Select and click Next.
VMware Workstation and Player are designed to run a wide array of operating systems, from various Linux distributions to multiple Windows versions. However, due to Apple's End-User License Agreement (EULA), which historically restricted macOS to Apple-branded hardware, VMware products running on Windows or Linux systems deliberately hide or disable the "Apple Mac OS X" guest OS option. This is not a technical oversight but a policy-driven limitation. The necessary code to support macOS is often present within the VMware binaries, but it is deactivated by software flags. The unlocker's primary role is to re-enable these hidden features, allowing your VMware Workstation 12 to recognize and boot macOS installation media just as it would for Windows or Linux.
If you're using VMware Workstation 12 on a Linux host, the process is similar. Inside the Unlocker folder, you will find a file named lnx-install.sh . Open a terminal in that folder, and run the following command to apply the patch:
Explore macOS functionality without purchasing a Mac. vmware 12 unlocker 208 for mac os
When you run the Unlocker, it creates a special darwin.iso file (the macOS version of VMware Tools) within your VMware installation directory. To install it, simply go to the VMware menu of your running macOS virtual machine and select . This will mount the darwin.iso in macOS and allow you to run the installer.
Reboot host, right-click win-install.cmd , and choose Run as Administrator.
If you are a virtualization enthusiast or an IT professional who has been in the industry for a few years, you have likely encountered the desire to run macOS on your Windows or Linux PC. Select and click Next
Automatically downloads the correct darwin.iso file containing VMware Tools for macOS. Prerequisites and Requirements
If the option still does not appear, the patching script likely failed to find your VMware installation path.
Right-click win-install.cmd and select . A Command Prompt window will launch automatically. This is not a technical oversight but a
If you still want to proceed with version 12:
It updates vmwarebase.dll or vmwarebase.so to inject the necessary definitions and GUI elements required to show "Apple Mac OS X" in the New Virtual Machine Wizard.
sudo bash lnx-install.sh
because VMware does not natively support macOS guests on non-Apple hardware. 🛠️ Step 1: Prerequisites