<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="385" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ooFVwx2qXZU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640"></iframe>
To ensure you are able to correctly upgrade your Windows virtual machine, refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Windows 7 Upgrade Paths. You can also use the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to determine the proper upgrade path for your current version of Windows. Alternatively, create a new virtual machine using a Windows 7 (full version) install disk.
Note: The preceding links were correct as of May 28, 2011. If you find that a link is broken, provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 does not save your settings or installed software. A fresh install of Windows 7 is created and old documents and programs are placed in the C:\Windows.old\
directory. You cannot run the programs that are carried over. All applications must be reinstalled.
Warning: Microsoft recommends backing up any important data before performing this upgrade. VMware recommends creating a new virtual machine to install Windows 7 instead of upgrading an existing virtual machine.
To upgrade a Fusion virtual machine from Windows XP to Windows 7:
- Insert the Windows 7 DVD, and ensure the optical drive is connected to the virtual machine. From Fusion's menu bar, go to Virtual Machine > CD/DVD > Connect CD/DVD.
Note : If Autoplay is not enabled in Windows, you must launch the installation process manually.
- In Windows, go to Start > My Computer.
- Double-click your CD/DVD drive (usually the D: drive in Windows).
- In the installer Window, click Install Now.
- Click Go online to get the latest updates for installation.
- Select I accept the license terms, then click Next.
- Click custom (advanced).
- Click Load Driver.
- Click Browse.
- Browse to the location of the drivers:
- Fusion 4.x above versions:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VMware\Drivers\scsi
- Fusion 3.x:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\Drivers\scsi
- Click OK to select the driver folder.
- Click Next to load the driver.
- Click Next to start the install.
- Click OK on the warning screen. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.
- Shutdown the virtual machine.
- From Fusion's menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Settings.
- Select your Operating System type:
- Fusion 4.x above versions: Click General. In the OS drop-down, select Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home.
- Fusion 3.x: In the left column, select Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home.
- Select Microsoft Windows > Windows 7. Click Change to apply changes.
- Click Network (Adapter).
- Remove the network adapter:
- Fusion 4.x above versions: Expand Advanced options, then select Remove Network Adapter.
- Fusion 3.x: Click the minus sign (-) to remove the network adapter. Click Remove to confirm.
- Re-add the network adapter:
- Fusion 4.x above versions: Click Add Device, select Network Adapter, then click Add.
- Fusion 3.x: Click the plus sign (+) to add the network adapter.
- Start the virtual machine.
- Click Virtual Machine > Install VMware Tools from the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click Install to confirm.
- Click Run setup.exe to start installation of VMware Tools.
- Follow onscreen prompts to install VMware Tools.
- Reboot the virtual machine when prompted.
Alternatively, you can use the upgrade disk to create a new virtual machine and then transfer your data to the new virtual machine. For more information, see Creating a new Windows 7 virtual machine from an upgrade disk (1026670).
If you lose Internet or network connectivity after the upgrade, see Troubleshooting networking and internet connection issues in VMware Fusion (1016466).