Unable to license VMware Workstation for Linux

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

• The Enter License Key button does not display in the license key entry field when you select Help> Enter License > Step 2: Enter license key.
• After installing a trial version of VMware Workstation for Linux, you are unable to enter a license key.

Environment

• VMware Workstation 11.x (for Linux)
• VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Linux)
• VMware Workstation 6.x (Linux)
• VMware Workstation 7.x (Linux)
• VMware Workstation 10.x (Linux)
• VMware Workstation 9.x (Linux)
• VMware Workstation 8.x (Linux)
• VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Linux)

Cause

In some instances, installing from the command line using sudo does not elevate the installation to the correct permissions. As a result, the license key entry field is not presented.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, you must manually invoke the serial number entry using the steps below.

1. Open a terminal window. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt.
2. Run this command to open the Enter License Key dialog:
   
   sudo /usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware-enter-serial

To ensure this issue does not occur on a new installation, use these best practices:

1. When installing Workstation for Linux, log in as root (and not just using sudo privileges).
2. For Ubuntu, from a console, type:
   
   sudo su
3. Enter your password when prompted
4. Then, proceed with the installation of VMware Workstation:
   
   For other Linux distros, from a console, type:
   
   su

Note: Installing from a root console rather than from a console with sudo privileges ensures that the license entry box is presented correctly.

Additional Information

Opening a command or shell prompt