The combination of host-only networking (VMnet2), paravirtual SCSI, and the stability of build 20904516 creates an ideal environment for moving large files securely and for free—provided you leverage the trial period wisely or pair it with free transfer tools.
While VMware has moved on to version 17.x and subscription models, power users cling to 16.2.5 because it represents the last version before aggressive license checks and feature reduction. For transferring confidential databases, legal discovery files, or massive video projects, this build gives you military-grade isolation: data never touches your physical network, never hits a hard drive that leaves your building, and never risks third-party cloud breaches.
Final Pro Tip: After completing your large file transfer, use sha256sum (Linux) or Get-FileHash (PowerShell) to verify every block. A secure transfer is only as good as its integrity check.
Need to transfer more than 10TB? Consider VMware’s vSphere Hypervisor (free ESXi) with a direct 10GbE crossover cable—but that’s a guide for another day. For 99% of large, secure, offline transfers, VMware Workstation Pro 16.2.5 + VMnet2 is your ultimate free solution.
Report: VMware Workstation Pro 16.2.5 Build 20904516 VMware Workstation Pro 16.2.5 is an older, specific build released around December 2022
. While it is no longer the current version, it remains relevant for users requiring specific legacy features like virtual printer driver support , which was removed in later version 17 releases. 1. Product Status and Licensing Availability Need to transfer more than 10TB
: Broadcom (who acquired VMware) has made VMware Workstation Pro free for all users
(personal, commercial, and educational) as of November 2024. End of Support : General support for version 16 officially ended on December 22, 2022
. This means it no longer receives official security patches or technical support. Modern Compatibility
: It may struggle to run on the latest Linux kernels (e.g., 6.12+) or modern Windows 11 updates without manual patching. 2. Security Considerations
Using build 16.2.5 carries notable security risks compared to newer versions like 17.x: Setup: VM Settings > Options > Shared Folders
VMware Workstation Pro (including version 16.2.5 Build 20904516) is now free for everyone
—including commercial, personal, and educational users—as of November 11, 2024 Securely Transferring Large Files
For transferring large files between your host and guest without using external networks or slow drag-and-drop methods, use these built-in VMware features: VMware Shared Folders (Recommended for Performance)
This is the fastest method for large files as it uses a direct driver-level connection. How to setup VM > Settings > Options > Shared Folders "Always enabled" to select a folder on your host. : You can set the folder to "Read-only"
if you want the VM to access files without being able to modify or infect the host's original copies. Mounting an ISO Image (Air-Gapped Security) VM connects locally
If you need maximum security and want to keep the VM completely isolated from the host's filesystem, use a tool like to package your large files into an In VMware, go to VM > Settings > Hardware > CD/DVD and select "Use ISO image file" to mount it as a virtual drive inside the guest. Copy-VMGuestFile (For Automation) Technical users can use the Copy-VMGuestFile
cmdlet via VMware PowerCLI. This allows secure file transfers through the VMware Tools "VIX" API without requiring any network configuration on the guest. Official Download & Installation
To get the legitimate, free version of VMware Workstation Pro: VMware Fusion and Workstation are Now Free for All Users
For large files, Shared Folders offer the highest throughput with the lowest overhead.
VM Settings > Options > Shared Folders > Always enabled. Map a host drive to a guest drive letter/mount point.Option A — VMware Shared Folders
Option B — Drag-and-drop or copy-paste
Option C — Host runs an SMB/HTTP/SSH server, VM connects locally