Problems with uninstalling the VMWARE Workstation Pro v17.6.1

[Marko Stanojevic]

Hello, this is my first post here. I would appreciate some help resolving a following issue.

I want to uninstall Workstation Pro v17.6.1 since I saw there is a new version (latest one) v17.6.4 and wanted to upgrade.

My operating system is MS Windows Server 2025 Standard (Windows 11).

I tried everything!

1. Uninstall using "Programs and Features" (Add/Remove programs) from Windows Control Panel. It starts up the Setup Wizard it and gives me three choices: Change, Repair and Remove. When I click on Remove it freezes and does nothing!

2. Uninstall using the original installation package "VMware-workstation-full-17.6.1-24319023.exe" - it acts the same as mentioned above!

3. Entering Windows Safe Mode - uninstallation fails because in Safe mode windows installer is not working?! :)

4. Trying to manually disable workstation's startup services from "msconfig" in Windows - still acts the same as before!

5. Starting up a new version from a new installation package "VMware-workstation-full-17.6.4-24832109.exe" - it warns me it cannot install before I uninstall the previous version! :))) 

I have tried a few more tricks but I am still unable to uninstall the workstation. The only other options I am left with are to install some third party uninstaller software which I am not willing to do and to REINSTALL WINDOWS!!!

Not to mention the software updater DOESN'T work either (Help-Software Updates-Check for Updates-The update Server couldn't be resolved!) - later I have found on this forum that this is also an issue too.

Broadcom, VmWare, anybody?

At least give us some uninstaller/removal/cleaner app and let me erase it from my computer. Now I know it's free for personal use, thank you very much, but that doesn't mean it should act as a broken software.

I will try a different software option anyhow.

Best Regards

[RaSystemlord]

I couldn't quickly find any better document than this:

https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?articleNumber=367425

In principle, with Windows, it comes to generic ways how to remove items from Registry and how to delete Services. Then you can manually continue deleting all the VMware related files. It's usually difficult to know what those are, if the name is not enough to tell that. There is no "safe" way to do that, if Uninstall doesn't work. Generally speaking, there is no way to get Windows back to the same state than it was before installing "some software", but usually you can still cope with that reasonably enough. I hope the instructions above - from the software vendor - are good enough.

There has been no Update available with 17.6 versions. It has just been taken away.

[Morc001]

Try Revo Uninstaller. It's a free application and can remove applications even if the uninstaller of the application itself does not work. I'd look into Event viewer of Windows and look under System and Application for any hints as to what the problem is though. I have a feeling it's not only VMWare that you can't uninstall. Alternatively you can just wait given the uninstaller actually runs and not just starts and then stops due to some error.

Also you'd better start a discussion, instead of a Q&A because you'll not be able to respond to your "answers".

[Marko Stanojevic]

Windows 11 (Server 2025) has a security issue with digitally signed certifiactes in SFX CAB archives (.exe).

This results in freezing the installation or deinstallation of signed SFX CAB .EXE files like the one for Workstation Pro.

Workaround is to modify Registry by creating a new DWORD32 "AllowNtAuthPolicyBypass" , and set it's value to 1.

Registry key should be created here: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa

After all it was a Microsoft fail, but maybe vmware also has to find a solution or change the way installation package is delivered.

Thanks to all who replied.

Best Regards

[RaSystemlord]

Marko: Basically yes in Windows. If some software vendor creates a buggy version, uninstall program is also created by them and then you might want to ask what is the likelihood that the uninstall software is not buggy as well. In Windows-world - you have 3rd Parties who make a better job with Utilities - or they don't make a good job. You never know. You got one suggestion already. If you do several installs in a row, it is not even theoretically possible to get back to the "safe status" before the installs.

If you are longing for reliable install procedures and uninstall procedures, then you need to use a distro (OS) which actually knows what happens during install and uninstall. That is Linux (and there are others, but not Windows). You can use VMware just as well on Linux or actually much better.

[Marko Stanojevic]

Yes, it seems in the long run it's time to abandon Microsoft and all it's products. Windows 11 is very buggy unfortunately. Best Regards