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This tutorial will show you how to install Windows 11 on a virtual machine in VMWare Workstation Player.
VMware Workstation Player, formerly known as VMware Player, is an excellent virtualization platform for installing and testing operating systems without affecting your current OS installation. For example, if you want to explore the new features and modern environment of Windows 11, then you can use VMware Player to create a new virtual machine to install and test Windows 11 in a virtual environment.
Whether you’re a techie, a developer, or just curious about what Windows 11 has to offer, in this guide we’ll show you how to create a virtual machine to install Windows 11 on your desktop or laptop in VMWare Workstation Player.
How to Install Windows 11 in VMWare Workstation Player.
Hardware Requirements:
For installing Windows 11 you need to own at least 64 GB free disk space, 8 GB RAM, and a Dual Core x64 Processor.
Step 1. Install VMware Workstation Player.
Windows 11 is supported and runs smoothly on VMware Workstation Player version 17 and later versions. So if you haven’t already done:
1. Download and install VMware Workstation 17 Player for Windows or Linux, according you OS.
Step 2. Download Windows 11 in ISO file.
To be able to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation Player you need to download an ISO image file of Windows 11. To do that:
1. Navigate to the official Windows 11 download page.
2. Scroll down and under the ‘Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices’ section select Windows 11 (multi-dition ISO for x64 devices) and then click the Download Now button.
3. Then choose the product language and click Confirm.
4. Finally click 64-bit Download.
5. Wait for the download to complete and then continue to next step.
Step 3. Create a Virtual Machine for Windows 11.
1. Open the VMware Workstation 17 Player.
2. Click Create a New Virtual Machine.
3. Click Browse at Installer disc image (iso):
4. Now select the Windows ISO file you downloaded and click Open.
5. Then click Next to continue.
6. Type a name for the virtual machine (e.g. “Windows 11_PRO”) and click Next.
7. Since Windows 11 requires a Trusted Platform Module to operate, you’ll be asked to type a password to encrypt the machine’s files. So, enter a password, check the option to Remember the password on this machine’s Credential Manager and then click Next.*
* Note: I suggest to write down the password because if you move the virtual machine to another computer and forget the password you set, you won’t be able to access it.
8. In the next window, change whether you want the capacity of the virtual disk and how you want to save the virtual disk (as a single file or split it into several files). Then click Next to continue.
9. Finally, at ‘Ready to Create Virtual Machine’ window, review the virtual machine’s settings and click Finish to create it.*
* Notes:
1. Here you also have the Customize Hardware option to customize the virtual hardware configuration, but you can also modify it after creating the virtual machine.
2. If you don’t want to start the Windows 11 installation (step-4), right after creating the virtual machine, then uncheck the option Power on this virtual machine after creation.
10. Now wait for VMware Workstation Player to create the virtual disk for Windows 11.
Step 4. Install Windows 11 on VMware Player.
1. After the creation of the virtual disk, the virtual machine will start automatically if you have selected the option “Power on this virtual machine after creation” in the previous step. If not, select the virtual machine it in VMware Player and click Play virtual machine.
2. Click with your mouse into the window and when prompted press any key to boot from CD or DVD.. (the ISO image file)
3. At language and time options click Next.
4. Then click Install now to start the Windows installation.
5. At ‘Activate Windows’ screen type a product key according the Windows 11 version that you want to install or click I don’t have a product key to activate Windows after installation.
6. At the next screen, select the Windows 11 version you want to install and click Next.
7. Then accept the license terms and click Next.
8. At “Which type of installation do you want”, click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
9. Now click on Drive 0 Unallocated Space and then click Next.
10. Windows Setup will start and when it’s done your computer will restart.
11. After computer restart, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup.
12. After entering in Windows proceed to next step to install the VMware tools to install the necessary drivers for the virtual hardware and to improve the performance of the virtual machine.
Step 5. Install VMware Tools.
1. From the Player menu click Manage and then click Install VMware tools.
2. Click Next at VMware Tools Setup wizard. *
* Note: If the VMware Tools Setup wizard does not open, open File Explorer, then explore the contents of “DVD drive (D:)” and double-click at setup.exe application.
3. Leave Typical as ‘Setup Type’ options and click Next.
4. Then click Install and wait for VMware Tools to install. When this done, click Finish and then click Yes to restart the virtual machine.
5. After installing VMware tools you’re ready to explore the new features of Windows 11.
That’s it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
