VMWare Workstation is a program that allows you to run virtual machines on physical computers. Virtual machines run like physical machines, and are suitable for trying out new operating systems like Linux, visiting sites you don't trust, creating a special computer environment for children, testing the effects of computer viruses, and so on. You can even print and connect USB storage media to the virtual machine. Read this guide to get the most out of VMware Workstation.
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Method 1 of 3: Installing VMware Workstation
Step 1. Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements
Since you will be running the operating system inside the operating system, the requirements for the VMWare Workstation system are quite high. If your computer does not meet the system requirements, it may not be able to run VMWare effectively.
- Your computer must have a 64-bit processor.
- VMWare supports both Windows and Linux operating systems.
- The computer must have sufficient memory to run operating systems (both real and virtual) as well as the applications within each operating system. The minimum memory that must be installed on the computer is 1GB, but we recommend installing 3GB or more.
- The computer must have 1.5GB of free space to install VMWare Workstation, and at least 1GB for each virtual operating system you install.
Step 2. Download VMWare
You can download the VMWare installation program in the Download Center on the VMWare website. Select the latest version and click on the link to download the program. You need to sign in with a VMWare account to download.
- You will be asked to read and review the license agreement before downloading the file.
- You may only have one version of VMWare Workstation installed at a time.
Step 3. Install VMWare Workstation
After downloading the file, right-click on the file and select “Run as administrator”.
- You will be asked to reread the program license.
- Most users can select the "Typical Installation" option.
- At the end of the installation process, you will be asked to enter a license code.
- After the installation is complete, restart your computer.
Method 2 of 3: Installing the Operating System
Step 1. Open VMWare
The process of installing a virtual operating system is similar to the process of installing an operating system on a physical computer. You will need the operating system installation CD/ISO image, as well as the license for the operating system you will be installing.
You can install most Linux distributions, as well as any version of Windows
Step 2. Click "File" > "New Virtual Machine" > "Typical"
VMWare will ask you to insert the installation media. If your installation media is recognized by VMWare, the Easy Installation option will be active.
- If your installation media is a CD/DVD, insert the operating system installation CD/DVD and select the drive in VMWare.
- If your media is an ISO image, choose an ISO image from your computer.
- You can also choose to install the operating system later. An empty virtual drive will be provided by VMWare, and you will need to install the operating system later.
Step 3. Enter information about the operating system
For Windows and other paid operating systems, you must enter the product code. You will also need to enter a username (and password if desired).
If you don't use the "Easy Install" option, you'll need to select the operating system you want to install
Step 4. Name the operating system
The operating system name will help you identify the operating system on the physical computer, and make it easier for you to distinguish virtual computers running different operating systems.
Step 5. Set the storage size
You can set aside any free space on your computer in a virtual machine as storage media in that virtual machine. Make sure you set aside enough space to install programs on the virtual machine.
Step 6. Set up virtual hardware
Click "Customize Hardware" to set what hardware the virtual machine will simulate. This optional option is useful if you want to run legacy programs that only support certain hardware.
Step 7. Set the virtual machine to start as soon as it is created
Check the “Power on this virtual machine after creation” checkbox if you want to start the virtual machine as soon as the virtual machine is finished. If you uncheck this box, you can select a virtual machine from the list in VMWare, and click the "Power On" button.
Step 8. Wait for the installation process to complete
After you start the virtual machine for the first time, your operating system will begin to install. If you entered the correct information during virtual machine creation, you don't need to do anything.
If you did not enter the product code or username when creating the virtual machine, you may be prompted to enter it during the operating system installation process
Step 9. Check if VMWare Tools is installed
After the operating system is installed, VMWare Tools will generally be installed as well. Check if the VMWare Tools icon appears on the desktop or "Program Files" on a newly installed operating system.
VMware Tools is configuration software for your virtual machines, and is useful for updating virtual machines regarding changes to VMWare
Method 3 of 3: Browsing VMWare
Step 1. Start the operating system by clicking on the VM menu and selecting the operating system you want to start
You can choose to start the operating system normally or enter the virtual BIOS directly.
Step 2. Shut down the operating system by selecting the operating system, then clicking the VM menu
Then, select the "Power" option.
- Power Off – The virtual machine will be turned off like a computer that has lost power.
- Shut Down Guest - This menu will send a "shutdown" signal so that the virtual machine will be shut down like when you selected the option to shut down the computer in the operating system.
- You can also shut down the virtual machine by clicking the "shut down" option in the virtual operating system.
Step 3. Move files between the virtual machine and the physical computer
Moving files between a computer and a virtual machine can be done simply by dragging and dropping files. Files can be moved from computer to virtual machine and vice versa, or even from one virtual machine to another.
- When you drag and drop files, the original files will remain in their original location. A copy of the file will be made in the new location.
- You can also move files by copying and pasting files.
- Virtual machines can also connect to shared folders.
Step 4. Add the printer to your virtual machine
You can add any printer to the virtual machine without needing to install a "driver", as long as the printer is already installed on a physical computer.
- Select the virtual machine you want to add the printer to.
- Click the VM menu, then select Settings.
- Click Hardware > Add. The Add Hardware wizard will appear.
- Select "Printer", then "Finish". The virtual printer will be usable when you restart the virtual machine.
Step 5. Connect the USB drive to the virtual machine
Virtual machines can connect to USB drives just like your physical machine. The USB drive cannot be accessed by both physical and virtual machines at the same time.
- If the virtual machine is in the active window, the USB drive will automatically connect to the virtual machine when the drive is connected.
- If the virtual machine is not in an active window or is in an off state, select the virtual machine, then click the "VM" menu > "Removable Devices" > "Connect". The USB drive will connect to your virtual machine.
Step 6. Save the virtual machine "snapshot"
A "snapshot" is a backup of the virtual machine's state, and allows you to restore the virtual machine to the state it was in when the "snapshot" was taken whenever you need it.
- Select the virtual machine, then click the "VM" menu > "Snapshot" > "Take Snapshot".
- Give a name for "snapshot". You can also write a description if you want.
- Click "OK" to save the "snapshot".
- Load the saved "snapshot" by clicking the VM menu > Snapshot. Select the "snapshot" you want to load from the list, then click Go To.
Step 7. Recognize keyboard shortcuts
You can use Ctrl and other key combinations to navigate the virtual machine. For example, Ctrl+Alt+Enter displays the active virtual machine in full-screen mode, and can also be used to switch between virtual machines. Ctrl+Alt+Tab can be used to switch between virtual machines when the mouse is used by one of the virtual machines.
