Install
Windows 7 in VMware Virtual Machine
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| This is
simply a quick and easy tutorial for those
unfamiliar with procedures for installing an
operating system in a VMware virtual machine. It
isn't intended to coerce you into switching over all
your systems to virtual machines. As handy as they
are, they aren't for everybody. |
| I think it
pretty much goes without saying that to install
Windows 7 in a virtual machine you first need to
have the virtual machine program software installed.
There, that should eliminate the e-mails saying I
didn't specifically state a virtual machine program
was needed. I'm using VMware Workstation for this
tutorial but the same principles apply to just about
any virtual machine product. |
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Install the virtual
machine application and fire it up. This is going to
be a new virtual machine, so either click the New
Virtual Machine icon or use the File Menu to create
a new virtual machine. |
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The New Virtual
Machine Wizard opens and you have a choice between
Typical or Custom configurations. In this scenario
it really doesn't make much difference which one you
choose, but for this tutorial I'm going to use
Custom just so you can see what options are
available. |
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This is where you pick
your hardware compatibility settings. Use the drop
down menu and look through the different options.
Each option supports less sophisticated hardware
such as restricting memory, eliminating number of
processors or even limiting the virtual machine to
older USB standards. I'm using Workstation 7.1
compatibility. |
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Choose how the
operating system will be installed. If you are
installing from a DVD then naturally you are going
to select the Installer Disc option. However, if you
have an .iso file for installation, select the
Installer Disc Image File (.iso) option. It is by
far the fastest and easiest method. The speed
difference between a DVD and .iso file installation
is so pronounced that you might want to consider
creating an .iso file from the DVD media just for
convenience sake.
If you choose the Installer Disc or Installer Disc
Image File (.iso) method there will be an Easy
Install option available in VMware. This allows for
an unattended install for recognized operating
systems, and yes, Win 7 media is recognized, both 32
and 64 bit versions.
There really isn't a good reason not to use the Easy
Install option. The reason I chose not to use it in
this tutorial is so you can see all the steps
involved in the process, but otherwise I'd go with
the unattended installation. |
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Microsoft Windows will
be the choice for Guest Operating System.
In the Version section, use the drop down menu
(shown at right) to select the appropriate operating
system. |
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Give the virtual
machine a name, preferably something meaningful like
Windows 7, although I guess if you are of the
opinion windows is bloated, insignificant, and
useless, Rush Limbaugh might be more appropriate.
The Location you select is more critical. Select a
location that has sufficient space to accommodate
the size of virtual drive you are going to use for
the installation. Later on in the process I'm going
to create a 50GB virtual drive so my selected
location will need at least 50GB of available space. |
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Select the number of
processors and the number of cores per processor.
If you aren't sure, use the drop down menus and
select different number combinations, starting low
and then working your way upward. If you select a
combination your system doesn't support, a message
will be displayed warning that the installation may
encounter a problem. |
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You have the option to
set the amount of memory available to the virtual
machine up to a maximum of 32GB.
Obviously, you can't allocate more memory than is
installed on the primary system, but the more you do
allocate will improve the virtual machine
performance.
You have to decide what balance is appropriate
between the primary system/virtual machine based on
how you will use the system. |
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Select the type of
network to be used for the installation. I find NAT
(Network Address Translation) performs best for my
use, but if you aren't sure if that's appropriate in
your case then choose Use Bridged Networking as a
safe alternative. It works in the majority of
cases. |
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For the Adapter type,
use whatever is shown as the default. |
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How the disk issue is
handled is personal preference, but I always create
a new virtual hard disk.
If you already have a virtual disk that was crested
previously for a virtual machine you are no longer
using it can certainly be used in this case.
You 'can' use a physical disk on the system, but
unless you really know what you are doing I'd advise
against it until you have some experience working
with virtual machines. |
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For the disk type just
use the default unless you have a good reason for
switching. |
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Next up is setting the
disk capacity. In this case I used 50GB. That is
more than enough capacity to install Windows 7 and
it provides plenty of room for the applications and
files I'll be testing after the installation.
If preferred, allocate all of the disk space now
rather than allowing the virtual drive to grow as
the system is used. I usually allocate the space
initially for the added performance boost. |
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If you want to change
the name of the virtual disk, this is the place to
make the change. |
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That's it for the
setup.
Click the Finish button and the virtual machine will
be created. |
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Earlier in the process
I chose to have the entire virtual disk allocated at
the beginning rather than have it grow in size as
the virtual machine is used.
That's the first step in the creation process of the
virtual machine and this is simply a progress
indicator to keep you advised of what's happening. |
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Once the virtual
machine has been created you're returned to the main
VMware screen where the newly created virtual
machine is available for the operating system to be
installed.
Powering on the new virtual machine can take two
forms. You can start the virtual machine using the
[Power On This Virtual Machine] link in the
[Commands] section on the left side of the screen.
You can also use a different method, one that I
always use, when a new virtual machine is being
started for the first time. That method is shown in
the next screen capture. |
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When starting a
virtual machine for the first time I always go to
Menu > Power > and select Power On To BIOS.
The reason I choose this method is so I can adjust
the BIOS settings and make sure the boot order is
set the way I prefer. |
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I always set the boot
order so the CD/DVD drive is scanned first with the
hard drive being the second device. I very seldom
use removable devices so I rank that option lower,
but adjust the settings to whatever works best in
your situation. |
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Once you have the BIOS
set to your preferences, exit and save the changes. |
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Once the system
restarts you should see the notification that files
are being loaded ... |
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... and then the
notice that Windows is being started ... |
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... and finally the
screen to set basic language, time, currency, and
input options. |
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Next up is the screen
to actually start the Windows 7 installation. |
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Nothing more than a
bit of eye candy to let you know the installation is
moving along and the system hasn't locked up. |
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It's quite likely
you'll never see an operating system selection
screen listing the different operating systems
available.
Most DVD's are tied to a specific version by way of
the supplied activation key, and instead of
displaying this screen at right, you are
taken directly to the license terms screen shown
below.
The question is frequently asked what version
Windows 7 DVD I'm using in this screen capture that
allows all the different x86 versions to be visible
on the same DVD. It's a specially modified DVD I
made from a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade DVD. Go
here for instructions on how to modify and burn
your own version. |
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The infamous
[Microsoft Software License Terms] screen where
you're reminded that even though you paid for the
operating system with your hard earned money, you
can't do a damn thing with it unless you agree to
Microsoft's license terms to light up that little
[Next] button.
Simple choice; click [I accept the license terms]
and the install continues. If you decide not to
check the box you'll want to make use of the red 'X'
in the upper right hand corner of the window. |
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Select the type of
installation you want to perform.
In this scenario it's going to be a [Custom]
installation. |
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Select the
installation location and click Next button. |
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From this point on
it's just a case of waiting. The installation will
proceed and the system will reboot a few times. |
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Eventually you'll be
prompted for a user name and computer name. The user
name doesn't make much difference, but give some
thought to the computer name, especially if you have
more than one computer and this installation will be
part of your network. |
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Countless times I've
seen and heard it said that if you are a home user
you don't need a password. That's just plain idiocy.
If you don't password protect your account you are
leaving it open and vulnerable to anyone and
everyone, even those people at home you trust that
just might accidentally wipe out your entire system
- or perhaps might not be quite as trustworthy as
you thought.
If you do use a password to protect the account, a
password hint is required. In this case I suggest
you do not enter a password hint that is in any way
relative or germane to your actual password. Just
enter a string of garbage or type the word 'None' to
satisfy the requirement something be entered. |
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I strongly suggest you
not enter your product key at this
point and uncheck the box for automatic activation.
At the minimum you have 30 days to evaluate and test
the installation before activation is required. Take
advantage of it to test, modify, and possibly even
reinstall the operating system if necessary. |
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I remain a huge
proponent of not giving away the keys to the update
kingdom by giving anyone the right to update your
system without you giving specific approval of each
and every update. Obviously my choice here is going
to be [Ask Me Later] when you can give permission to
be notified when updates are available without
committing to their download and installation until
you have a chance to review them first. |
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Nothing to say here
-- it's setting the time and date for crying out
loud. |
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Select whether you
want to join a [Home], [Work], or [Public] network.
If you want to use the HomeGroups feature in Windows
7 you'll need to select the Home network as opposed
to the Work network.
In this case I selected Work network. Settings are
applied after the selection is made. |
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A bit more eye candy
to let you know the desktop is being prepared. |
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Once you wade through the final configuration
screens Windows 7 is installed and ready for use. |
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