⚡ Quick Answer
Download VMware Unlocker 3.0.4 from GitHub, close VMware completely, extract the zip, then run win-install.cmd as administrator. This patches VMware Workstation (versions 11-16 confirmed tested) to add macOS as a supported guest OS. Note: VMware Workstation Pro is now free to download after Broadcom’s acquisition.
Author’s Note: Validated on VMware Workstation Pro 26H1.
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 VMware Workstation Pro (v 16) and Player products. Do note: VMware Workstation Pro is now free to download after Broadcom’s acquisition, and versions 17.x and 26H1 are the current releases. I have not personally verified Unlocker 3.0.4 with those newer major versions yet, so keep that in mind if you are on 17+.
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. Worth knowing: VMware Workstation Pro is now free to download (Broadcom made it free after acquiring VMware), and versions 17.x and 26H1 are the current releases. That said, I have not personally confirmed that Unlocker 3.0.4 works cleanly with Workstation 17 or 26H1, so your mileage may vary on those newer versions. 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 VMware Workstation to run macOS 12 Monterey on Windows 11 and Windows 10 computers. If you are on VMware Workstation 17 or newer, macOS Sonoma (14) can be installed as a guest OS as well.
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
Dead link?
Will this work in Windows 7 64-bit and with an Intel cpu that has no support for VT?
windows 7 64-bit does not support catchworks for vmware 8.0
blank logo problem
all the above are working on 32 but not on 64bits
Do you have an unlocker for V 8.0.4 – that would really help.
the 1.10 unlocker seems to work just fine 🙂
I have patched it but mac won’t start it say “the cpu has been disabled by the guest OS”
I have installed VMware Workstation 8.0.4
But when i am going to install MAC OS LION version it shows the message
“CPU has been disable by Guest operating system”
Can any buddy help me to solve this problem?
My System configuration is:
Laptop : Dell Inspiron 5520
Processor : Intel Core i5-3210M(3rd generation) CPU @ 2.50GHz
RAM : 4GB
HDD : 500 GB
O.S. : Windows 7 ultimate
Workstation : 8.0.4
Please check if the following works for you or not?
1. Edit .vmx file
2. Add the following line
cpuid.1.eax = “0000:0000:0000:0001:0000:0110:1010:0101”
Thanks. This worked for me. I had the exact same issue.
It worked for me at last hush…….!!!
After hours of searching and lots of downloads Its the best patch it worked for me just fine…
Thanks a Lot ……Thank You Very Much for This informative topic and patch…….
Thank you Sysprobs once again …..
Hi I have done installing the mac os 10 lion in vmware 8.0.4. my problem now is with the video card, it is not detected, could someone help me?
wonder is it would be possible to netboot on vmware wks 8!
Fusion Preview Tech allows it!
hi….i have Intel(R) core(TM)2 duo cpu E6550 @2.33GHz processer
my operating system is 64 bit
i have 4Gb ram.
i have a problem when install the mac os x line through vmware 8.
The problem is “Mac OS X is not supported with software virtualization. To run Mac OS X you need a host on which VMware Workstation supports hardware virtualization”.
if you don’t mine could you tell me how to solve the problem and which vmware and which mac os x line support in my configration pc .
we are waiting for your answer…….i hope you will let me very soon.
You need to enable hardware virtualization in your PC’s BIOS.
Has anyone tested this on VMWare Workstation 9 yet? Or, is there a new patch? TIA
Please refer to this link for more details:
https://sysprobs.com/easily-run-mac-os-x-10-8-mountain-lion-retail-on-pc-with-vmware-image
This unlocker v110 works well with VMware workstation 9. Please ensure that VMware workstation 9 is clean installed .There should not be any left overs of older VMware in registry or on your system drive.Else you might get problems running VMware workstation server services.
Great! Thanks Ash, I will give it a shot……….
Hello,
99% worked for me, but i have one problem is that Ethernet not working… Can someone help me..
How are you trying to establish netwrok connection…have you tried NAT.Make sure in VMware 9 you need to create new virtual machine & then eventually add your virtual disk.VMware 9 may ask you to convert the existing VD to new format.Please do so else you may land in one problem or the other.IN VMware 8.0.4 this is not the issue.
sorry for the error..Its “network”
I found , the ethernet automatically taken an Ip address. The ip address is : 192.168.x.x , but i need to bring this system into my network. I have tried to change the ip. Ip is changing but i unable to ping any system into my network. Ya i use Vmware 9.x and the NAT is enabled…
Second problem : Updating , have downloaded the Mac updates , restarting but not updated into the new version.
Third problem : I found the Os little slow in working. Is there is any way to increase the performance. The settings are RAM 2GB, Processor 2..
Suggestion plz…
m encountering a problem it say’s “Mac OS X is not supported with software virtualization. To run Mac OS X you need a host on which VMware Player supports hardware virtualization.” what should i do now? please rply fast
Nichole…..after you install VMware 8 or 9 ,you need to install the unlocker patch v110.Run install.cmd with Administrative priviliges.Then you need to restart the OS in order for VMware to support Apple mac OSX.Also make sure hardware virtualization is enabled in the bios. In case the bios does not support hardware virtualization then you may try the below link in order to bypass hardware virtualization check.
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/256745-run-mac-os-in-vmware-workstation-without-hardware-virtualization/
Does this version of unlocker work with VM 8.0.4?
I am having problem like after Apple logo it shows the road block sign, help me!
ya Wes it works well with VMware workstation 8.0.4
Harsh are u trying to install ML on Vmware workstation 9 or have u just add ur existing virtual hard disk…
i m using Workstation 8 i have the Mac OS X 10.7.4
Harsh I think you are trying to run update of lion 10.7.4.if yes had you taken snapshot before applying this update.if yes then great…….revert to your previous snapshot
1. Start the Lion guest and the open a Terminal under Applications Utilities
2. Copy the existing AppleLSIFusionMPT.kext to the current directory:
cp -rv /System/Library/Extensions/AppleLSIFusionMPT.kext . (including the last dot)
3. Now run the 10.7.4 update package but stop and do not reboot
4. Go back to the terminal prompt and run these 2 commands.
sudo rm -rfv /System/Library/Extensions/AppleLSIFusionMPT.kext
sudo cp -rv AppleLSIFusionMPT.kext /System/Library/Extensions
You will be prompted for your password. All Thanks to Zenith & his team
5. Now you can reboot.
Incase if you havent taken snapshot then please follow this useful link which may help you.
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/268531-workstation-8-and-fusion-4-mac-os-x-unlocker/page__st__100#entry1758947
especially one wriiter by shawken
Harsh I suggest u to please follow this link especially one written by Shawken which may help you.
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/268531-workstation-8-and-fusion-4-mac-os-x-unlocker/page__st__100#entry1758947
Incase you are trying to apply combo update & have taken snapshot then you can even refer this link which is also applicablt to lion 10.7.4
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/270140-fix-lion-1072-on-vmware/
Incase of any further issue please post details about your vmx config file & how have you set up the virtual disk for lion
Compare windows 8 with it’s previous windows
http://21century.in/just-order-latest-os-windows-8-pro-dvd-pack-better-than-windows-7-vista-and-xp/
it will help you to take your decision.
Workstation 9 and 8.0/8.0.1 will work too good in New Chrome 23
See What’s New in New Google Chrome 23
http://21century.in/more-faster-new-google-chrome-23-with-dont-track-feature/
It work like a charm 🙂
I have Debian squeeze with back-ports installed and kernel version as my `uname -a` command shows: 3.2.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 (yes! this is a 64bit system)
I have installed VMware 9.0 and then updated the VMware to 9.0.1 and then I applied the unlocker 1.1.0 and I can confirm that it works 100% without any patching done to the VMware drivers that are supposed to emulate system devices , for example, the network device.