How to Create a Virtual Machine on Your PC with VMware Workstation

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to create a virtual machine on your Windows PC? You can use VMware to install other operating systems, including earlier versions of Windows and Linux, without having to dual-boot or format your hard drive. This wikiHow article teaches you how to create a new virtual machine in VMware on your PC.

1

Open VMware.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You will need to have the installation disc or ISO image as well as any necessary licenses for the operating system that you want to install.
    • You can install most distributions of Linux as well as any version of Windows.
    2. Advertisement
2

Create a new "typical" virtual machine.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can create a new virtual machine in the File menu. Here's how:
    • Click File .
    • Click New Virtual Machine .
    • Select Typical . VMware will prompt you to insert your installation media.
3

Choose your installation media.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If VMware recognizes the operating system, it will enable Easy Installation. You can choose from any of these options:
    • Physical disc – Insert the installation disc for the operating system you want to install and then select the drive in VMware.
    • ISO image – Browse to the location of the ISO file on your computer.
    • Install operating system later. This will create a blank virtual disk. You will need to manually install the operating system later.
    2. Advertisement
4

Enter your operating system details.

PDF download Download Article
  1. For Windows and other licensed operating systems, you will need to enter your product key. You will also need to enter your preferred username and a password if you want one.
    • If you are not using Easy Install, you will need to browse the list for the operating system you are installing.
5

Name your virtual machine.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It will also help distinguish between multiple virtual computers running different operating systems.
    2. Advertisement
6

Set the disk size.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The space you allocate will act as the installed operating system's hard drive. Make sure to set enough to install any programs that you want to run in the virtual machine.
7

Customize your virtual hardware.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This can be useful if you are trying to run an older program that only supports certain hardware. Setting this is optional.
    2. Advertisement
8

Set the virtual machine to start.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don't check this box, you can select your virtual machine from the list in VMware and click the Power On button.
9

Wait for your installation to complete.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you provided all of the correct information during the setup of the virtual machine, then you should not have to do anything.
    • If you didn't enter your product key or create a username during the virtual machine setup, you will most likely be prompted during the installation of the operating system.
    2. Advertisement
10

Make sure you have VMware Tools.

PDF download Download Article
  1. . Once the operating system is installed, the program VMware Tools should be automatically installed. Check that it appears on the desktop or in the program files for the newly installed operating system.
    • VMware tools are configuration options for your virtual machine, and keeps your virtual machine up to date with any software changes.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install macOS on a Windows PC: Easy-to-Follow Tutorials
      How to
      Install MacOS on a Virtual Machine Using VirtualBox
      How to
      Install VirtualBox
      How to
      Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox
      How to
      Make a Hackintosh in a Virtualbox
      How to
      Use VMware Workstation
      How to
      Increase Disk Space in VMware
      How to
      Install Windows 7 on a VMware Workstation
      How to
      Create a Virtual Networks by Using VMware Workstation
      How to
      Install Windows 8 in VirtualBox
      How to
      Prevent Easy Install of Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation
      How to
      Install Windows XP on Ubuntu with VirtualBox
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,419 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement