How to Install Windows 7 on VMWare

You have just downloaded the new operating system: Windows 7, but you don't know how to install it. Well, install a new operating system is a little dangerous. Don't worry, you can use VMWare to do some experiments, if you like it, you can install it in your computer later.

Solution

1. Install VMware first, then click "New Virtual Machine" to create a new virtual machine in VMWare.

Create a new virtual machine

2. Choose a type of configuration. In the following page, you can see "Typical" was selected by default.

Normally, you can click "Next" directly to "create a workstation 6.5 virtual machine in a few easy steps".

Setup windows 7 in vmware

3. Select "Install disc image file(iso)", then browse your disc image file of Windows 7, click "Next".

install windows 7 in VMware

4. Type your windows 7 product key and personalize information in the following dialog, include Full name, Password. Write down your Full name and Password, because it will be used for login to the Windows 7 Virtual Machine.

install windows 7 in VMware

5. Name your Windows 7 virtual machine, so as to others connect to your windows 7 virtual machine via local area network.

name the windows 7 virtual machine

6. Distribute Maxium disk size for your Windows 7, The Virtual machine's hard disk is stored as one or more files on the host computer's physical disk. These file(s) start small and become lager as your add applications, files, and data to your virtual machine.

The Maximum disk space must smaller than the disk whick the Windows 7 virtual machine will be located. Generally speaking, to install and use Windows 7, you'd better split more than 8GB in vmware disk. I recommand you distribute 16 GB by default.

Click "next".

distribute disk space of windows 7 virtual machine

7. Click "Finish" to start install Windows 7 virtual machine.

install windows 7 in VMware

Wait for a moment, VMWare will startup automatically.

After virtual machine installation start, you will see the following dialog. Select your language, time'and currency format, keyboard or input method, then click "Next".

choose language of your Windows 7

Click "Install Now" to start install your Windows 7 virtual machine use VMware.

install windows 7 in VMware

Waiting for a moment. In the following picture, you can see Vmware is installing Windows 7 virtual machine for you.

install windows 7 in VMware

Read the license terms of install Windows 7 and accept it, then click "Next".

accept the license

Click Custom(advanced), but do not upgrade.

install windows 7 in VMware

Choose a hard drive to install your Windows 7. Then click "next". The hard drive must larger than "Maxium disk size" of your Windows 7 virtual machine.

Choose a hard drive to install windows 7 in VMwareIf you want to partition it, you can click "Drive options (advanced)".

Waiting for installing Windows 7 virtual machine, it will take you about 10 minutes.

setup windows 7 in vmware

After installing, Windows 7 virtual machine will be restarted automatically.

windows 7 is starting

Wait for a moment. Setup is preparing your Windows 7 virtual machine for first use.

preparing your windows 7 virtual machine for first use

Type a username and computer name for your Windows 7 virtual machine, then click "next".

choose a username for your account in windows 7

Type a password twice for your Windows 7 virtual machine, then click "next"

set a password for your Windows 7 virtual machine

Type your windows 7 product key in the following dialog, then click "Next".

type windows 7 product key

Click Use recommended settings to protect your virtual computer and improve Windows 7 automatically.

security settings of windows 7

Review time and date settings of Windows 7 virtual machine.

set time and date of Windows 7

After a few minutes, you will see desktop of windows 7 display on your VMWare.

Windows 7 is finalizing settings.

Windows 7 VMware

Windows 7 virtual machine is preparing desktop.

Windows 7 virtual machine starting

Destop of Windows 7 virtual machine. Now you finished install Windows 7 virtual machine use VMware.

install windows 7 compeleted

Tips

You can also install windows Vista, Windows XP in VMware use this Tutorial.

How to run Virtual Operating Systems from a Windows Desktop

Introduction to Virtual PC

Virtualization is used by large organizations for improved management & security of servers. Virtual PC can be used on desktop computers to get the same benefits.

Virtual PC has been available as a free download from Microsoft for some time now, but not many are taking advantage of this product. In this article we will learn exactly what Virtual PC is, how it works and how it can be used for an improved computing experience.

What is Virtual PC
Virtual PC allows a computer to create a work space in which another operating system can run just like a software program. Instead of installing a new operating system like Windows XP or Vista on a computer, it can be run inside of the existing operating system installed on the machine.

Multiple virtual PC work spaces or images can be run at the same time. Each requires dedicated resources on the computer so enough memory, processing power and drive space must be available for each image being used. Virtual PC will run on most Windows XP, Vista or Server 2003 and higher platforms. The operating system being used in the image can be non-Microsoft such as UNIX, Linux or OS/2.

How Virtual PC Works
Each virtual PC image will have at least one virtual hard disk that is represented on the file system as a file with a vhd extension. The vhd file will contain all the configuration information of the virtual operating system. These files can be created and managed using the virtual PC console that is installed with the program.

The hardware resources allocated to the vhd file are managed by means of another file that has a vmc extension. It controls the size and configuration of resources given to the image such as:

Read more at Suite101: Introduction to Virtual PC: How to run Virtual Operating Systems from a Windows Desktop | Suite101.com http://computersoftware.suite101.com/article.cfm/introduction_to_virtual_pc#ixzz0ZUGf9hYK

1. Memory
2. Network
3. Peripherals

The number of vhd files and the configuration of the vmc used to control the image can be modified whenever it is necessary.

What can Virtual PC Do?
One way to use Virtual PC is for running old programs that require an older operating system. Someone that has old games or accounting programs that need to run on Windows 98 for example could do so without needing another machine. Even MS-DOS and their programs can be run in this environment.

Some like the idea of running another operating system without having to remove the existing one or setting up a dual boot configuration. Testing new programs in a virtual environment without changing the configuration of a computer is a big plus for many.

Regardless of whether virtualization is used to manage software or experiment with other operating systems, its advantages make it well worth a look. Virtual PC makes such an examination easy and convenient.

Read more at Suite101: Introduction to Virtual PC: How to run Virtual Operating Systems from a Windows Desktop | Suite101.com http://computersoftware.suite101.com/article.cfm/introduction_to_virtual_pc#ixzz0ZUGlRSP3

How to restore Windows XP to a previous state

This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous state. System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores this information as restore points. If your computer is not functioning correctly, you can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state when your computer was functioning correctly. It can also change scripts, batch files, and other kinds of executable files on your computer.

This article is for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

Note System Restore does not affect personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos. You can only restore files that you have deleted if you have made backups of those files.

This article contains help for System Restore when Windows XP starts. For additional information about steps to take if Windows XP does not start, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
304449 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/ ) How to start the System Restore tool from a command prompt in Windows XP

How to use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state
Note To perform System Restore, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator. If this is your personal computer, you are likely already logged on with an administrator account. If this is a computer that is part of a network at work, you might have to ask the system administrator for help. To verify that you are logged on to Windows with a user account that is a computer administrator, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin)
To use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state, follow these steps:
Log on to Windows as Administrator.
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.

Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page is displayed.
Click OK.
If you successfully restored your computer to a previous state, and the computer is performing as it should be, you are finished.

If the restore process completed successfully but the computer is still not performing as you want, go to the "How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore" section. If you received an error message and the restore process did not finish, or if you cannot run System Restore, go to the "Next Steps" section.

How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore
You may have unintentionally restored Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration, follow these steps:
Log on to Windows as Administrator.
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next.

Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
Click OK. You can now run System Restore again from a different restore point.

If these methods did not work for you, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:
Searchable Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1) : Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
Solution Centers (http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub) : View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
Microsoft Customer Support Newsgroups (http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx) : Contact counterparts, peers, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs).
Other Support Options (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=csshome) : Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.
If you continue to have problems, you might want to contact Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus)

For additional information about System Restore,
Click Start.
Click Help and Support.
Type system restore in the Search box, and then press ENTER.