the option to build or compile the project or package and choose a destination folder on your removable media.
Select the option to customize or configure the project or package if needed and make any changes as desired.
Select the option to finish or save the project or package and wait for the process to complete.
You should now have a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 on your removable media that you can run on any compatible PC without installation.
How to download VMware Workstation V9 Portable
Official sources and alternatives
The official source for downloading VMware Workstation V9 is the VMware Customer Connect website. You will need to register an account and provide your license key and activation code to download the software. You can also download a 30-day trial version if you want to try it before buying it.
However, the official source does not provide a portable version of VMware Workstation V9. You will have to create one yourself using a third-party tool as explained in the previous section. Alternatively, you can look for unofficial sources that offer pre-made portable versions of VMware Workstation V9. However, you should be careful when downloading from unofficial sources as they may contain viruses, malware, or other unwanted programs. You should also check the legality and legitimacy of the portable versions before using them.
Steps to download and install VMware Workstation V9 Portable
If you have created a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 using a third-party tool, you can simply copy it to your removable media and run it on any compatible PC without installation. However, if you have downloaded a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 from an unofficial source, you may need to follow some additional steps to install it on your PC. Here are the general steps to download and install VMware Workstation V9 Portable:
Download the portable version of VMware Workstation V9 from the source of your choice.
Extract the compressed file to a folder on your removable media using a tool such as WinRAR or 7-Zip.
Open the folder and look for the executable file that launches the portable version of VMware Workstation V9. It may have a name such as VMware-Workstation-Portable.exe or something similar.
Double-click on the executable file and wait for the portable version of VMware Workstation V9 to load.
Accept the license agreement and enter your license key and activation code if required.
Enjoy using VMware Workstation V9 Portable on your PC.
Tips and tricks to optimize VMware Workstation V9 Portable performance
To get the best performance out of your portable version of VMware Workstation V9, you should follow some tips and tricks such as:
Use a fast and reliable removable media such as a USB 3.0 drive or an external SSD.
Use a PC that meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for running VMware Workstation V9.
Close any unnecessary programs or processes on your PC that may consume CPU, RAM, or disk resources.
Adjust the settings of your virtual machines according to your needs and preferences. For example, you can allocate more memory, disk space, or CPU cores to your virtual machines if they require more resources. You can also enable or disable features such as hardware acceleration, 3D graphics support, USB 3.0 support, drag-and-drop file transfer, multiple monitor support, remote access, and more.
Update your portable version of VMware Workstation V9 regularly to get the latest patches, fixes, and improvements.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have explained what VMware Workstation V9 is, what are its features and benefits, and what are its system requirements and compatibility. We have also explained what a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 is, what are its advantages and disadvantages, and how to create one. Finally, we have shown you how to download VMware Workstation V9 Portable from official sources and alternatives, how to install it on your PC, and how to optimize its performance.
Call to action and recommendations
If you are interested in using VMware Workstation V9 Portable on your PC, we recommend you to:
Create a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 using a third-party tool such as ThinApp or Cameyo if you have a licensed copy of the software installed on your PC.
Download a portable version of VMware Workstation V9 from an unofficial source only if you trust its source and legality.
Follow the steps to install and run the portable version of VMware Workstation V9 on your PC.
Follow the tips and tricks to optimize the performance of the portable version of VMware Workstation V9 on your PC.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about VMware Workstation V9 Portable:
What is the difference between VMware Workstation V9 and VMware Player?
VMware Player is a free virtualization software that allows you to run one virtual machine at a time on your PC. It has limited features and functionality compared to VMware Workstation V9. VMware Workstation V9 is a paid virtualization software that allows you to create and run multiple virtual machines on your PC. It has advanced features and functionality that enable you to clone, snapshot, share, encrypt, backup, integrate, test, simulate, and demonstrate your virtual machines.
Can I use VMware Workstation V9 Portable on a Mac or Linux PC?
No, you cannot use VMware Workstation V9 Portable on a Mac or Linux PC. VMware Workstation V9 Portable is only compatible with Windows host operating systems. If you want to use VMware Workstation on a Mac or Linux PC, you will need to use VMware Fusion or VMware Workstation Pro respectively.
Can I use VMware Workstation V9 Portable with other VMware products?
Yes, you can use VMware Workstation V9 Portable with other VMware products such as vSphere, vCloud Director, vFabric Application Director, vCenter Server Appliance, vCenter Converter Standalone, and more. However, you may need to install some additional components or plugins on your PC or your portable version of VMware Workstation V9 to enable the integration.
How can I update my portable version of VMware Workstation V9?
To update your portable version of VMware Workstation V9, you will need to download the latest version of the software from the official source or the unofficial source of your choice. Then, you will need to overwrite the existing files on your removable media with the new files. Alternatively, you can create a new portable version of VMware Workstation V9 using a third-party tool and the latest version of the software.
How can I backup or restore my portable version of VMware Workstation V9?
To backup or restore your portable version of VMware Workstation V9, you will need to copy the entire folder that contains the portable version of the software and your virtual machines to another location such as another removable media or your PC. You can also use a tool such as WinRAR or 7-Zip to compress the folder into a single file for easier storage and transfer. To restore your portable version of VMware Workstation V9, you will need to copy the folder or extract the file to your removable media and run the executable file.