Create a Virtual Machine for Any Supported Operating System

You can create a virtual machine with a guest operating system that does not have an Easy Install option if the guest operating system is supported by Fusion.

Prerequisites

If you are installing the guest operating system from an image file, verify that the image file is in a directory that is accessible to the host system.
The image file is an ISO file or, for a macOS virtual machine, a .app file. A .app file for a macOS operating system is available at the App Store.
If you are installing the guest operating system from a physical disc, insert the operating system installation disc into your Mac.

Important:

Fusion does not include any operating systems to install in virtual machines that you create. You must obtain the operating system and any necessary product keys.

Procedure

Select File > New.

A dialog box appears with the Select the Installation Method panel showing.
Locate an operating system installation disc image file and drag and drop it to Install from disc or image.

The Create a New Virtual Machine assistant starts.
Click Continue.
- If you are installing the guest operating system from an image file, verify that the image file is in a directory that is accessible to the host system.
- If you are installing the guest operating system from a physical disc, insert the operating system installation disc into your Mac.
Important:
Fusion does not include any operating systems to install in virtual machines that you create. You must obtain the operating system and any necessary product keys.

If you are installing a Windows or Linux operating system, the Easy Install panel appears.
(Optional) Deselect Use Easy Install and click Continue to skip this panel of the assistant.

In the Finish panel, you can use default settings or customize the settings before powering on the virtual machine to start the operating system installation.

Option	Action
To create the virtual machine according to the specifications listed in the Finish panel	Click Finish. Indicate the folder in which to save the virtual machine. The default is your `user`/Documents/Virtual Machines folder. To share the virtual machine with other users on the Mac host, save the virtual machine to the Shared folder and select the Share this virtual machine with other users on this Mac check box. Deselect the check box to save to the Shared folder but not share the virtual machine with other users on the Mac host. See Creating a Shared Virtual Machine in Fusion.
To change disk size or other standard settings of the virtual machine	Click Customize Settings. Save the new virtual machine. Make changes to the virtual machine’s disk size, processor usage, removable devices, and other configurations on the Settings window.

Option

Action

To create the virtual machine according to the specifications listed in the Finish panel

Click Finish.
Indicate the folder in which to save the virtual machine. The default is your user/Documents/Virtual Machines folder.
To share the virtual machine with other users on the Mac host, save the virtual machine to the Shared folder and select the Share this virtual machine with other users on this Mac check box. Deselect the check box to save to the Shared folder but not share the virtual machine with other users on the Mac host. See Creating a Shared Virtual Machine in Fusion.

To change disk size or other standard settings of the virtual machine

Click Customize Settings.
Save the new virtual machine.
Make changes to the virtual machine’s disk size, processor usage, removable devices, and other configurations on the Settings window.

What to do next

After you install the operating system in the virtual machine, install VMware Tools.