Installing a guest operating system in a virtual machine is similar to installing an operating system on a physical computer. If you do not use Easy Install when you create a virtual machine in the New Virtual Machine wizard, you must install the guest operating system manually.

You can install a guest operating system from an installer disc or ISO image file. You can also use a PXE server to install the guest operating system over a network connection. If the host configuration does not permit the virtual machine to boot from an installer disc, you can create an ISO image file from the installer disc.

Prerequisites

  • Verify that the operating system is supported. See the online VMware Compatibility Guide on the VMware Web site.

  • See the VMware Guest Operating System Installation Guide for information on the guest operating system that you are installing.

Procedure

  1. If you are installing the guest operating system from an installer disc, configure the virtual machine to use a physical CD-ROM or DVD drive and configure the drive to connect at power on.
    1. Select the virtual machine and select VM > Settings.
    2. On the Hardware tab, select CD/DVD drive.
    3. Select Connect at power on.
    4. (Remote virtual machine only) Select the location of the CD-ROM or DVD drive.
    5. Select Use physical drive and select a the drive.
    6. Click OK to save your changes.
  2. If you are installing the guest operating system from an ISO image file, configure the CD/DVD drive in the virtual machine to point to the ISO image file and configure the drive to connect at power on.
    1. Select the virtual machine and select VM > Settings.
    2. On the Hardware tab, select CD/DVD drive.
    3. Select Connect at power on.
    4. (Remote virtual machine only) Select the location of the ISO image file.
    5. Select Use ISO image file and browse to the location of the ISO image file.
    6. Click OK to save your changes.
  3. If you are installing the guest operating system from an installer disc, insert the disc in the CD-ROM or DVD drive.
  4. Power on the virtual machine.
  5. Follow the installation instructions provided by the operating system vendor.
  6. If the operating system consists of multiple installer discs and you are prompted to insert the next disc, insert the next disc in the physical drive.
  7. If the operating system consists of multiple ISO image files, select the image file for the next CD.
    1. Select VM > Removable Devices > CD/DVD > Disconnect and disconnect from the current ISO image file.
    2. Select VM > Removable Devices > CD/DVD > Settings and select the next ISO image file.
    3. Select Connected and click OK.
  8. Use the standard tools in the operating system to configure its settings.

What to do next

Install VMware Tools. You should install VMware Tools before you activate the license for the operating system. See Installing VMware Tools.