Install VMware Workstation and Create a Virtual Machine on Your PC

VMware Workstation is a computer emulator. It allows you to create virtual machines in which you can install operating systems as if they were physical machines. You might want to emulate an operating system because you want to run a program that isn't compatible with the host operating system (the operating system that you are installing VMware Workstation on), or because you want to test malware without putting an actual computer at risk. This article shows you how to install VMware Workstation 11 and create or open a virtual machine.

Steps

Install VMware Workstation

Download the Setup File

  1. Make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements to run VMware Workstation 11. Click here for a list of the requirements.
    • Quick overview:
      • Operating System: Windows or Linux 64-bit
      • CPU:
        • To run 32-bit virtual machines: 64-bit; 1.3 GHz or higher
        • To run 64-bit virtual machines: the above requirements along with VT-x support if you have an Intel processor (make sure that it is enabled in the BIOS), or the above requirements along with long mode support if you have an AMD processor.
      • RAM: 1 GB is minimum, but 2 GB is recommended
      • GPU: at least a 16 or 32 bit display adapter (you probably have a 32-bit display adapter). If you want Windows Aero graphics to work in Windows virtual machines, then you should have either an NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT graphics card or newer or an ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphics or newer.
      • HDD space: 3.5 GB is required to install the program alone, but virtual machines will take up even more space.
  2. Log into your My VMware account or create a new one (if you are not logged in). Click here to open the log-in page, and either enter the log-in details of an account and click the Log In button, or click Register to create a new account.
    • You might be able to find the log-in details of a public account on this website.
  3. Download VMware Workstation. Once you have logged into an account, click here to open the download page for VMware Workstation and download it.

Set Up a Typical VMware Workstation Installation

  1. Run the setup file. Double-click the file that you downloaded. If the User Account Control or Open File - Security Warning dialog appears, click Yes or Run respectively.
  2. Click Next > to dismiss the Welcome dialog box.
  3. Select the I accept the terms in the license agreement option then click Next >.
  4. Click the Typical button.
  5. Choose the directory in which you want to install VMware Workstation. To install it into a directory other than the default one, click Change... and browse to the desired directory. After deciding on where to install VMware Workstation, click Next >.
    • If you install VMware Workstation on a network drive, you cannot run it when the network drive is inaccessible.
  6. Decide if you want VMware Workstation to check for updates every time it is opened, then click Next >.
  7. Decide if want to send information about VMware Workstation's performance on your computer to VMware. This information is used to help improve the program. Click Next > after you have made your decision.
  8. Select the locations that you want setup to create shortcuts to VMware Workstation in. Choices include the Desktop and the Start menu. Deselect any shortcuts you do not want the installer to create and then click Next >.
  9. The installer is ready to begin installing VMware Workstation. If you want to change any options, click < Back to return to them, change them, then click Next > until you reach this screen again once you've finished. Once you are ready to begin installing VMware Workstation, click Continue.
  10. Register VMware Workstation. Type a license key and click Enter >.
  11. Close setup. Click the Finish button once setup completes its operations.

Set Up a Custom VMware Workstation Installation (advanced)

  1. Run the setup file. Double-click the file that you downloaded. If the User Account Control or Open File - Security Warning dialog appears, click Yes or Run respectively.
  2. Click Next > to dismiss the Welcome dialog box.
  3. Select the I accept the terms in the license agreement option then click Next >.
  4. Click the Custom button.
  5. Choose the components to install. Deselect components of VMware Workstation that you do not want to install, and select components to include them in the installation.
  6. Choose the directory in which you want to install VMware Workstation. To install it into a directory other than the default one, click Change... and browse to the desired directory. After deciding on where to install VMware Workstation, click Next >.
    • If you install VMware Workstation on a network drive, you cannot run it when the network drive is inaccessible.
  7. Choose the directory that you want VMware Workstation to create virtual machines in by default. Click Change... and select the desired directory to change this setting, or leave the setting as is for the default virtual machine folder.
  8. Choose the port that you want the VMware Workstation Server Component to use, then click Next >. This option can usually be left alone.
  9. Decide if you want VMware Workstation to check for updates every time it is opened, then click Next >.
  10. Decide if want to send information about VMware Workstation's performance on your computer to VMware. This information is used to help improve the program. Click Next > after you have made your decision.
  11. Select the locations that you want setup to create shortcuts to VMware Workstation in. Choices include the Desktop and the Start menu. Deselect any shortcuts you do not want the installer to create and then click Next >.
  12. The installer is ready to begin installing VMware Workstation. If you want to change any options, click < Back to return to them, change them, then click Next > until you reach this screen again once you've finished. Once you are ready to begin installing VMware Workstation, click Continue.
  13. Register VMware Workstation. Type a license key and click Enter >.
  14. Close setup. Click the Finish button once setup completes its operations.

Add Virtual Machines

Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. Open VMware Workstation.
  2. Start the New Virtual Machine Wizard.

    Choose File > New Virtual Machine to begin creating your virtual machine.
  3. Choose the Typical virtual machine configuration option, then click Next >.
  4. Select the installation media that you want to use to install the virtual machine's operating system. Click Installer disc then select a disc drive if you have a physical setup disc inserted into your computer. If you have an ISO file (copy of a physical disc), click Installer disc image file (iso) then select it. Click Next > after choosing your options.
    • If VMware cannot recognize which operating system the disc/ISO file is supposed to install, you may have to select it manually after performing this step.
    • If VMware Workstation recognizes that the installation media you chose is for Windows XP or later, you might be asked to enter the product key (optional), username (required), and password (optional), and select the version of Windows to install (some Windows setup discs enable you to select one out of several versions of the operating system to install). After providing the information and selecting the version of Windows to be installed, click Next >.
      • VMware Workstation asks for this information because Easy Install (automatic installation) is supported for Windows XP and later. If you want to skip Easy Install, scroll down to the Tips section before performing Step 6.
    • If the selected installation media installs a support Linux distro (such as Ubuntu), you might be asked to enter your name, username, and password. After providing the information, click Next >.
      • VMware Workstation asks for this information because Easy Install (automatic installation) is supported for the operating system. If you want to skip Easy Install, scroll down to the Tips section before performing Step 6.
  5. Name the virtual machine and choose a location to create the virtual machine in. If you want to change the directory that the virtual machine is to be installed in, click Browse... and select it, or edit the path manually. Click Next > after choosing your options.
  6. Select the size that you want the virtual machine's hard drive to be and click Next >.
    • The amount of space that you give to the virtual hard disk will not be immediately allocated. The space taken up by the virtual hard drive's file on your actual hard drive equals the total size of the files written to it. For example, if you create a 100 GB virtual HDD, its file will take up no space on your real HDD, but if you install an operating system that takes up 5 GB of space in the virtual HDD, the file's size will increase to 5 GB.
  7. Click Finish to create the virtual machine.

Add an Existing Virtual Machine

  1. Navigate to the directory of the virtual machine.
  2. Double-click the .vmx file inside of the directory.
    • When you start the virtual machine, you might receive an error. Click I copied it if this happens.

Tips

  • To disable Easy Install:
    • Uncheck the check box next to Power on this virtual machine after creation before performing Step 6 and wait for the disk to be created.
    • Click Edit virtual machine settings on the virtual machine's tab.
    • If applicable, click CD/DVD under the Device column, delete the text under Use ISO image file, and select Use physical drive.
    • If applicable, click Floppy under the Device column, delete the text under Use floppy image file, and select Use physical drive.
    • Click OK.

Things You'll Need

  • A computer with host operating system that meet the system requirements for running VMware Workstation.
  • The VMware Workstation installation software and serial number.
  • Your guest operating system installation disks.

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