Upgrading a Windows 7 virtual machine to Windows 8

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information about updating a Windows 7 virtual machine to Windows 8.

Notes:

• Windows 8 is supported in Workstation 9.x and later, Fusion 5.x and later, and Player 5.x and later.
• To upgrade to Windows 8 64-bit, Microsoft requires that you own a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

Symptoms:

• You are unable to upgrade a virtual machine from Windows 7 to Windows 8
• You see errors during or after the upgrade process from Windows 7 to Windows 8

Environment

VMware Workstation Player 15.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 11.x (for Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Windows)
VMware Player 5.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)
VMware Fusion Pro 8.x
VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Player 6.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)
VMware Player 7.x (Windows)
VMware Player 7.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Player 6.x (Windows)
VMware Fusion Pro 11.x
VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)
VMware Fusion 5.x
VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)
VMware Fusion 11.x
VMware Player Pro 7.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Linux)
VMware Player Pro 7.x (Windows)
VMware Fusion 10.x
VMware Player 5.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation 10.x (Linux)
VMware Fusion 7.x
VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Player 15.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Linux)

Resolution

To ensure you are able to correctly upgrade your Windows virtual machine, see the Microsoft TechNet article Windows 8 Upgrade Paths.

Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 saves your Apps, Windows settings, and personal files. If you choose to keep nothing during the installation, your files are saved to the Windows.old folder, where you can retrieve them after the upgrade (if you did not format the hard drive). For more information, see the Microsoft article How to retrieve files from the Windows.old folder.

Warning: Microsoft recommends backing up any important data before performing this upgrade. VMware recommends taking a backup of your virtual machine. For more information, see Best practices when backing up a VMware Workstation virtual machine (2006202) and Best Practices for virtual machine backup (programs and data) in VMware Fusion (1013628).

To upgrade a virtual machine from Windows 7 to Windows 8:

1. Shut down the virtual machine.
2. Open the virtual machine settings:
    
   • For Fusion 5.x and later, click Virtual Machine > Settings.
   • For Workstation 9.x and later, click VM > Settings.
   • For Player 5.x and later, click Edit virtual machine settings.
      
3. Change your Operating System type:
    
   • For Fusion 5.x and later:
     1. Click General.
     2. From the OS dropdown, select Windows 8 or Windows 8 x64, then click Change to apply the changes.
         
   • For Workstation 9.x and later:
     1. Click Options > General.
     2. From the Version dropdown, select Windows 8 or Windows 8 x64, then click OK to apply the changes.
         
   • For Player 5.x and later:
     1. Click Options > General.
     2. From the Version dropdown, select Windows 8 or Windows 8 x64, then click OK to apply the changes.
         
4. Power on the virtual machine.
5. Log in using the user account on the Windows 7 installation.
6. Purchase Windows 8 from Microsoft. Open this link inside the virtual machine.
   
   Note The purchase link must be opened inside the virtual machine.
    
7. Decide on a upgrade version and click Download the upgrade.
8. Click Run to download and run the file. Follow the onscreen instructions.
9. When presented with the option to Choose what to keep, choose if you want to keep your Windows settings, personal files, and apps.
10. Click Next.
11. On the next screen, you are given an option to purchase the upgrade. Upon purchase, the Windows 8 product key is shown on the next screen. Click Next to proceed to the download.
    
    Note: The key is also sent to your email address.
     
12. After the download is complete, select Install Now and click Next.
13. Accept the Microsoft Software License Agreement.
14. Click Install to start the installation.
15. After the installation is complete, you are given an option to personalize the operating system. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the process.

Additional Information

Best Practices for virtual machine backup (programs and data) in VMware Fusion
Best practices when backing up a VMware Workstation virtual machine