Avoids complex installation steps on your primary OS by using a VM.
The "VMware 9" designation refers to the version of the virtual hardware. By using a virtual machine, the software environment is "frozen" in a state where the drivers and licenses work perfectly (usually Windows XP or Windows 7 32-bit), regardless of what operating system your actual laptop is running. Why Use a Pre-Configured ZIP?
The .zip file typically contains a pre-configured "Virtual Machine" (VM).