How to Install VMware Workstation and Create a Virtual Machine with Screenshots

SeekLinux banner showing VMware Workstation installation and virtual machine setup on Linux

Virtualization is one of the best ways to practice Linux safely without affecting your main system. VMware Workstation is a free and powerful tool that lets you run multiple operating systems (like Linux) inside your existing OS, because it is expensive and not a feasible solution to use physical resources for labs and practice. Most of the time, physical resources are not available easily and in the required quantity. In such situations, virtualization is the best companion. By the end of this post, you'll know exactly how to install VMware on Windows and perform VMware virtual machine setup for your preferred operating system.

In the previous post, we explained Linux desktop and CLI environments. In this VMware Workstation tutorial, we'll provide a complete VMware Workstation installation guide with step-by-step instructions and clear screenshots. Now you’ll learn how to install VMware Workstation and create your first virtual machine.

What You'll Learn

  •        How to install VMware Workstation  on Windows
  •        How to create and configure a new virtual machine
  •        Customization of virtual machine

Requirements

  •        A Window or Linux system with internet access
  •        4 GB RAM or more (recommended) but the host should contain at least 32 GB RAM
  •    20 GB of free disk space minimum but host should contain at least 1 TB

Note: more ram and disk space is required because host will entertain more than one virtual machine at the same time.

Step 1. Download VMware Workstation

      1.    Visit the official VMware download page:

      https://www.vmware.com/go/downloadplayer

      2.    Choose the appropriate version:

  •        Windows 64-bit for Window users
  •        Linux bundle for Linux users

3.  Download the installer and run it as Administrator


Step 2. Install VMware Workstation on Windows


1. Double-click the downloaded .exe file

A window opens to ask, do you want to install this app with option yes and no. click yes to install.

2. Welcome to the VMware Workstation Pro Setup, click next

VMware Workstation Linux installer setup wizard screenshot
3. Accept the license agreement and click next

      4.   Select the installation destination and any additional features

   Select the enhanced keyboard driver if you want and click next


5. Select check for product updates on startup and click next

      6.   Select both check boxes and click next



        7.   Click install to install the VMware workstation and enter License key if you have otherwise skip it for later


     8.  Click on finish to complete the installation


Note: You may need to restart your PC after installation.

Step 3. How to Create a New Virtual Machine

 1. Double-click the icon of VMware Workstation on the Desktop

       2. Click on Create a New Virtual Machine

Open VMware Workstation and click on New Virtual Machine or go to File and click on New Virtual Machine, you can use the shortcut Ctrl +N to create New Virtual Machine as well.

Screenshot of VMware Workstation create new virtual machine wizard


     3. Select typical and click next

      4.  Guest Operating System Installation

Options available as disc installer, ISO file and I will install the Operating system later. It’s your choice, you can select the disc to load the installer media or upload an ISO file for installation. I will select the last option for the reason that I will explain in the next step.

5. Operating System and Version
Select operating system and its version then click next


6. Choose Location of Virtual Machine
Name your virtual machine as per your desire as Ubuntu Test server etc. Click browse and Select location of virtual machine and click next.


7. Specify Disk Capacity
Enter the required disk capacity that fulfil your needs and click next


8. Click finish to create the virtual machine

Finally, the virtual machine is created and ready to install the operating system.


Step 4.  Customization of Virtual Machine

Virtual machine settings can be customized further as per the requirement. Click on edit virtual machine settings.

     1.   Edit property settings

 VMware Workstation virtual machine hardware settings configuration screen

     

2. Click on Options

Linux desktop running inside VMware Workstation virtual machine window

Enable or disable the options according to your needs.

     3. Add extra hardware

Click the add button on edit property settings and add extra hardware like a disk, network

adapter etc.

Select the required component and click Next to follow the instructions to add the new hardware.

Final Thoughts


VMware Workstation is perfect for learning Linux, testing tools or running multiple systems on one machine. Setting up virtualization is straightforward when you know how to install VMware Workstation and create a virtual machine in VMware step by step. With the help of this VMware Workstation guide and detailed screenshots, even beginners can easily follow along and complete the process. Once your VMware virtual machine setup is complete, you'll have a powerful and flexible environment ready for learning, testing and real-world projects. Whether you're practicing for certification or just exploring, a virtual machine is your best starting point.


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