You tried Linux from a live CD. How to create your own bootable Linux Live CD. It’s easy to create a self-bootable live CD in Linux using third-party tools or official Linux operating systems. Need help? Follow the steps below to create a Linux Live CD in minutes. Now you want to install it but not sure if it’s a double boot. The sensible option is to install the selected Linux operating system in a virtual machine (VM).
This means that a software environment replicates the terms of a hardware environment: a personal computer. The environment is based on the hardware of your physical PC and is limited only by the components within it. For example, you cannot have a virtual quad-core CPU on a dual-core processor.
While virtualization can be achieved on many systems, the results are far superior on computers with a CPU that supports it.
Various virtualization tools are available to make Linux operating system (OS) installation easier. Windows offers many.
VMware produces the best-running applications for virtual machines. Learn how to install Linux on Windows using VMware Workstation Player.
Install VMware Workstation Player
To get started, visit the VMware website and download the latest version of their Workstation Player tool. At the time of writing this is version 12.5 and for the 64-bit version is around 80MB.
VMware Workstation Player is free and available in non-commercial, personal and private trial versions. VMware also welcomes students and non-profit organizations to take advantage of the free version. In terms of functionality, VMware Workstation Player includes everything you need for standard virtual machine tasks. However, VMware offers a wide range of virtualization solutions for businesses of all levels. For information on how to do this, see the product page on the website.
After VMware Workstation Player has been downloaded, it’s time for installation. A standard installation wizard will guide you through the option to install an Enhanced Keyboard Driver. This feature provides better handling of international keyboards. You probably won’t need it initially, but it’s worth installing just in case. Proceed through the installation wizard and restart Windows when prompted.
Choose your favorite Linux operating system
You probably know which Linux operating system you want to try. Some Linux distributions are particularly well suited to running in a VM Top 5 Linux operating systems to try in a virtual machine. Top 5 Linux operating systems to try in a virtual machine. Five Linux operating system distributions are particularly good for running virtual machines – check them out. Read More As a rule of thumb, you cannot run Linux distributions for the ARM architecture (e.g. the Raspberry Pi) in VMware.
This is because ARM cannot be virtualized with x86 and x64. However, it can be emulated. If you want to emulate an ARM environment in Windows, take a look at QEMU. We’ve already shown how to emulate the Raspberry Pi OS Raspbian in QEMU. How to emulate a Raspberry Pi on your PC. How to emulate a Raspberry Pi on your PC Getting a feel for it?
If you’re not sure which operating system to choose, here’s our regularly updated list of the best Linux distributions. The Best Linux Operating Systems The Best Linux Operating Systems There are Linux distributions for every purpose, which can make choosing a difficult one. Here is a list of the best Linux operating systems.
Configure your virtual machine
While your Linux ISO download is in progress, it’s a good time to start configuring your VM. First, launch VMware Workstation Player and enter your email address when prompted. This is part of the offer to get the software for free: you accept the expansion of the VMware email list.
Once this is done, the main VMware Workstation Player app will load. Click Create a new virtual machine to proceed. Select the default option, Installer Image File (ISO). (It’s possible to create a virtual system simply with a blank hard drive. I’ll install the OS later. That’s an option.)
With the operating system you want to install (known as the “guest” OS) selected, click Next. Look for a VMware Easy Install message that automates the installation of the selected guest operating system.
Create an account
On the next screen, enter your preferred name, username and password and click Next and give the VM a name. Default names often follow the name of the operating system you are installing. You can also choose a location for the VM.
Click Next again and select the disk capacity of the VM. This is a virtual hard drive stored as a file or a series of files on your computer’s physical hard drive. You can choose one of the two options. In the meantime, your virtual disk will use a recommended size, which you can either accept or change. Raising is a safer option than shrinking! Just click on your choice Next, see “Ready to create a virtual machine” screen and the option to Done. Click on it and as long as Power on this virtual machine after creation is checked, the VM will start.
Shortly after that, a warning message will pop up, showing the installation of VMware Tools for Linux package. This is not necessary, but is part of the Easy Install procedure. It’s best if you agree, so click OK.
Customize your virtual hardware
Another option on the “Ready to Build…” screen is to Customize Hardware. Here you can optimize the virtual machine hardware in other ways beyond the hard disk. You have options for memory, processors, network adapter configuration and more.
It’s worth taking a look at the processors screen. In the right pane you will find a reference to a virtualization engine. By default, this is set to Automatic. In most cases this should be fine (certainly for Linux). However, if you encounter problems, put one of the alternatives (e.g. Intel VT-x).
Fix performance issues in save screen. Here is an illustration of the recommended RAM size, minimum and maximum recommended for your virtual machine. It’s a good idea to stick to these recommendations. If you get too small, it becomes a problem. Setting RAM memory too high will impact your PC’s performance, slowing down everything from standard system tasks to running VM software!
Finally, a moment to check the display settings. Here you can toggle 3D acceleration and decide whether to use the host computer’s monitor settings or set up multiple monitors in your virtual machine. Graphics memory can also be adjusted. As with system memory for the guest operating system, a recommended amount is displayed.
Install and use Linux in VMware Workstation Player
When the ISO boots into the virtual machine, it looks like you are installing an operating system on a physical desktop machine. When using the easy installation method, this is fully automated by using your Windows host OS configuration to apply regional settings in the virtual guest OS.
Note that if you selected the I will install the operating system later option, you have full control over the operating system installation.
With the easy installation, after the installation is complete, you can log in to the virtual machine and use the guest operating system. As simple as that!
If you’ve never used Linux before, take a look at the many Linux operating system guides on Internet.
Run any Linux distribution in a virtual machine on Windows!
If you want to keep a Linux distro within reach, consider installing it in a virtual machine in Windows. VMware Workstation Player offers the best tools for this. Better still, the process is straightforward:
- Download the free VMware Workstation Player.
- Install Windows and restart Windows.
- Create and configure your virtual machine.
- Install Linux in the virtual machine.
- Reboot the virtual machine and use Linux.
It is really that easy. You don’t even have to limit yourself to one operating system. Choose from hundreds (if not thousands) of Linux distributions to install in a VMware-based virtual machine. 7 reasons to use a virtual machine 7 reasons to use a virtual machine The term “virtual” has been chosen in so many ways. Virtual reality. Virtual RAM Virtual Schools. However, virtualization in the context of PCs can be confusing. We’re here to clear it up. You don’t have to stop there: Windows can be installed on a Mac using VMWare Fusion. VMware Fusion 11 makes virtual machines even better That’s why it’s a great update for anyone who needs to run a virtual machine on their Mac or PC. The best way to try out a new operating system is to install a virtual machine on your computer’s existing operating system. You can also run macOS Sierra on Windows 10 (i.e. Create a Virtual Hackintosh).