Download & Install macOS Unlocker for VMware Workstation in Windows 10, 8.1/7
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 few VMware program files and patches them to install and run macOS and older versions as virtual machines on Windows OS. Here is the download link of working unlocker for VMware Workstation version 11 to 15 (all tested by me) on Windows 10, 8.1 64 bit and Windows 7 32 bit physical computers.
UPDATE (20-09-2019) – This post was originally published back in the year 2011 and had been updated several times to match the latest versions and requirements. It is now again getting updated for latest version of macOS 10.15 Catalina and Unlocker version 3.0.2.
I have already published few guides about installing Mavericks, Mountain Lion and Lion OS X on VMware workstation by using this unlocker.
Download Link of Latest Unlocker for macOS, VMware Workstation 11-15 versions
Download the DrDonk unlocker from the developer’s site here.
It has been tested against Workstation 11-15 versions and VMware player 7,12,14 and 15. 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 for VMware Workstation 11/12/14/15
1) Since this tool will be changing and updating the binary files on VMware workstation, it is always good practice to backup the VMware program folder before running the unlocker.
2) After downloading the zip file, extract it.
3) If you have the previous version of unlocker, 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 Vivrutla machines and VMware program. Execute the installation script as administrator.
5) It will patch some files and even download the VMware tools for macOS guest machines. Let it do and complete.
6) Now you must see the difference in the guest OS support. Without the patch, you can’t create any macOS VMs because they were not listed as below.
After the patch, now it should appear as below.
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 are having the older version of VMware workstation, earlier than version 11, then you need the older version of unlocker.
Here is working El Capitan 10.11 on Windows 10 with VMware workstation 15. I will keep publishing guides based on this unlocker.
After patching the VMware workstation with this unlocker then upgrade the VMware to any major versions, the patch is no longer valid. 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 have) 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 version 10, 9, 8 and 7, you need to get the unlocker ver 1.0.3.
In the older versions of unlockers, you may find the different set of files.
Right-click on install.cmd file and select Run as administrator option as shown below. ( or you can start the command prompt as administrator in Windows 7 computer and execute install.cmd from command prompt)
Here is the working Mountain Lion OS X 10.8 in VMware workstation 9 with Windows 7 32 bit host after running unlocker.
With these all, you must have a clear idea of downloading and installing macOS unlocker on Windows 10 and older versions. If your VMware workstation or VM player is older, then we have mentioned the download links for supported Unlockers.
Dinesh
Dinesh is the founder of Sysprobs and written more than 400 articles. Enthusiast in Microsoft and cloud technologies with more than 15 years of IT experience.
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204 thoughts on “Download & Install macOS Unlocker for VMware Workstation in Windows 10, 8.1/7”
plzzz give me a link to download El-captain which can be installed in vmware
ubuntu 15.10
vmware-workstation-full-12.0.1-3160714.x86_64.bundle
root@rumpumpel1:/usr/data/downloads/unlocker207# ./lnx-install.sh
VMware Unlocker 2.0.7
===============================
Copyright: Dave Parsons 2011-15
Creating backup folder…
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx-debug’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx-debug’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-vmx-stats’ -> ‘./backup/vmware-vmx-stats’
‘/usr/lib/vmware/lib/libvmwarebase.so/libvmwarebase.so’ -> ‘./backup/libvmwarebase.so’
Patching…
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “./unlocker.py”, line 402, in
main()
File “./unlocker.py”, line 352, in main
vmx_version = subprocess.check_output([“vmware”, “-v”])
File “/usr/lib/python2.7/subprocess.py”, line 573, in check_output
raise CalledProcessError(retcode, cmd, output=output)
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command ‘[‘vmware’, ‘-v’]’ returned non-zero exit status 255
Same issue here also.
ubuntu 15.10 as well..
Upgraded VMWare Workstation 11 to 12 and Yosemite would freeze at boot. I would say it was stuck at 50% boot with the Apple logo. Install Locker 2.04 and higher and now boots through OK. Thank you so much!
Anybody successful on getting imessage to work. Vmware Workstation 12 running El Capitan Vmware Image. If so please share!
When i run unlocker cmd as administrator it just flashes up and does not seem to patch vmware
Tried everything i can think of but must be something simple i’ve missed please help thanks
It’s really worked!, Thanks a lot
It does not work for me!
Windows 7 32, VMware 10. Using the unlocker208 it does not show the Apple option to make a virtual machine. I need some suggestions.
ppleSMCTableV1 Table : 0xb61b10
+LKS Key:
004 0xb61be8 +LKS 01 flag 0x90 0x1401302e0L 01
OSK0 Key Before:
435 0xb69520 OSK0 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 6F 75 72 68 61 72 64 77 6F 72 6B 62 79 74 68 65 73 65 77 6F 72 64 73 67 75 61 72 64 65 64 70 6C
OSK0 Key After:
435 0xb69520 OSK0 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 6F 75 72 68 61 72 64 77 6F 72 6B 62 79 74 68 65 73 65 77 6F 72 64 73 67 75 61 72 64 65 64 70 6C
OSK1 Key Before:
436 0xb69568 OSK1 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 65 61 73 65 64 6F 6E 74 73 74 65 61 6C 28 63 29 41 70 70 6C 65 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72 49 6E 63
OSK1 Key After:
436 0xb69568 OSK1 32 ch8* 0x90 0x1401302e0L 65 61 73 65 64 6F 6E 74 73 74 65 61 6C 28 63 29 41 70 70 6C 65 43 6F 6D 70 75 74 65 72 49 6E 63
GOS Patching: C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmwarebase.dll
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “”, line 413, in
File “”, line 404, in main
File “”, line 283, in patchbase
IOError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: u’C:\\Program Files (x86)\\VMware\\VMware Workstation\\vmwarebase.dll’
unlocker returned -1
Getting VMware Tools…
it does not work for me!, cannot write to vmwarebase.dll
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people about this topic,
however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Anything in the works for VMware 12.1? The current locker doesn’t seem to work, unless, maybe, on a clean install of 12.1, which I haven’t tried – I have been re-applying the unlock after the update of VMware.
…and MAYBE I’ve even applied the unlock only once after an update – not too sure.
Any comments appreciated.
I have workstation 12 with unlocker 2.0.8 on Win 10, trying to install Yosemite VM. It is stuck in the Apple Logo screen with black BG, half way through the bar. Anyone can help?
Hi there, I have Yosemite DMG file. How can i use that in vmware?
Yes you can when chosing your iso file in the corner instead of iso files click all files then double click your dmg.
Thank you so much! I was stressing out over how my Mac OS X Yosemite in VMWare wouldn’t load.
Hi I am on Windows 7 and have VMware workstation 10. Unlocker 2.8 didn’t work so I downloaded 1.3 version, which worked and VMware now shows Mac OS option but it doesn’t show 10.11 version but shows till 10.9
Will I have to use VMware 11 or 12 for El Capitan.
How can I use Yosemite vmdk file ? please help
Hi. I have runned OS X Guest successfully on Windows.
Now I want to use the same virtual machine on Ubuntu 16.04.
Is there any unlocker for the Linux version of VMware Workstation 12 Player?
Thanks
i was just looking it up since i would like to switch
from my Macbook to a “Notebook” but having linux and mac.
there is a Section about linux if you havent tried it already