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Виртуальная машина — это программная (реже аппаратная) система, которая эмулирует аппаратное обеспечение некоторой платформы, чтобы работать с программами в изолированной среде. Такая машина обеспечивает безопасную среду для тестирования программ и позволяет запускать программы, которые не поддерживаются основной операционной системой.
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Запустите VMware Workstation и нажмите «Создать виртуальную машину».
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Откроется окно мастера создания виртуальной машины. В нем отобразятся две опции: «Обычный» и «Пользовательский». Оставьте значение по умолчанию и нажмите «Далее».
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Эта опция соответствует скачанному вами ISO-файлу. Нажмите «Обзор» и найдите ISO-файл Windows 7. Затем нажмите «Далее».
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Версия зависит от скачанного ISO-файла. Ввести ключ продукта и настроить Windows можно потом. Нажмите «Далее».
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Если вы не ввели ключ продукта, нажмите «Да».
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Также, если хотите, поменяйте папку, в которой машина будет храниться; для этого нажмите «Обзор» и выберите папку. Затем нажмите «Далее».
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Для этого нажмите кнопку со стрелкой. Также можно указать, что файлы будут храниться на хостовом компьютере. Затем нажмите «Далее».
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На экране отобразятся характеристики создаваемой виртуальной машины. Нажмите «Настроить оборудование», чтобы изменить характеристики.
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Чтобы изменить объем памяти виртуальной машины, нажмите кнопку со стрелкой или передвиньте ползунок. Нажмите «Закрыть», чтобы вернуться в последнее диалоговое окно.
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Если параметры машины вас устраивают, нажмите «Готово», чтобы создать ее.
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Что вам понадобится
- VMware Workstation
- Образ (ISO-файл) Windows 7
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In this article, we’ll show you how to set up a virtual computer running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit using VMware Workstation 17 Pro. Of course, we will use Windows 11 & 10 64-bit systems when doing this process. Additionally, our simple guide will take you through every step of the installation process.
However, you will be able to run Windows 7 without any problems using VMware. So you can run legacy Windows applications. Furthermore, you can create a unique testing environment just for doing software development work. As a result, you can run Microsoft’s popular system at the time on a virtual computer. Let’s start your virtualization journey with Workstation Pro or Player!
How to Install and Run Windows 7 on a VM (Virtual Machine) in VMware Workstation 17 Pro
VMware Workstation allows you or me to run multiple systems on a single physical PC. For instance, it lets you create, control, and operate different virtual machines. That’s why we can say it is the most potent virtualization program on the market.
However, Workstation Pro is a paid software. On the other hand, the Player version has a more straightforward interface and is free. Both provide superior performance and stability compared to other virtualization solutions.
If you choose VMware Workstation Pro, you will get more effective virtualization. In particular, you simulate older versions of Windows operating systems on your PC. You can also do these operations with the Player version, but of course, you cannot have advanced features.
VMware sometimes creates and releases new versions of the software. In some cases, this process causes compatibility issues. However, it may cause potential difficulties for some systems. In such cases, you can try downgrading the version of the operating system.
Optimizing Windows 7 Virtual Machine Performance on VMware
VMware Workstation 17 Pro is the newest version that you can get right now. You may want to run a Windows 7 virtual machine with this virtualization software. However, to ensure smooth performance, you should pay attention to specific system requirements.
For example, you should basically look at the CPU hardware of your host computer. So why? Because the primary source of virtualization is the processor. If it supports this, the next thing you need to look at is your physical RAM amount.
Having enough RAM is vital for your virtual machine to run smoothly. You must allocate a sufficient amount of memory, which is the minimum requirement, to your virtual system. This gives you both compatibility and maximum performance. For this reason, it is a severe matter to allocate enough RAM to the virtual machine.
You also need to adjust the virtual processor and core settings for your VM. This varies depending on the processor hardware type of your host PC. But if you want your virtual machine to run more efficiently, adjust the number of virtual CPUs and cores.
Besides RAM and processor settings, disk space for your VM is also essential. Not only disk space but also the technology type of the disk plays an important role. For example, for Windows 7, 50 GB of virtual disk space is a good size for you. Moreover, if you use an old mechanical hard disk, your performance will be low. If you work with newer disk types like SSD & NVMe instead, you will be able to use your VM at rocket speed.
Here are my final words on system performance and requirements. First, you should definitely turn on VTx in your host computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings. This feature varies from PC to PC. But in the settings, you’ll find this feature listed as Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI.
How to Create a New VM from Scratch for Windows 7
You may not be able to run Windows 7-compatible software on your Windows 10 computer. Therefore, you can install a compatible operating system for the program you want to run by using virtualization software without having to install Windows 7 on your PC from scratch.
Step 1
Now, run VMware Workstation 17 Pro or Player on your PC. As soon as you open the program, it would be best if you created a new VM. Now, click on “Create a New VM” on the screen you’re viewing.
Next, you’ll see the New Virtual Machine Wizard. In this window, we should choose advanced for more stable settings. To do this, select the Custom (Advanced) option and click Next.
Step 2
In the next step, you will see the VMware Hardware Compatibility window. From here, select the latest version (Workstation 17.x) and click Next.
Step 3
Let’s say you added the Windows 7 ISO file to the virtual machine in this step. In this case, your virtualization program will automatically determine the other settings. As an extra, it will ask you for things like a license key or username.
I will review the advanced settings in our guide. That’s why I prefer to add the ISO file to the virtual machine and install it later. At this point, I proceed by selecting I will install the operating system later.
Step 4
In the Guest operating system selection window, first select Microsoft Windows. Then, select Windows 7 x64 from the Version section.
Step 5
Specify a name for your Windows 7 virtual machine in the Virtual Machine Name window. In the other setting, please select the location where you want to store it in the Location section.
In this step, you can also store virtual machine files on an external HDD. However, if your host computer has an NVMe or SSD disk, I recommend that you install it on existing hardware.
Step 6
You are familiar with the options in the Firmware Type window. So, since the Windows 7 system is old, select BIOS and then click Next.
Step 7
As we said at the beginning, you should fine-tune it depending on your host’s processor hardware type and performance. Here, you can set the number of processors or cores in the CPU configuration.
For example, 1 processor and 8 cores per processor are ideal for a VMware Windows 7 virtual computer.
Step 8
Configure the recommended or maximum memory size for your Win7 virtual computer. You can also specify here half the amount of RAM installed on your host.
Step 9
Various connection paths are available in the Network Type window. However, continue by checking NAT, which is selected by default here.
Step 10
Even if you’re a beginner, the default settings are generally acceptable. For example, you can continue with LSI Logic SAS (Recommended) in the I/O Controller types window.
Step 11
Choose SATA as the disk type for the Windows 7 operating system, then click Next.
Step 12
You need to create a new virtual space, that is, a virtual disk, for the virtual machine. Therefore, proceed with the Create a new virtual disk option.
Step 13
I said that a 50 GB disk size is sufficient for a Windows 7 VM. However, determine the disk size yourself depending on the work you will do.
Moreover, don’t forget to check the Store virtual disk as a single file. This choice will make one virtual disk file. This will allow you to create backups more quickly in the future.
Step 14
You can, of course, change the location where you want to keep the virtual disk file. However, still leave it in the default location. Also, keep the name unchanged to prevent confusion later on.
Step 15
At the final stage of creating the virtual machine, you will see Customize Hardware. In this summary window, you can review the settings you have made so far.
However, for more advanced settings on the Guest machine, click Customize.
Step 16
Click on the processor hardware in the virtual machine settings. Check all the options in the Virtualization Engine section you see on the right.
- Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
- Virtualize CPU Performance Counters
- Virtualize IOMMU (IO Memory Management Unit)
NOTE: Sometimes, you can turn off the 2nd or 3rd option in cases where your VM does not boot. These options can cause problems, especially with newer processors and systems.
Step 17
First, download the Windows 7 ISO file we use in this article from this link. Click on the link, and you will go to Google Drive. On the website, you’ll find the file called “windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64”.
After CPU settings, click on the CD/DVD device. Since you will use an ISO file to install Windows 7, enable ISO Image File. Immediately afterward, click Browse to add the image file to the VM.
Step 18
Click on the USB Controller device and configure the compatibility setting to 3.1.
Also, enable these USB features:
- Show all USB input devices
- Share Bluetooth devices with the virtual machine
Step 19
After clicking on the display device, enable 3D graphics acceleration from the options listed on the right. Next, set the Graphics Memory value to half of the RAM amount you chose for the virtual machine.
Step 20
After creating a new virtual machine to install Windows 7 on VMware, click the Finish button to close the hardware properties window of the guest machine.
Step 21
You can now start the Windows 7 operating system installation by clicking the Power on this virtual machine button.
Setting Up Windows 7 on the Virtual PC We Prepared
After preparing and running the Windows 7 virtual computer, you will see the first installation screen. If there is no problem, you can follow the steps below for step-by-step installation.
Step 1
Configure the display language, time zone & keyboard layout for your Windows 7 operating system and click Next.
Step 2
As soon as you make the basic settings for Windows 7, click Install Now.
Step 3
Click Next by accepting the Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 license agreement.
Step 4
To install a clean Microsoft Windows 7 on the virtual machine, you need to select Custom (Advanced).
If you want to upgrade a previously ready system to a different version, you must continue with the Upgrade option.
Step 5
In the disk configuration window, click Drive Options. Select New to create a new partition on the virtual disk. Click Apply to use the entire 50 GB hard disk size.
The wizard will create additional partitions to run Windows features properly. Therefore, continue with OK in the information window that appears.
Step 6
To install the Windows 7 system, select Disk 0 Partition 2 and proceed.
Step 7
At this stage, the wizard will extract the Windows installation files.
Step 8
Once the wizard copies the system files, your virtual computer will restart within 10 seconds. If you are not someone who likes to wait, click Restart Now directly.
Step 9
While your virtual system restarts, wait while the Windows system updates the registry and other settings.
Once your computer’s registry settings are completed, you will see the user account creation window. Here, fill in the required fields to assign a new username and computer name to your Windows 7 system.
Step 10
You may want to set a strong Windows password for your user account. If so, type the password you put into both boxes.
If you are going to create more than one user account on your system, I recommend setting a hint.
Step 11
If you have a privilege key for Windows 7, you can enter it in this window. If not, no problem, you can continue with Next.
Step 12
You can configure the Windows firewall in detail for the software you will use later. To do this, select Ask me later from the options here.
Plus, you can accept the Windows settings. To do this, continue with the Use Recommended Settings option.
Step 13
Select the time zone and time of the country you currently live in and click Next.
Step 14
Configure your network structure according to the purpose for which you use it. For example, you can choose between Home, Work, and Public.
Step 15
Wait while the Windows 7 Ultimate wizard makes the final settings of your system.
Step 16
At this stage, you will now be in the Windows 7 welcome window. Once your desktop is ready, you will be presented with the default background wallpaper.
How to Install or Build VMware Tools on Windows 7 Guest Machine
We were installing the VMware Tools package for Microsoft Windows 7 virtual PC on older VMware versions without any problems. However, we now encounter various errors in new versions.
VMware Tools is necessary software for your guest machine to use your host’s hardware more efficiently. Thanks to this tool, you can transfer files between host and guest.
Additionally, you can benefit from host hardware such as a webcam. Moreover, thanks to the Shared Folder structure, you can share a folder on the network.
Steps:
Step 1
Before you install VMware Tools on your Windows 7 x64 virtual machine, make sure to install the update packages kb4474419 and kb4490628 on your system.
Let’s say you did not install these Windows update packages on your system. At this point, you will receive the following errors during the installation phase.
Setup failed to install the VSock Virtual Machine Communication Interface Sockets driver automatically. This driver will have to be installed manually.Setup failed to install the Host Guest Shared Folders driver automatically. This driver will have to be installed manually.Click the button below to get the update packages for Windows 7 x64 to your host system. The name and extension of the file you downloaded will be “Windows 7 x64 kb4474419 kb4490628.iso”. Put this file into your virtual machine, install the update packages, and then restart your system.
Download Update Packages
Step 2
Now, to install virtual machine tools, go to VM from the tools menu. Then, start the process by clicking on Install VMware Tools.
Step 3
If the VMware Tools installation wizard does not start automatically and takes too long, it is okay. Just open My Computer and double-click on the DVD device, as shown in the image below.
Step 4
You have now started the VMware Tools installation wizard. Now, after briefly reading the information on the screen, continue with Next.
Step 5
In the Choose Setup Type window, select Complete. If you want to make a change, you can go back with the Back button.
Step 6
Proceed with Installation to install the drivers for the Windows 7 virtual machine.
Step 7
Wait while the wizard installs other drivers for your virtual system, such as the graphics card.
Step 8
Make sure you’ve installed the drivers for your virtual system. After installation, restart your system to make sure the changes happen correctly.
Step 9
When you restart your system, you can see that the screen resolution is adjusted to full screen. However, USB 3.x drivers will not be installed automatically.
Step 10
Create a text document on your host system’s desktop or other location. Then, try to transfer the file by dragging and dropping it to your VM.
You will see that you can copy without any problems, as in the screenshot below.
How to Configure Shared Folder
Let’s say you installed a Windows or Linux operating system with VMware. I want to tell you about a great feature called Shared Folder.
With this feature, you specify a public folder on your host device. Then, you can share files more easily between your host PC and the VM.
A Shared Folder works like a shared folder structure on the network. You can access the shared folder you created both via Network and My Computer.
Step 1
Click VM / Settings to create a new Shared Folder on the virtual computer you have installed. Then click Options from the virtual machine settings.
Now click on Shared Folders as shown on the screen. Enable Always Enabled in the Folder Sharing tab. And finally, click Add to select and add a folder on your host.
At this stage, you will open the Shared Folder wizard. As I said, click Next to continue adding the shared folder.
Step 2
Click Browse to set the Host Path. Next, make and choose a shared folder in any place on your main computer.
Step 3
You can turn the folder on or off by sharing in the Additional Attributes window.
Additionally, if you choose Read-Only, you will not be able to make any changes to the shared folder. With it, you will only be able to view the folder contents and open the relevant files.
Step 4
You should open Network and check whether the Shared Folder feature is working. You can see the shared folder created between the host and VM.
Lastly, turn on the option to “Map as a network drive” in your Windows guest.
How to Use USB Flash Memory in Windows 7 VM
After installing VMware Tools, you will not be able to install USB 3.0 drivers automatically. Because of that, these drivers are not included in the installation media of old operating systems.
However, if you install a newer operating system, such as Windows 10, these drivers will be installed automatically. Additionally, new operating systems support this hardware. But you might have to install the driver yourself. As a result, you must install USB 3.0 drivers manually.
Step 1
In Windows 7, open Device Manager and look at Other Devices. Here, when you check the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller device, you will see that you have not installed the drivers.
To install USB drivers manually:
- To install the relevant driver manually, first double-click the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller device.
- Click the Update Driver button in the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller Properties window.
- Click Browse my computer for driver software.
- Select Intel’s USB driver folder and click OK.
- After selecting the Driver folder, start the installation by clicking Next.
- When you try to install the USB 3.0 driver manually, you will be able to install it this time. You can see that the Intel (R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller has been successfully installed.
- When you examine the Device Manager again, you will see Unknown Device. You have successfully installed the USB Controller driver but not the Root Hub driver. This is because the driver provided by Intel is not fully compatible.
- Download the Intel (R) USB 3.0 Root Hub driver to your computer and try to install the unknown driver in the same way manually.
- To install the unknown driver, point to the location of the folder you downloaded to your computer and click OK.
- You can see that the Intel (R) USB 3.0 Root Hub driver has been installed successfully.
Step 2
It would be best if you got the required drivers for USB 3.0/3.1 devices to work on the guest machine. To do this, open the guest machine settings and open the download page from the link specified on the USB device or from my GitHub page.
Download the intel(r)_usb_3.0_extensible_host_controller_driver_5.0.4.43_v2.zip file from the Intel download website to your computer and copy it to your VM.
Step 3
Unzip the Intel USB 3.0/3.1 eXtensible Host Controller Driver and put it in the folder. Then, open the wizard by double-clicking on setup.
Proceed by checking the components to be installed in the USB driver wizard.
Step 4
Accept the license agreement of Intel USB driver software.
Step 5
During the installation phase, make sure that no external USB devices are connected to your computer. Also, click the ‘Next’ button on the window stating this warning. After that, the installation will continue without any problems. As a result, you can complete the process successfully.
Step 6
After installing the USB 3.0/3.1 drivers in Windows 7, choose to restart your system.
Step 7
Plug a USB 3. x supported flash memory into your host. Also, create a folder called Backup.
Step 8
You have to plug your USB memory into the virtual machine. Also, click VM / Removable Devices / Your USB name / Connect from the Workstation menu. Thus, your USB memory will be connected to the virtual machine. As a result, you can access your data from the virtual machine.
If the Connect option is inactive or greyed out, shut down your virtual computer. Also, follow the appropriate steps to shut down the virtual computer. However, try to connect again with your virtual computer turned off. As a result, the Connect option will be enabled.
Step 9
Open the Windows 7.vmx file. Change usb.restrictions.defaultAllow=”FALSE” to “TRUE” and save the file.
Step 10
Try to add your USB disk to your virtual computer again. You will see that the Connect option is active this time, as shown below.
Step 11
When you insert your flash memory into the VM, you can see the folder called Backup that you created. Additionally, this folder will contain all your backup files. Using it, you can manage your data quickly. As a result, your backup process will be complete without any problems.
How to Delete Windows 7 Virtual Machine via VMware Workstation
You can quickly delete a Win7 virtual machine you prepared with VMware Workstation Pro. Also, in this way, you can remove not only this system but also other platforms from your PC altogether. With this, you get rid of all unnecessary files. As a result, you can free up more space on your computer.
Right-click on the guest machines you want to delete from the guest machines listed in the left panel of Workstation Pro. Also, click on ‘Manage / Delete From Disk.’ However, in the ‘this action is irreversible’ window, click ‘Yes’ to confirm the action. As a result, you will permanently delete the selected virtual machine.
Video
Installing Old Versions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Which VMware version is compatible with Windows 7?
The Pro and Player versions of VMware software are, of course, compatible with Windows 7. These versions provide the necessary support to run as a virtual machine on your system. However, regular distributions of Windows 7 are supported starting from 12. On the other hand, if you have a distribution that includes the Service Pack 1 (SP1) update package, you need a 15.5 minimum. Additionally, this version supports SP1 updates. But first, make sure your system is all updated. As a result, you can have an installation compatible with SP1.
- Is it safe to run Windows 7 on a virtual machine?
Yes, running Windows 7 on a virtual machine is safe. This gives you a method that is independent of your host system. This means that any work you do in your virtual environment will not affect your actual operating system. These tasks could be, for example, a system setting or a service status. However, if you include your VM in your local network, that’s when it may not be secure. In this case, you should use solutions such as antivirus programs.
- Can I run a VMware program on Windows 7?
Yes, you can also install Workstation Pro & Player versions on your Windows 7 host system. However, since it is not an up-to-date operating system, you may encounter some incompatibilities. It would be best if you still run these programs on the latest and most secure Windows versions.
- Will my applications and drivers run smoothly on VMware?
In most cases, you can use the applications and drivers you use in Windows 7 perfectly on Workstation. However, you must configure VMware Tools to install the drivers for your VM. This will give you a better graphics experience and performance. Additionally, you will be able to use the applications you will use in your virtual system more comfortably.
Conclusion
I want to summarize that you can use a VM with VMware Workstation 17 Pro or Player. This way, you can have a Windows 7 system running on a VM. Additionally, using VMware gives you extra benefits. For example, you create isolated test environments as well as running legacy applications.
By following the steps in this guide, you can install Windows 7 without any problems. Additionally, these steps will make the installation process more manageable. However, it helps you solve any issues you may encounter in advance. As a result, you can install this OS quickly and efficiently.
In summary, you can benefit from the advantages of virtualization technology. However, if you are a software developer, you can do application compatibility testing. For reasons like these, it is safe to run older OSes on a modern system.
Create a Windows 7 virtual machine using VMware Workstation Pro.
If you need to use Windows 7 (for whatever reason) then the safest and best way is to run it as a virtual computer.
In this guide I’ll show you how to setup Win 7 as a VM using Workstation Pro.
What You’ll Need To Create A Win 7 VM.
Before you start there’re a couple of things you’ll need to have setup and ready to go –
- Virtualisation Enabled. You’ll need to have virtualisation enabled on your computer CPU. Either Intel VTx or AMD V/RVI. Usually it’ll be enabled by default (especially on Windows 11 PCs), but it isn’t always so you should check your UEFI/BIOS.
- A Windows 7 ISO Image or DVD. You’ll need to have either an ISO image of Windows 7 or the actual DVD installation disc.
- VMware Workstation Pro installed. Virtual machines run on software called hypervisors. There are a few free ones to choose from, but in this guide I’ll be using VMware Workstation Pro.
Related Posts.
How To Create A Win 7 VM On Workstation Pro.
Launch VMware Workstation Pro and then click on the Create A New Virtual Machine button.
Note that if you’ve already got some VMs installed, you’ll need to click the Home tab in Workstation Pro first, and then hit the Create A New VM button.
The Workstation Pro virtual machine wizard will appear.
You can leave the configuration set to Typical and click the Next button.
Windows 7 Disc Or ISO Image.
Are you installing a Windows 7 virtual machine from a disc or from an ISO image file?
Workstation Pro should automatically detect and select a Windows 7 DVD that’s loaded into your DVD drive. Click the Next button.
If you’re using an ISO image, click the Browse button, navigate to the image file and select it. Once the ISO file has been loaded, click Next.
Easy Install Information.
Workstation Pro can automatically enter certain information as it sets up your Windows 7 VM.
You can add the Windows product key if you wish, but I’d generally advise that you hold off from doing that.
The product key is obviously going to be needed in order to activate Windows 7, but you can do that after you’ve got your virtual computer up and running. So I’d say just leave the product key box blank.
If you’ve got a multi edition disc or image, then you’ll need to select which version of Windows 7 you want to install.
Click the drop down arrow and select your edition from the menu.
Finally for this screen, do you want to add a password? I’d say no, just leave the password box blank. You can always add a password later.
Because you didn’t enter a product key earlier, Workstation Pro will prompt you to decide whether you want to continue.
Click the Yes button.
Name And Location Of Windows 7 Virtual Machine.
You can give your virtual machine a name if you wish to. By default, Workstation Pro will name the VM after the operating system that’s being used to install on it. In this case, Windows 7.
You can name your VM anything you like and it’s especially helpful if you’re planning to have several VMs.
The virtual machine files will be stored in your Documents folder unless you specify a different location.
To change the location , click the Browse button and select a different folder.
When you’re ready, click Next.
Virtual Hard Disk Capacity.
Your virtual computer will need a virtual hard disk to install your chosen OS onto. This screen allows yopu to allocate the necessary capacity.
Workstation Pro will automatically assign 60GB to the virtual HDD. You can change that if you want to.
Also, you’ll have the choice of storing the virtual hard disk as a single file or a split file.
I always select a single file. I think you get better performance if the virtual drive isn’t split. It’s only marginal, but it is there.
Virtual Machine Settings Summary.
The Ready To create Virtual Machine window appears. It gives a summary of all the settings that are going to be applied to the Windows 7 VM that you’re creating.
You can change any of the settings by clicking the Customize Hardware button. For instance, Workstation Pro has assign 1 GB of RAM to the VM, if you wanted more, you can adjust in the customize hardware screen.
Make sure that “Power on this virtual machine after creation” is selected and click the Finish button.
You Can Change These Settings Later.
You can always change any or all of these settings later on if you find that you need to. So for example, if you think the VM is lagging a little, you could assign it more RAM, or even add an extra CPU.
With that in mind, I’d generally say go with the defaults and see how your Windows 7 virtual machine performs.
Workstation Pro will create a new virtual machine and then boot it from the Windows 7 disc or ISO file.
You might see the message “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD”
If that happens, left click once on the black screen and then hit any key on your keyboard.
Installing Windows 7 Virtual Machine.
Windows 7 setup will start and begin installing the operating system.
You’ll see a message from Workstation Pro at the bottom of the screen about installing VMware Tools.
You can ignore this message for now.
Your New Win 7 Virtual Machine.
Windows 7 will install itself onto your virtual machine just as it would onto a real, bare metal, machine.
VMware Tools is a set of virtual drivers for you virtual computer. Ideally, at this point, you’d just install the Tools in the same way as you’d install any other software. But there’re two issues you’ll run into.
To Install VMware Tools onto your Windows 7 VM, click the VM tab at the top of the screen. Then on the menu, click Install VMware Tools.
The problem is that most likely you’ll find that Install VMware Tools is greyed out and doesn’t work.
The second issue that you’ll probably have is that once you get VMware Tools to start installing, it’ll fail. The Tools fail because Windows 7 is so far out of date.
The answer to that is to update Windows 7, but that isn’t easy in 2024.
Disconnect Windows 7 Virtual Machine From The Internet.
After running all the Windows 7 updates and then installing VMware Tools, there’s one other thing that you might want to do. And that is to disconnect your VM from the Internet.
This’ll obviously depend on what you intend to do with the virtual machine, but we all know that running Windows 7 on the ‘net is not safe to do anymore.
So assuming that you’re setting up a Windows 7 Virtual machine to run older software, then you probably should disconnect it from the Internet.
In Workstation Pro, click the VM tab and then click Settings on the menu.
On the Settings page, select Network Adapter (NAT) in the left hand panel. Then remove the check marks from the Device Status boxes.
Summary.
There are many people that still use Windows 7. Most often it’s because they have older software that won’t run on more modern versions of Windows.
Good luck and I really hope that this guide has been a help.
Related Posts.
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Quick Links:
- Introduction
- Prerequisites
- Downloading Windows 7 ISO
- Installing VMware Workstation
- Creating a New Virtual Machine
- Configuring VM Settings
- Installing Windows 7
- Post-Installation Setup
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Introduction
Virtualization has transformed the way we use operating systems on our computers. One of the most popular virtualization software is VMware Workstation, which allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Windows 7 on VMware Workstation, providing you with a virtual environment to test applications or perform tasks without affecting your primary operating system.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the installation process, ensure you have the following:
- A computer with at least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended).
- VMware Workstation installed on your machine.
- A valid Windows 7 ISO file.
- At least 20GB of free disk space for the virtual machine.
Downloading Windows 7 ISO
To install Windows 7, you first need to download the ISO file. You can obtain this from various sources:
- Official Microsoft website — If you have a valid product key.
- Third-party sites like TechSpot or Internet Archive.
Make sure to verify the integrity of the downloaded ISO to prevent installation issues.
Installing VMware Workstation
Your next step is to install VMware Workstation. Follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of VMware Workstation from the official VMware website.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. Accept the license agreement and choose the installation location.
- Once installed, launch VMware Workstation.
Creating a New Virtual Machine
Now that you have VMware Workstation installed, it’s time to create a new virtual machine:
- Open VMware Workstation and click on «Create a New Virtual Machine.»
- Select «Typical (recommended)» and click «Next.»
- Choose «Installer disc image file (iso)» and browse for your Windows 7 ISO file. Click «Next.»
- Select the guest operating system as «Microsoft Windows» and version as «Windows 7.» Click «Next.»
- Name your virtual machine and choose a location to save it. Click «Next.»
- Allocate the disk space (at least 20GB recommended) and choose whether to store the virtual disk as a single file or split into multiple files. Click «Next.»
- Review your settings and click «Finish.»
Configuring VM Settings
Before proceeding with the installation, you may want to configure some additional settings for your virtual machine:
- Go to «Edit virtual machine settings.»
- In the «Hardware» tab, you can adjust the amount of RAM, number of processors, and network settings according to your needs.
- Ensure that the CD/DVD drive is connected to the ISO file for installation.
Installing Windows 7
With your VM configured, it’s time to install Windows 7:
- Start the virtual machine by clicking the «Power on this virtual machine» button.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to begin the installation process. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, then click «Next.»
- Click «Install now» and accept the license terms.
- Select «Custom (advanced)» installation.
- Choose the partition where you want to install Windows and click «Next.»
- Wait for the installation to complete. Your VM will restart several times during this process.
Post-Installation Setup
Once Windows 7 is installed, follow these steps for setup:
- Create a user account and set your password.
- Customize your settings (e.g., choose to enable Windows Update).
- Install VMware Tools to enhance performance and usability. Go to «VM» > «Install VMware Tools» and follow the prompts.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter issues during installation, consider the following:
- Ensure your ISO is not corrupted.
- Check your system requirements and VM settings.
- Look for specific error messages and search online for solutions.
Conclusion
Installing Windows 7 on VMware Workstation is a straightforward process that allows you to utilize this operating system in a virtual environment. Whether for testing, development, or learning purposes, following this guide will help you set up your virtual machine efficiently.
FAQs
- 1. Can I install Windows 7 on VMware Workstation for free?
- VMware Workstation offers a free trial, but you will need a license for extended use. Windows 7 requires a valid product key for installation.
- 2. What are the system requirements for running Windows 7 on VMware?
- A minimum of 2GB of RAM is required, but 4GB or more is recommended for better performance.
- 3. How do I enable network access for the virtual machine?
- In the VM settings, under the «Network Adapter» section, ensure that it is set to «NAT» or «Bridged» depending on your network requirements.
- 4. Can I run multiple virtual machines simultaneously?
- Yes, as long as your host computer has enough resources (CPU, RAM) to support multiple VMs.
- 5. What should I do if Windows 7 does not recognize my hardware?
- Ensure that you have installed VMware Tools, which provides drivers for better hardware compatibility.
- 6. How can I increase the disk space for my virtual machine?
- You can increase the disk space by editing the virtual machine settings or by using third-party tools to expand the virtual disk.
- 7. Is it safe to use Windows 7 in a virtual machine?
- Yes, but keep in mind that Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft, which may expose you to security risks.
- 8. Can I use USB devices in my virtual machine?
- Yes, you can connect USB devices by enabling the USB controller in the VM settings.
- 9. How do I uninstall a virtual machine?
- Right-click on the virtual machine in VMware Workstation and select «Remove» to delete it from your library.
- 10. What are the advantages of using VMware Workstation?
- VMware Workstation allows you to run multiple operating systems, test software, and create snapshots for easy recovery.
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Виртуализация – это технология для создания виртуальных версий физических ресурсов, на которых работают разнообразные изолированные виртуальные машины.
Источник изображения: habr.com
На картинке выше изображена архитектура гипервизоров второго типа (hosted). Гипервизор – это программное обеспечение или аппаратное устройство, которое является ключевой составляющей виртуализации и позволяет создавать и управлять виртуальными машинами на физическом компьютере или сервере. Второй тип гипервизора работает поверх уже установленной операционной системы, которая в данном случае называется хостовой. К нему относятся такие инструменты, как:
- Oracle VirtualBox;
- Parallels Desktop;
- VMware Workstation.
В настоящей статье мы опишем пошаговую инструкцию по установке операционной системы Windows 11 на VMware. Прочитав ее, вы узнаете:
- как установить VMware Workstation на свой компьютер;
- как правильно настроить установленный гипервизор;
- как создать виртуальную машину с операционной системой Windows 11 и многое другое.
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Системные требования для VMware Workstation
Системные требования для VMware Workstation могут изменяться в зависимости от версии программы и операционной системы.
Минимальные системные требования выглядят следующим образом:
- Процессор: 64-битный процессор с тактовой частотой выше 1.3 Ghz и поддержкой виртуализации (Intel VT-x или AMD-V);
- Оперативная память: Минимум 2 ГБ RAM, но рекомендуется 4 ГБ или больше;
- Свободное дисковое пространство: Минимум 2,5 ГБ свободного места на жестком диске для установки программы;
- ОС: VMware Workstation поддерживает различные версии Windows и Linux.
Чтобы узнать актуальные системные требования для конкретной версии VMware Workstation, рекомендуем обратиться к официальным ресурсам VMware или к программной документации.
Установка VMware Workstation
На данном этапе будет производиться установка VMware Workstation. Ниже мы опишем ее пошагово.
- Для начала зайдем на официальный сайт компании VMware и перейдем на вкладку «Products» в верхнем меню.
- Воткрывшемся списке продуктов ищем вкладку «Desktop Hypervisor» и выбираем «Workstation Pro».
- Далее, в открывшемся окне скроллим вниз и ищем пункт «Download Trial».
- Последнее, что осталось сделать для начала скачивания файла установщика, — это выбрать необходимую ОС в качестве хостовой. В этой инструкции мы будем выполнять установку VMware Workstation на Windows. Нажимаем кнопку «DOWNLOAD NOW» и ожидаем окончания загрузки файла.
- По окончании загрузки запускаем скачанный файл. Перед нами должно открыться окно установки VMware Workstation Pro, как показано на картинке ниже.
Нажимаем кнопку «Next».
- В следующем окне устанавливаем галочку рядом с пунктом «I accept the terms in the License Agreement» и нажимаем кнопку «Next». Эти действия подразумевают, что вы принимаете условия лицензионного соглашения.
- Далее установщик предлагает указать путь, куда будет установлена VMware Workstation, а также предоставляет на выбор две опции:
-
- Улучшенный драйвер клавиатуры. Эта опция предоставляет дополнительную функциональность для работы с клавиатурой в виртуальных машинах. Когда она включена, VMware Workstation устанавливает драйвер, который улучшает обработку дополнительных клавиш, повышает безопасность и позволяет передавать дополнительные клавишные комбинации между хостовой и гостевой ОС.
- Добавить инструменты консоли VMware Workstation в системный путь. Данная опция предназначена для автоматизации некоторых аспектов работы гипервизора.
Вы можете выбрать их в зависимости от ваших потребностей и предпочтений при установке программы. Мы включим в установку обе предложенные опции.
- В следующем окне мастер установки предложит включить 2 опции:
-
- Проверять наличие обновлений продукта при запуске.
- Присоединиться к программе улучшения опыта клиентов VMware.
Данный шаг мы пропускаем, оставляя поля для галочек пустыми, и нажимаем кнопку «Next».
- На заключительном этапе нам будет предложено создать ярлыки на рабочем столе и в меню «Пуск». Выбор данных опций зависит от ваших предпочтений.
- И наконец, после указания всех параметров и опций установки, нажимаем кнопку «Install».
На этом этап установки VMware Workstation окончен. Теперь мы переходим к его запуску и созданию своей первой виртуальной машины.
Запуск VMware Workstation и создание первой виртуальной машины
На данном этапе мы перейдем к работе в среде VMware Workstation, где выполним его базовую настройку и подготовим виртуальную машину, на которую в дальнейшем будет выполняться установка Windows 11. По ходу инструкции, вам понадобиться оригинальный iso-образ ОС Windows 11. Скачать его вы можете с официального сайта Microsoft (недоступно для пользователей из России), либо других проверенных источников.
- По окончании установки VMware Workstation запустим его. При первом запуске перед нами появится следующее диалоговое окно:
Здесь необходимо указать лицензионный ключ ПО либо запустить пробный период на 30 дней.
- Далее откроется рабочее окно установленного гипервизора. Оно продемонстрировано на картинке ниже.
В первую очередь произведем настройку директории, куда в будущем будут устанавливаться все виртуальные машины. Для этого откроем вкладку «Edit», а затем выберем пункт «Preferences…».
В открывшемся окне на вкладке «Workspace» вы можете изменить путь к директории хранения виртуальных машин.
- Теперь мы можем создать свою первую виртуальную машину. Для этого переходим на вкладку «File» и выбираем пункт «New Virtual Machine…».
- На следующем шаге перед нами должен открыться мастер создания новой виртуальной машины.
Здесь мы выбираем первый пункт — «Обычная установка». Его отличие от второго («Выборочная установка») заключается в уровне автоматизации процесса установки. «Выборочная установка» включает в себя самостоятельную настройку разного вида оборудований. Однако это можно сделать и после создания виртуальной машины.
- На следующем этапе мы указываем тип установки гостевой ОС. Система предлагает на выбор 3 варианта:
-
- Установка с физического диска.
- Установка из образа ISO.
- Установка операционной системы позже.
Мы воспользуемся вторым вариантом из предложенных и добавим ISO-образ ОС, скачанный ранее, используя кнопку «Browse…».
- Далее система предложит нам указать имя виртуальной машины и путь к ее хранению.
Оставляем предложенные настройки и нажимаем кнопку «Next».
- В следующем окне мастер установки предложит настроить шифрование виртуальной машины.
Для корректной работы гостевой ОС требуется модуль TPM (Trusted Platform Module). Все ваши файлы будут зашифрованы с использованием пароля, который необходимо указать в соответствующих строках. На выбор система предлагает 2 типа шифрования:
- Шифрование всех файлов виртуальной машины.
- Шифрование только тех файлов, которые необходимы для поддержки модуля TPM.
Мы выбрали второй тип шифрования. Также мы установили галочку в поле, отвечающем за сохранение пароля в диспетчере учетных данных.
- Далее мастер установки попросит указать требуемое для ОС место на диске и метод хранения файлов.
Оставляем предложенные системой данные и переходим к следующему этапу.
- На данной этапе пользователю будут продемонстрированы предварительные параметры виртуальной машины. Их можно изменить, нажав кнопку «Customize Hardware…», либо оставить без изменений.
Виртуальная машина создана и готова к запуску. В следующем этапе будет описан процесс установки и настройки Windows 11 в VMware.
Установка и настройка Windows 11 в VMware Workstation
Если на этапе создания виртуальной машины все было сделано верно, то вы можете приступать к установке Windows 11.
- Чтобы установить Windows 11 в VMware Workstation, достаточно выбрать ранее созданную виртуальную машину из списка доступных и нажать кнопку запуска, как это показано на картинке ниже.
При запуске виртуальной машины, вы можете столкнуться с ошибкой, изображенной на картинке ниже.
Данная ошибка означает, что у вас не выполнено первое требование из главы «Системные требования для VMware Workstation», а именно отсутствует поддержка виртуализации. Чтобы это исправить, необходимо зайти в настройки BIOS и включить параметр SVM Mode.
- После запуска виртуальной машины перед вами появится следующее окно.
Для загрузки с установочного образа, необходимо переключиться в рабочую область окна и быстро нажать любую клавишу на клавиатуре, например «Enter».
- Далее начнется стандартный процесс установки Windows 11, который ничем не отличается от процесса установки на физический компьютер.
В первую очередь, мы выбираем язык установки, время и валюту, а также язык клавиатуры.
- На следующем этапе необходимо выбрать требуемый тип операционной системы и принять лицензионной соглашение.
- Далее система предложит выбрать тип установки.
Так как мы устанавливаем систему впервые, а не обновляем ее, нам нужно выбрать второй вариант.
- Предпоследним шагом установки является выбор дискового пространства. Мы выбираем созданный диск на 64 ГБ. На нем впоследствии будут созданы необходимые разделы для системы. Нажав кнопку «Далее», запустим процесс установки Windows 11.
- Заключительным шагом является первоначальная настройка установленной ОС. Она включает в себя:
-
- Выбор региона и языка;
- Настройка раскладки клавиатуры и метода ввода;
- Настройка учетной записи Microsoft;
- Выбор параметров конфиденциальности устройства и другие настройки.
По завершении данного этапа перед вами откроется рабочий стол Windows 11. Это означает, что установка Windows 11 на виртуальную машину закончена.
- Помимо выполненной установки ОС, опишем дополнительный шаг для установки VMware Tools. VMware Tools — это пакет программного обеспечения, предоставляемый VMware, который устанавливается внутри виртуальных машин для обеспечения более эффективной работы и интеграции между хостовой системой и виртуальной машиной.
Чтобы установить VMware Tools, кликаем в меню по вкладке «VM» и выбираем пункт «Install VMware Tools…». После этого в гостевой ОС должен появиться DVD-дисковод с установочными файлами, как показано на картинке ниже.
Среди всех файлов выбираем «setup64» и начинаем установку. После ее окончания перезагружаем систему.
Заключение
В настоящей статье мы подробно описали установку Windows 11 на VMware Workstation. Она включает в себя все этапы, от загрузки самого VMware Workstation на хостовую систему до установки Windows 11 на созданную виртуальную машину.
Виртуализация через VMware позволяет максимально гибко использовать ресурсы вашего компьютера, обеспечивая изоляцию и эффективное управление виртуальными машинами.