It is free, safe, and reliable. If you cannot install it because you lack admin rights, speak to your IT department rather than risking your security with a cracked portable version.

But what if you want to run it directly from a USB stick? What if you don’t have admin rights on a work or school computer? This leads many users to search for a download.

Here is the reality check, the risks involved, and the legal alternatives. First, let’s clear up the confusion. VMware Workstation is not designed to be portable.