A major addition for developers was vctl , a command-line tool for building, running, and managing containers (like Docker) directly within Fusion without needing a full VM.
This update improved 3D graphics performance by supporting DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.3, which was essential for running engineering software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks on a Mac.
For those running CAD software (like SolidWorks), graphics "glitches" or disappearing colors were frequently reported. A known workaround is to disable "Accelerate 3D Graphics" in the VM settings or force "Open GL mode" within the guest application.
If you are using a newer Mac with Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) , version 11.5.0 is not compatible. You must use the latest version of VMware Fusion to run Windows 11 or Linux on ARM-based hardware. Troubleshooting Common Issues
This version introduced several key features that improved the desktop virtualization experience:
A common bug involved VMs failing to recognize USB devices. This often required a clean reinstall of VMware Tools or manual permissions adjustments in System Preferences under "Security & Privacy".
Are you looking to install version 11.5.0 on an , or are you moving to a new M-series Mac ? VMware Fusion Pro 11.5.0 on macOS Catalina - USB Issues