How to Install Windows 10 as Virtual Machine in VMware Player
InformationVMware Player is a free desktop application that lets you run a virtual machine on a Windows or Linux PC.
This tutorial will show you how to install either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 10 as a virtual machine with VMware Tools in VMware Player.
NoteVMware Player Host System Requirements
The physical computer on which you install Player is called the host system and its operating system is called the host operating system. To run Player, the host system and the host operating system must meet specific hardware and software requirements.
Processor Requirements for Host Systems
You must install Player on a host system that meets certain processor requirements.
Supported Processors
- The host system must have a 64-bit x86 CPU that meets the following requirements.
- LAHF/SAHF support in long mode only for older 64-bit CPUs produced before 2006.
- 1.3GHz or faster core speed
- Multiprocessor systems are supported.
- When you install Player, the installer performs checks to make sure the host system has a supported processor.
- You cannot install Player if the host system does not meet the processor requirements.
Processor Requirements for 64-Bit Guest Operating Systems
The operating system that runs inside a virtual machine is called the guest operating system. To run 64-bit guest operating systems, the host system must have one of the following processors. You can also run a 64-bit guest on a 32-bit host if the host computer meets these requirements.
- An AMD CPU that has segment-limit support in long mode enabled in BIOS or UEFI
- An Intel CPU that has VT-x support enabled in BIOS or UEFI
- 4 GB of RAM
WarningIf you enabled and use Hyper-V in Windows 10, then you will get the error message below when trying to run a virtual machine (VM) in VMware Workstation Player.
To be able to run a VM in VMware Workstation Player and no longer can run a VM in Hyper-V, you will need to perform the steps below to turn off hypervisorlaunchtype.
A) Open an elevated command prompt.
B) Enter bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off into the command prompt, and press Enter.
C) Restart the computer to apply.
To be able to run a VM in Hyper-V and no longer can run a VM in VMware Workstation Player, you will need to perform the steps below to turn on hypervisorlaunchtype.
A) Open an elevated command prompt.
B) Enter bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto into the command prompt, and press Enter.
C) Restart the computer to apply.
For reference, see: Windows 10 host where Credential Guard or Device Guard is enabled fails when running Workstation
Video by: essenbe
Here's How:
1. If you have not already, click/tap on the Download button below, click/tap on the VMware Workstation Player link at the site, and download and install the latest version of VMware Player. (see screenshots below)
2. If you have not already, download a Windows 10 ISO file, and save it where you like.
3. Open VMware Player, and click/tap on Create a New Virtual Machine. (see screenshot below)
4. Select (dot) the I will install the operating system later option, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
5. Select (dot) Microsoft Windows for the guest operating system, select Windows 10 or Window 10 x64 for what version of Windows 10 you are installing in VirtualBox, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)
6. Type a name (ex: Windows 10 build 10166) you want for the Windows 10 virtual machine, browse to and select the folder where you want the virtual hard disk file to be created at, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)
7. Select how many GB (ex: 30 GB) that you want for the maximum size of the virtual disk, select (dot) Store virtual disk as a single file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
Note32-bit Windows 10 should have a minimum of 16 GB, but recommended at least 20 GB.
64-bit Windows 10 should have a minimum of 16 GB, but recommended at least 25 GB.
8. Click/tap on the Customize Hardware button. (see screenshot below)
9. Click/tap on Memory in the left pane, select or type in how much memory (1024 MB = 1 GB) to be allocated from your computer (host) for the virtual machine when running. (see screenshot below)
NoteI would recommend to use at minimum 2 GB if available to spare, but usually no more than 4 GB should be needed.
10. Click/tap on Processors in the left pane, select or type in how many of your computer's CPU processor cores you would like to be allocated for the virtual machine when running. (see screenshot below)
NoteBy default, you will use at minimum 1.
Ideally, 2 to 3 cores would be the sweet spot if you have a multicore CPU with enough cores to spare for the virtual machine when running.
11. Click/tap on New CD/DVD in the left pane, select (dot) Use ISO image file, browse to and select the Windows 10 ISO from step 2 above, and click/tap on Open. Click/tap on Close. (see screenshots below)
12. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)
13. In VMware Player, double click/tap on the new virtual machine (ex: Windows 10 build 10166) to play it. (see screenshot below)
14. If prompted to install VMware Tools for Windows 2000 and later, click/tap on Download and Install. (see screenshots below)
15. You can now pick up at step 5 in the tutorial below to clean install Windows 10 in VMware Player. (see screenshot below)
15. When finished installing Windows 10 as a virtual machine, click/tap on either the Install Tools button at the bottom, or the Player (menu bar) -> Manage -> Install VMware Tools option at the top. (see screenshot below)
16. Open This PC in File Explorer inside the virtual machine, and open the listed DVD Drive: VMware Tools. (see screenshot below)
17. Run the setup.exe file. (see screenshot below)
18. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)
19. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
20. Select (dot) Typical, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
21. Click/tap on Install. (see screenshot below)
21. When VMware Tools has finished installing, click/tap on Yes to restart the Windows 10 virtual machine. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Clean Install Windows 10
- How to Dual Boot Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8
- How to Upgrade to Windows 10
- How to Install Windows 10 as Virtual Machine in VirtualBox
- How to Setup and Use Hyper-V in Windows 10 for OS Virtualization