Alex Ruben
How to Create a Virtual Machine with VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro for Free
This tutorial will guide you through the steps to create a virtual machine (VM) using VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Fusion Pro for free. With these tools, you can run multiple operating systems on your computer without the need for additional hardware. By following this guide, you will learn how to download, install, and set up VMs efficiently.
Step 1: Download VMware Workstation Pro
To get started, you need to download VMware Workstation Pro for free. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Broadcom support site at
support.broadcom.com. - Create an account if you don’t have one by registering on the site.
- Navigate to the VMware Workstation Pro 17.0 for Personal Use section.
- Select the appropriate version for your operating system (e.g., Windows, Linux) and click on the download link.
Step 2: Install VMware Workstation Pro
Once the download is complete, you need to install VMware Workstation Pro:
- Open your
Downloadsfolder and double-click the downloaded executable file. - Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Once installed, search for VMware Workstation in the Start Menu and launch the application.
- Select “Use VMware Workstation 17 for Personal Use” when prompted.
Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation Pro
Now that you have VMware Workstation Pro running, you can create a new virtual machine:
- Click on Create a New Virtual Machine.
- Choose Typical for a basic setup, or Custom for more advanced configurations.
- Select the option to use an Installer disk image file (ISO) for immediate installation or choose I will install the operating system later for a blank VM.
- Pick the platform and version of the operating system you want to install, then click Next.
- Give your VM a name, set a location to save it, and click Next.
- Allocate your desired system resources (CPU, Memory, etc.) and click Next.
- Review the summary of your settings and click Finish to create the virtual machine.
Step 4: Creating a Virtual Machine Using VMware Fusion Pro
If you’re using a Mac, follow these steps to create a VM using VMware Fusion Pro:
- Go to
support.broadcom.comand download VMware Fusion 13 Pro for Personal Use. - Install the application by running the downloaded file.
- Open VMware Fusion once the installation is complete.
- Click on Create a custom virtual machine.
- Select the desired operating system and click Continue.
- If installing Windows, ensure to check UEFI and then continue with the on-screen instructions to finish setup.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are some tips to make the process easier and avoid common mistakes:
- Make sure to check your system requirements before downloading and installing either VMware product.
- If you encounter issues during installation, ensure your operating system is updated and that you have sufficient disk space.
- Utilize the community forums for specific questions or troubleshooting tips related to VMware.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully create virtual machines using VMware Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro for free. These tools enable you to explore and test different operating systems without additional costs.
