Supporting DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1, 16.2.4 allows for hardware-accelerated 3D graphics. This is essential for CAD work, light gaming, and modern UI rendering within the VM.
Version 16.2.4 was largely defined by its security patches. In an era of increasing firmware-level vulnerabilities, VMware used this release to address specific CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) related to privilege escalation and code execution within the hypervisor. For enterprise users, this version served as a "safe harbor" release—a stable point in the software's life cycle that was reliable enough for production-level lab work. The Legacy of the 16.x Branch VMware Workstation Pro 16.2.4
Workstation 16.2.4 arrived at a turning point for VMware. Shortly after this era, the company moved toward version 17 and was eventually acquired by Broadcom, which led to a significant shift in licensing models (making Workstation Pro free for personal use). Thus, 16.2.4 is remembered as one of the final versions of the "classic" VMware era, known for its robust local-only management and heavy-duty performance. Conclusion Supporting DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4
At its core, Workstation Pro 16.2.4 is a Type-2 hypervisor. Unlike Type-1 hypervisors (like ESXi) that run directly on hardware, Workstation Pro runs as an application on Windows or Linux. This version continued the series’ transition toward a more modern architecture, specifically leveraging the Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHP). This allows VMware to coexist with Windows features like Hyper-V and Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), which historically caused significant software conflicts. Key Features and Capabilities Shortly after this era, the company moved toward