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Installing Windows in a virtual machine using VMware Fusion Easy Install (1011677)

Purpose

VMware Fusion has a feature called Easy Install, which makes it faster to install Windows in virtual machines.

This article provides the steps to create a new Windows virtual machine using the Easy Install method.

Installation instructions if you are not using Easy Install can be found in the Guest Operatng System Installation Guide.

If you would like to make your existing physical PC into a virtual machine, you can use Migration Assistant (Fusion 3.x and later only). For information, see Best practices for using and troubleshooting Migration Assistant (1017993).

Resolution

 
 
Notes:
  • Before creating a virtual machine, you must obtain the operating system and any necessary product keys for installation in that virtual machine. VMware Fusion does not come with any operating systems to install in virtual machines you create.
  • This method assumes that you are using a physical CD or a disk image (.iso / .cdr /.dmg file). You cannot create a Windows virtual machine by using .exe files downloaded from Microsoft, as those files need to be run on a Windows PC. If you downloaded a .exe file from Microsoft, log in to your order page, locate the alternate download link, and select one of the two .ISO file formats, either 32-bit or 64-bit.

To create a new Windows virtual machine using the Easy Install method:

  1. In Fusion, go to File >New. The New Virtual Machine Assistant launches.
  2. If you have a physical CD/DVD of Windows, proceed to step 3. If you are using an .iso/.cdr /.dmg image file:

    1. Select Continue without disc.
    2. Click Use operating system installation disc image.
    3. Navigate to the folder where the downloaded image is located.
    4. Select the operating system image and click Choose.

      If you are using the Mac's Remote Disc feature, see Using the MacBook Air's Remote Disc feature with Fusion (1013659).

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to choose the operating system type that matches your installation media, appropriate license information and settings. For more information, see Creating a Virtual Machine Using Windows Easy Install in Getting Started with Fusion.
  4. Click Finish to begin the Windows installation process.
  5. Allow the Windows installer to complete as it would on a physical PC.

For more information, see the Guest Operating System Installation Guide.

Additional Information

If the new virtual machine starts with the error No bootable device was detected, see Creating a Fusion virtual machine with a disk image (1015406).

If Windows does not recognize your license key, or if the Windows installer incorrectly reports that an existing copy of Windows needs to be present, see Creating a custom virtual machine in Fusion (1013810).

The VMware Tools installation should start automatically, once Windows has loaded. If it does not, see Installing VMware Tools in a Fusion virtual machine running Windows (1003417).

Tags

 fusion-windows-create-virtual-machine

See Also

Update History

05/19/2010 - Added link to video; Simplified steps; Added links to 1015406, 1013810, 1003417. 07/20/2010 - Added information, link to making a physical PC into a VM. 09/27/2010 - Added Symptoms to make this article easier to find. 10/08/2010 - Added link for MacBook Air information. 05/27/2011 - Added steps on creating a VM using .iso image 01/13/2011 - Updated title and purpose 08/23/2012 - Added Fusion 5.x to Products

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