Should I update from Fusion 11.5.7 to ?

[Warren99]

Currently running Fusion 11.5.7 on a MacMini 2018, running Catalina OS. Is there any reason I shouldn't update both Fusion and the OS? I've held off because some of my accounting software is very sensitive to change, and a I didn't want to mess things up. I've since scrapped that software.

Also, if I do update, what are the steps I need to take -- update MacOS first, then, Fusion. Can I expect problems, or . . . 

Any help would be appreciated

[Technogeezer]

Here's how I'd go about this.

I would plan to upgrade macOS to at least Ventura. Don't bother with Big Sur (as it's no longer getting security updates) or Monterey (as it will be losing support this fall when Sequoia is released).

Fusion 11 won't run on any macOS version after Catalina. You'll need Fusion 13.x if you are planning on upgrading to Monterey or later.  I'd plan on using Fusion 13.5.2. If using Fusion for commercial purposes, you'll need a VMware Desktop Hypervisor subscription, otherwise you can use the free personal use version of Fusion 13.5.2.

Before doing anything, make 2 backups of your current system. One can be Time Machine, and the other can be with something like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!).

Shut down your VMs - DO NOT LEAVE THEM SUSPENDED -- and remove all snapshots.  Copy all your VMs to another disk with the Finder. 

Shut down Fusion 11.5.7 and fully remove it from your current system. Use the information in tech note https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?legacyId=1017838 to do this - do not rely on simply dragging/dropping the VMware Fusion application to the trash. The process will not remove any of your virtual machines.

Upgrade macOS.

Re-install Fusion 13.5.2.

Open Fusion and configure it to search for your VMs in the folders you stored them in and automatically add them back to the Virtual Machine Library.

The first time that you power up a VM under Fusion 13.x, you will be asked if you want to upgrade the virtual hardware. DO NOT UPGRADE THE VIRTUAL HARDWARE. 

If you had the VM encrypted, you will also be asked if you wish to upgrade the encryption. DO NOT UPGRADE THE ENCRYPTION.

If running a Windows VM, you may be asked to upgrade VMware Tools. DO NOT UPGRADE TOOLS AT THIS TIME. 

Once you verify that the VMs work properly, you may then upgrade the virtual hardware version, the encryption, and VMware Tools -- at your convenience. DON"T UPGRADE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU VERIFY THAT THE VM WORKS PROPERLY.

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- Paul (technogeezer)
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[Warren99]

Wow. Wasn't expecting this quick and this detailed. Thank you