Knowledge Base

The VMware Knowledge Base provides support solutions, error messages and troubleshooting guides
 
Search the VMware Knowledge Base (KB)   View by Article ID
 

Upgrading a Fusion virtual machine from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (1018441)

Purpose

This article provides the necessary information for upgrading the operating system of a Fusion virtual machine running Windows Vista to Windows 7.
 
Note: You must be running Fusion 3 or later. Windows 7 is not supported in Fusion 1.x or Fusion 2.x.
 
If you are looking to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7, please see Upgrading a VMware Fusion virtual machine from Windows XP to Windows 7 (1015396).

Resolution

To upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7, see Microsoft's article Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7.  
 
Note: The preceding link was valid as of September 27, 2012. If you find the link to be broken, provide feedback on the article and a VMware employee will update the article. 

Additional Information

Before running the Windows Upgrade Advisory, change your virtual machine type from Windows Vista to Windows 7 and to reinstall VMware Tools. This will ensure you have the drivers that the Upgrade Advisory requires.
 
To change your virtual machine type:

In Fusion 5.x and 4.x:
  1. In Fusion, click Window > Virtual Machine Library.
  2. Select the Windows Vista virtual machine that you are upgrading and ensure it is shut down and not suspended.
  3. From the Apple menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Settings > General.
  4. Click the drop-down menu beside OS and select Microsoft Windows > Windows 7 (or Windows 7 x64, if you are installing the 64-bit version of Windows).
In Fusion 3.x:
  1. In Fusion, click Window > Virtual Machine Library.
  2. Select the Windows Vista virtual machine that you are upgrading. Ensure that it is shut down and not suspended.
  3. Click the drop-down menu beneath the virtual machine's name (in the right-hand pane) and click Microsoft Windows > Windows 7 (or Windows 7 x64, if you are installing the 64-bit version of Windows).
After changing your virtual machine type, install VMware Tools once more and reboot Windows as prompted.
 
Note: Neither the Operating System upgrade nor the virtual machine type change will change the name of your virtual machine (as displayed in Fusion) or the name of the virtual machine bundle (and the files it contains) on your Mac. You can change the name of your virtual machine in Fusion by clicking the name in the right side of the Virtual Machine Library, or in virtual machine's Settings. VMware does not recommend changing the name of the virtual machine bundle or the files it contains.

Tags

install-windows-7  windows-7  virtual-machine-upgrade

Update History

07/01/2010 -- Added note to clarify virtual machine name.

Request a Product Feature

To request a new product feature or to provide feedback on a VMware product, please visit the Request a Product Feature page.

Feedback

  • 11 Ratings

Did this article help you?
This article resolved my issue.
This article did not resolve my issue.
This article helped but additional information was required to resolve my issue.
What can we do to improve this information? (4000 or fewer characters)
  • 11 Ratings
Actions
KB: