VMware Fusion - OpenGL 3.3 not working (need help, new to this)

[aidan mckinney]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to VMware Fusion and trying to run something that needs OpenGL 3.3, but I keep getting an error saying it's not supported.

I'm using VMware Fusion (25h2) on macOS and running (windows11).

I have the tools?

Thanks in advance - I'm pretty new to this, so step-by-step help would be awesome!

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[Technogeezer]

Intel or Apple Silicon host? What version of VMware Tools are installed?

I'm assuming that there's some program you're trying to install or use that's giving you an error.  Can you elaborate on what exactly is displaying the error that OpenGL 3.3 is not supported?

There are some tools available on the web that can tell you if OpenGL is available and if so what level.  I've installed GLview 7 and it shows that on a Windows 11 ARM 25H2 VM with VMware Tools 13.0.5 VM, OpenGL 4.3 is available (but it's software rendering) when 3D acceleration is enabled for the VM. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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[aidan mckinney]

this is the error i get i get it from opening the program 

i belive i have the box checked for 3d acceleration

and i have i belive apple silicon base

i will try geting glveiw 7 im not sure where to check what vmware tools i have

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[aidan mckinney]

ok i got glview7! this is what it says

so... i think it says i have 4.3

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[Neha Bhende]

It seems you have 3D enabled. Here is KB article which will help you to install latest vmtools. This should give you OpenGL support that you are looking for.

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/315622/installing-vmware-tools-in-a-fusion-virt.html

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[aidan mckinney]

ok i went through installing the vmware tools again like the video you sent but im still getting the same error

sorry i dont know too much what im doing

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[Technogeezer]

What program are you trying to run that's giving you this error?  It's possible that this is an issue with the program where it's looking for a nVidiia or AMD GPU that doesnt exist in a virtual machine. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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