If you want to use macOS or earlier versions on Intel-based Windows OS computers by VMware workstation or VM player, “macOS unlocker” is a compulsory utility. This unlocker utility replaces a few VMware program files and patches them to install and use macOS and older versions as virtual machines on Windows Operating Systems.
Here is the download link of the working VMware unlocker that supports VMware Workstation versions 11 to 16 (all tested by me) on Windows 10, 11 and older versions 8.1 64- bit and Win 7 32-bit physical computers.
Unlocker version 3.0.4
The latest unlocker version (3.0.4) released by the developer in February 2022 has several bug fixes and supports the guest macOS version up to macOS 13 (Ventura). Also, this utility works on Windows 11 computers with the latest VMware Workstation Pro (v 16) and Player products.
We published a few guides about installing Mavericks, Mountain Lion and Lion OS X on VMware workstation using this unlocker.
Read Also: Download macOS 13 Ventura VMware Image.
VMware macOS Unlocker (Workstation 11-16) Download Link
Download the DrDonk unlocker from the developer’s site here.
It has been tested with Workstation 11-16 versions and VMware players 7,12,15, and 16. If you have the older version of unlocker installed, you must uninstall it before installing the latest version. Failure to do this may hamper your VMware workstation files and program.
Install macOS Unlocker on Windows 10/11 for VMware Workstation/Player
1) Since this tool will be changing and updating the binary files of the VMware workstation, it is always good practice to backup the VMware program folder before executing the unlocker.
2) After downloading the zip file, extract it.
3) If you have the previous unlocker version, you must uninstall it first.
To do that, right-click on the uninstallation script and execute it as administrator.
Note: VMware workstation or player must be completely switched off before running this script.
4) Close any working Virtual machines and VMware program. Execute the installation script as administrator.
While executing the unlocker script in Windows 11, you may get the Microsoft defender SmartScreen warning. You can click more and ‘Run anyway’ to continue the installation.
5) It will patch some files and download the VMware tools for macOS guest machines. Let it do and complete those steps.
6) Now, you must see the difference in the guest OS support. You can’t create any macOS virtual machines without the patch since they are not listed as supported versions, as shown below.
After the patch, now it should appear as below.
The latest Unlocker 3.0.4 brings the support up to macOS 10.16 (Big Sur). So, it supports macOS 10.15 Catalina and 10.14 Mojave too. Also, after selecting the latest version (10.16), we can use the VMware workstation to use macOS 12 Monterey on Windows 11 and Windows 10 computers.
I’m just a tester of this utility. Full credits should go to the developer who produced a great tool. This particular macOS unlocker works on Intel processor Windows and Linux computers only. AMD is not supported yet.
If you have the older version of the VMware workstation earlier than version 11, you need the older version of the unlocker.
Here is working Big Sur 10.16 on Windows 10 with VMware workstation 16.
After patching the VMware workstation with this unlocker, the patch is no longer valid if you upgrade the VMware to any major versions. You may not be able to run or create macOS VMs anymore. You need to run the latest unlocker (which has the support of the VMware version you upgraded) to get the macOS virtual machine support again.
Older versions of Unlockers (Link below)
a) Visit the official site to download unlocker 2.0.7 (free registration required). This works for VMware workstation 11.
b) For VMware versions 10, 9, 8 and 7, you need to get version 1.0.3.
In the older versions of unlocker, you may find different sets of files.
Right-click on install.cmd file and select Run as administrator option as shown below. Also, you can start the command prompt as administrator on Windows 7 computer and execute install.cmd from the command prompt.
Here is the working Mountain Lion OS X 10.8 on VMware workstation 9 with Windows 7 32-bit host after using the unlocker.
With these all information, you must have a clear idea of downloading and installing the VMware macOS unlocker on Windows 11/10 and older versions.
How to install VMware Unlocker in Linux?
The same Unlocker tool has the installation script for Linux OS. Execute the lnx-install.sh file from the terminal with the root access. This step will patch the VMware workstation on your Linux computer and support macOS as a guest virtual machine.
How to get Mac OS on VMware – Windows OS?
VMware workstations or players for Windows do not support Mac OS officially. We need to download and run a VMware unlocker to enable the support for macOS on Windows. Then we can use the pre-installed macOS VMware images or modified ISO files to get Mac OS on VMware.
Where can I download the latest VMware tools for macOS on Windows OS?
The VMware unlocker tool has a script to download the latest Darwin VMware tools for macOS. Execute win-update-tools.cmd from the unlocker extracted location. You can see a folder called ‘tool’ with the latest VMware tools.
204 Comments
plzzz give me a link to download El-captain which can be installed in vmware
ubuntu 15.10
vmware-workstation-full-12.0.1-3160714.x86_64.bundle
root@rumpumpel1:/usr/data/downloads/unlocker207# ./lnx-install.sh
VMware Unlocker 2.0.7
===============================
Copyright: Dave Parsons 2011-15
Creating backup folder…
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx-debug’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx-debug’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx-stats’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx-stats’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/lib/libvmwarebase.so/libvmwarebase.so’ -> ‘./backup/libvmwarebase.so’
Patching…
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “./unlocker.py”, line 402, in
main()
File “./unlocker.py”, line 352, in main
vmx_version = subprocess.check_output([“vmware”, “-v”])
File “/usr/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py”, line 573, in check_output
raise CalledProcessError(retcode, cmd, output=output)
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command ‘[‘vmware’, ‘-v’]’ returned non-zero exit status 255
Same issue here also.
ubuntu 15.10 as well..
Upgraded VMWare Workstation 11 to 12 and Yosemite would freeze at boot. I would say it was stuck at 50% boot with the Apple logo. Install Locker 2.04 and higher and now boots through OK. Thank you so much!
Anybody successful on getting imessage to work. Vmware Workstation 12 running El Capitan Vmware Image. If so please share!
When i run unlocker cmd as administrator it just flashes up and does not seem to patch vmware
Tried everything i can think of but must be something simple i’ve missed please help thanks
It’s really worked!, Thanks a lot
It does not work for me!
Windows 7 32, VMware 10. Using the unlocker208 it does not show the Apple option to make a virtual machine. I need some suggestions!!!
daf
ppleSMCTableV1 Table : 0xb61b10
+LKS Key:
004 0xb61be8 +LKS 01 flag 0x90 0x1401302e0L 01
OSK0 Key Before:
435 0xb69520 OSK0 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 6F 75 72 68 61 72 64 77 6F 72 6B 62 79 74 68 65 73 65 77 6F 72 64 73 67 75 61 72 64 65 64 70 6C
OSK0 Key After:
435 0xb69520 OSK0 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 6F 75 72 68 61 72 64 77 6F 72 6B 62 79 74 68 65 73 65 77 6F 72 64 73 67 75 61 72 64 65 64 70 6C
OSK1 Key Before:
436 0xb69568 OSK1 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 65 61 73 65 64 6F 6E 74 73 74 65 61 6C 28 63 29 41 70 70 6C 65 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72 49 6E 63
OSK1 Key After:
436 0xb69568 OSK1 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 65 61 73 65 64 6F 6E 74 73 74 65 61 6C 28 63 29 41 70 70 6C 65 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72 49 6E 63
GOS Patching: C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmwarebase.dll
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “”, line 413, in
File “”, line 404, in main
File “”, line 283, in patchbase
IOError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: u’C:\\Program Files (x86)\\VMware\\VMware Workstation\\vmwarebase.dll’
unlocker returned -1
Getting VMware Tools…
it does not work for me!, cannot write to vmwarebase.dll
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people about this topic,
however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Anything in the works for VMware 12.1? The current locker doesn’t seem to work, unless, maybe, on a clean install of 12.1, which I haven’t tried – I have been re-applying the unlock after the update of VMware.
…and MAYBE I’ve even applied the unlock only once after an update – not too sure.
Any comments appreciated.
I have workstation 12 with unlocker 2.0.8 on Win 10, trying to install Yosemite VM. It is stuck in the Apple Logo screen with black BG, half way through the bar. Anyone can help?
Hi there, I have Yosemite DMG file. How can i use that in vmware?
Yes you can when chosing your iso file in the corner instead of iso files click all files then double click your dmg.
Thank you so much! I was stressing out over how my Mac OS X Yosemite in VMWare wouldn’t load.
Hi I am on Windows 7 and have VMware workstation 10. Unlocker 2.8 didn’t work so I downloaded 1.3 version, which worked and VMware now shows Mac OS option but it doesn’t show 10.11 version but shows till 10.9
Will I have to use VMware 11 or 12 for El Capitan.
Please advise.
Thanks
Rajveer
How can I use Yosemite vmdk file ? please help
Hi. I have runned OS X Guest successfully on Windows.
Now I want to use the same virtual machine on Ubuntu 16.04.
Is there any unlocker for the Linux version of VMware Workstation 12 Player?
Thanks
Hey Pablo,
i was just looking it up since i would like to switch
from my Macbook to a “Notebook” but having linux and mac.
Look up this link http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/files/file/339-unlocker/?st=110#commentsStart
there is a Section about linux if you havent tried it already
Cool
That is a very good how-to article, I always wanted to experience the limitations of Mac OS and find out why those limitations make it so special without spending an awful lot on a mac for no reason.
Virtualization is one of those things which pushes the power of a single machine to its maximum utilization and you can test out many programs and most important of all cybersecurity with wrecking the machine.
This is not working with VMware Workstation 15 Player 15.5.0 build -14665864 and windows 10 1903 (OS Build 18362.387).
Yes, this is not working on Windows 10 1903, for me too 🙁
Let’s see if I can do something or will wait for an update from the developer.
Thank you Dinesh. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance for testing purposes.
Any word on an update?
Thanks!
Also not working on WMware Workstation 15.5 Pro 15.5.0 build-14665864 and Windows 10 1909 (OS build 18363.418)
Also not working on WMware Workstation 15.5 Pro 15.5.0 build-14665864 and Windows 10 1909 (OS build 18363.418)
I am having the same issue as SAAS – it appears that the “Before” and “After” keys are identical and the “vmwarebase.dll” is not being patched or updated at all.
I am using the same versions of VMware Workstation Pro and Windows 10.