VMware Workstation users are experiencing significant issues with the software’s automatic update functionality following Broadcom’s acquisition of the company. The built-in update system, which normally checks for new versions either at startup or when manually triggered via Help > Software Updates, is now generating certificate errors instead of downloading updates.

## What’s Happening

The problem stems from a URL redirection issue. When VMware Workstation attempts to connect to its update server at https://softwareupdate.broadcom.com/cds, users are being redirected to Broadcom’s generic support page (https://support.broadcom.com/). This redirection triggers certificate validation errors, displaying the message: “A certificate error occurred while connecting to the update server. Check your Internet settings or contact your system administrator.”

## Impact on Users

This change has forced users to:
– Manually log in to Broadcom’s website
– Search for the appropriate VMware updates
– Download and install updates themselves

The situation is particularly problematic because users may not realize the automatic update system is broken until they attempt to use it, potentially missing critical security patches and bug fixes.

## Current Status

Broadcom has not issued any official statement or workaround for the issue. BleepingComputer has confirmed the problem persists even in VMware Workstation 17.6.3, the latest available version. The change was implemented without prior notice, causing frustration among the user community.

While VMware Workstation continues to function normally otherwise, the broken update mechanism represents a significant degradation in user experience and could potentially impact system security if important updates are missed.