Broadcom has indicated in a reply to the following post https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/question/fusion-update-not-working#3d055774-70c2-44c6-b2ad-0195d3071b56 that the in-product update feature is no longer available for VMware Desktop Hypervisor (Fusion and Workstation). Because of this, the product updater files that could be used as a work-around for obtaining old Fusion versions are no longer available.
I have removed the file containing the download links because the links are useless now.
If you need old versions of Fusion, you may need to search the Internet for alternate non-Broadcom download sites. I've had good luck personally finding obsolete software in the Internet Archive. Note that you'll still need a Fusion license to use any old Fusion version -- the assumption is that you have one because Broadcom no longer sells Fusion licenses.
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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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Original Message:
Sent: Mar 01, 2025 12:17 PM
From: Technogeezer
Subject: Lost your old Fusion installer file?
Update:
I'm sorry to report this, but Broadcom has recently made changes to their software update infrastructure that have broken the in-product updater for all Fusion (and Workstation) releases. As collateral damage, the web links provided in this post no longer work.
It remains to be seen if these will ever work again. I'll update this thread as Broadcom responds to the issues.
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Broadcom no longer provides downloads of installers for Fusion versions prior to 13.5.2. This presents problems for legally licensed users of Fusion that need to re-install Fusion, but don't have the installation media.
If you've lost your old Fusion installer media, you can work around this by manually downloading the payload used by the in-product updaters from Broadcom's software update infrastructure. The .csv file attached to this thread (or accessed here: https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/viewdocument/lost-your-old-fusion-installer-file?CommunityKey=0c3a2021-5113-4ad1-af9e-018f5da40bc0&tab=librarydocuments ) contains links for updater payloads that are available from the software update site. This file can be opened in either Microsoft Excel or Apple's Numbers (or a text editor if you so desire).
Interpreting the .csv file
- Payloads marked as "core" in the csv file contain the VMware Fusion.app file. You must manually extract the payload file, then extract the com.vmware.fusion.zip file found in the extracted payload. You should then find a VMware Fusion.app file (along with some other script files used by the in-product updater). Move or copy the VMware Fusion.app into your Applications folder -- you don't need the other files. The first time Fusion is executed, it will ask for permissions to perform any additional setup that is required.
- Payloads marked as "packages" in the csv file contain other updatable components of Fusion. VMware Tools is the most common component found in these payloads.
Notes:
- This information is presented as-is. No guarantees. Use it at your own risk.
- This file is provided for informational use only. I will not provide any support for its use other than what is posted here.
- Broadcom does not sanction the use of these files for anything other than in-product updater use. You'll get no support from them on how to use them as described here.
- Broadcom may change things at any time or ask that this post be taken down. These links may not work in the future.
- Versions of Fusion before 13.5.2 require license keys. Broadcom no longer sells licenses for old versions of Fusion. You must have a license for the version of Fusion you wish to install.
- Fusion versions before Fusion 13 are end-of life. They have bugs and security vulnerabilities that will not be fixed.
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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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