Supported CPU features may differ between different versions of VMware Fusion or macOS

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

Some CPU features will not be supported in virtual machines running on future versions of VMware Fusion on macOS 11. This may cause incompatibility when attempting to restore a suspended VM or snapshot. In particular, support for Intel's Memory Protection Extensions (MPX) and Memory Protection Keys features will not be present.

Environment

VMware Fusion 11.x
VMware Fusion Pro 11.x
VMware Fusion Pro 12.x
VMware Fusion 12.x

Resolution

Beginning with VMware Fusion 11.5.6, these (support for Intel's Memory Protection Extensions (MPX) and Memory Protection Keys) features will no longer be exposed to VMs at power-on in order to minimize disruptions during future upgrades. Setting the cpuid.ulm.fusionCompatability = FALSE in the VM's config file will continue to expose Memory Protection Keys, but may limit future compatibility. The MPX feature is deprecated.
For more information see MPX Feature Deprecation in Virtual Machines (76799).

When running VMware Fusion 11.5.6, if either of these features are exposed to the VM, a warning message will be displayed when suspending the VM, when taking a snapshot, or when restoring a snapshot. In order to ensure future compatibility, power-off the virtual machine, then power-on. Resuming and then re-suspending a VM on 11.5.6 will not resolve the compatibility issue.