Installing Windows 10 as a guest operating system in VMware Workstation 12.x Player
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Installing Windows 10 as a guest operating system in VMware Workstation 12.x Player

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Article ID: 343732

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Updated On:

Products

VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to install Windows 10 as a guest operating system in a new virtual machine under VMware Workstation Player 12.x.

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

Environment

  • VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Windows)
  • VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Linux)
  • VMware Workstation Player 12.x (Windows)
  • VMware Workstation Player 14.x (Linux)

Resolution

Prerequisite: You must obtain a Windows 10 ISO disc image with a valid product key to install Windows 10 in a new virtual machine. You can download Windows 10 ISO directly from Microsoft. Click here to download Windows 10.

To install Windows 10 in a virtual machine in VMware Workstation Player using the Easy Install method:
  1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine. Alternatively, navigate to Player > File New Virtual Machine.
  2. Select Typical.
  3. Click Next.
  4. 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 is 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 then select the ISO file for installation.

      Note: VMware Workstation automatically detects the ISO or the Disc and selects the Easy Install option.

  5. Click Next.
  6. Enter the serial key obtained from Microsoft for Windows 10.
  7. Enter the username and password for the guest operating system.
  8. Click Next.
  9. Enter the virtual machine name.
  10. Select the location where you want to store the virtual machine. You can choose to retain the default location displayed.
  11. Click Next.
  12. Specify the Disk Capacity and click Next.
  13. 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.
  14. Click Finish to save the virtual machine. The installation should now begin. After the installation completes, it automatically installs VMware Tools.

After the VMware Tools installation completes, restart the virtual machine when prompted.

To install Windows 10 in a virtual machine using a Custom Install method:
  1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine. Alternatively, navigate to Player > File > New Virtual Machine.
  2. Select I will install the operating system later and click Next.
  3. 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 32-bit or 64-bit disc image.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Enter the virtual machine name.
  6. Select the location where you want to store the virtual machine. You can choose to retain the default location displayed.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Select firmware as EFI.
  9. Specify disk capacity for the virtual machine.
  10. Click Next.
  11. Click Customize Hardware to specify custom hardware specifications for the virtual machine.
  12. Click Close after making the desired changes.
  13. Click Finish to save the virtual machine.

    The virtual machine is now created and added to the Workstation inventory.

  14. Right click the virtual machine and Select Settings.
  15. 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 is 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 then select the ISO file for installation.

  16. Click OK to save and close the settings window.
  17. Power on the virtual machine. The virtual machine boots into Windows 10 setup.
  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 boots in to 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.

To install Windows 10 in a virtual machine using a bootable Windows 10 USB:
  1. Click Create a New Virtual Machine. Alternatively, navigate to Player > File > New Virtual Machine.
  2. Select I will install the operating system later and click Next.
  3. 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 32-bit or 64-bit disc image.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Enter the virtual machine name.
  6. Select the location where you want to store the virtual machine. You can choose to retain the default location displayed.
  7. Click Next.
  8. Specify disk capacity for the virtual machine.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Click Customize Hardware to specify custom hardware specifications for the virtual machine.
  11. Click Close after making the desired changes.
  12. Click Finish to save the virtual machine.

    The virtual machine is now created and added to the Workstation inventory.

  13. Locate the virtual machine configuration file (.vmx). For more information, see Locating a hosted virtual machine's files (1003880).
  14. Edit the .vmx file and add the below line to the end of the file. For more information, see Editing the .vmx file of a VMware Workstation and VMware Player virtual machine (2057902).

    efi.legacyBoot.enabled = "TRUE"

  15. Exit VMware Workstation Player and relaunch it.
  16. Connect the Windows 10 installer USB to the virtual machine.
  17. Power on the virtual machine.
  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 boots in to 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

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