Installing Windows 10 in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x as a Guest Operating System
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Installing Windows 10 in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x as a Guest Operating System

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Article ID: 341516

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Updated On: 05-01-2025

Products

VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides step by step process to install Windows 10 as a guest operating system in a new virtual machine under VMware Workstation Pro 12.x.

Note: Installing Windows 10 as a guest operating system is supported only in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x and not supported in the older versions of the product.

Environment

VMware Workstation Pro 12.x (Linux)
VMware Workstation Pro 12.x (Windows)

Resolution

Prerequisite: You must obtain a Windows 10 ISO disc image or a Windows 10 USB drive (EFI) with a valid product key to install Windows 10 in a new virtual machine. You can download the Windows 10 ISO, available at Microsoft Software Download.

Process to Install Windows 10 in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x as a Guest Operating System:

Windows 10 guest operating system can be installed in VMware Workstation Pro 12.x in two different ways:

  1. By using Windows 10 ISO disc image in VMware Workstation Pro using the Easy Install method
  2. By using Windows 10 USB drive (EFI) in VMware Workstation Pro using the Custom Install method

Installing Windows 10 in a virtual machine using Windows 10 ISO disc image in VMware Workstation Pro using the Easy Install method:

  1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine. Alternatively, navigate to File > New > Virtual Machine.
  2. Select Typical > Click Next
  3. Select a source for installing the guest operating system. You can use one of these options:
    • If you have burned the ISO on a DVD, select Installer disc. Ensure that the Windows 10 installer disk in the physical CD/DVD drive.
    • If you have downloaded the ISO from the Microsoft Download Center, select Installer disc image file (.iso), click Browse, and select the ISO file for installation.

      Note: VMware Workstation automatically detects the ISO or the Disc and selects the Easy Install option.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Enter the serial key obtained from Microsoft for Windows 10.
  6. Enter the username and password for the guest operating system > Click Next
  7. Enter the virtual machine name.
  8. Select the location where you want to store the virtual machine. You can choose to retain the default location displayed > Click Next
  9. Specify the Disk Capacity and click Next.
  10. If you want to modify any of the settings, such as memory (RAM), CPU, or hard disk size, click Customize Settings and specify the non-default values.
  11. Click Finish to save the virtual machine.
     

The installation now begins. After the installation completes, it automatically installs VMware Tools. After the VMware Tools installation completes, restart the virtual machine when prompted.

Installing Windows 10 in a virtual machine using Windows 10 USB drive (EFI) in VMware Workstation Pro using the Custom Install method:

Note: Custom install is for users who want more control during the creation of a virtual machine and installation of a guest operating system inside the virtual machine.

  1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine. Alternatively, navigate to File > New > Virtual Machine.
  2. Select Custom (Advanced) and click Next.
  3. Ensure that the hardware compatibility is set to Workstation 12.x Pro > Click Next
  4. Select I will install the operating system later.
  5. Ensure that Operating System is set to Microsoft Windows and Version is set to Windows 10 or Windows 10 x64, depending on whether it is 32bit or 64bit disc image.
  6. Enter the virtual machine name.
  7. Select the location where you want to store the virtual machine. You can choose to retain the default location displayed > Click Next
  8. Select EFI as Firmware type > Click Next
  9. Specify the number of Processors and Cores you want to allocate to the virtual machine > Click Next
  10. Specify the amount of memory (RAM) you want to allocate to the virtual machine > Click Next
  11. Select the network type. For more information, see Understanding networking types in hosted products (1006480) > Click Next
  12. Select the I/O controller. It is recommended to use the default option > Click Next
  13. Select Create a new Disk and click Next.
  14. Specify a name for the virtual disk file and click Next.
  15. Click Finish to save the virtual machine.

    The virtual machine is now created and added to the Workstation inventory.
     
  16. Click on VM > Removable Devices and connect the Windows 10 USB installer to the virtual machine.
  17. Click on VM > Click on Send Control + Alt + Del.

    The virtual machine resets and the Windows Boot Manager opens.
     
  18. Follow the instructions given during the Windows 10 install to finish the operating system installation. For more information, see Windows 10 FAQs.
  19. After the operating system is installed and the virtual machine has booted into the Windows 10 Desktop environment, install VMware Tools.
  20. Reboot the virtual machine after the VMware Tools installation completes.

For more information on using Windows 10, see Windows 10 FAQs.

 

Additional Information

Note: The above steps are not applicable if you are upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10.
Understanding networking types in hosted products
Installing VMware Tools

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