Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware

In this article, WebTech360 will guide you how to install and experience Windows 11 on VMWare virtual machine. This installation method helps you have a smooth Windows 11 version with internet connection.

Prerequisites for Installing Windows 11 on VMware

Here's what you need to install Windows 11 with TPM support in VMware Workstation 17 Player:

  • Windows 11 ISO image file. Check out Quantrimang.com's detailed guide on how to download Windows 11 ISO file .
  • Windows 10 or later operating systems with TPM 2.0 and virtualization support.
  • The latest version of VMware Workstation 17 Player must be pre-installed on the host system.
  • Enough computer resources to run Windows 11 as a virtual machine. This list includes 64GB of disk space, 4GB of RAM, and a dual-core x64 processor.

Once you have the required ISO file and the latest copy of VMware on your system, you can proceed to create a virtual machine and install Windows 11.

How to Install Windows 11 in VMware Workstation 17 Player

First, we will create a virtual machine in VMware for Windows 11. Then, we will install Windows 11 on the virtual machine. Finally, we will install VMware tools to complete the virtual machine setup.

1. Create a Windows 11 virtual machine

Here's how to create a virtual machine for Windows 11 in VMware:

1. Launch VMware Player on the system. On the home page, click on the Create a new virtual machine option .

2. Select I will install the operating system later and click the Next button.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Create Windows 11 Virtual Machine In VMware Workstation 17 Player

3. Keep the Guest Operating System option as Windows and then click on the drop-down menu. Select the Windows 11 x64 option and click on the Next button.

4. Enter an appropriate name for the new Windows 11 virtual machine. Then, click the Browse button to select a location on the drive to create the virtual disk. Click Next.

5. On the Encryption information page , select the encryption type as Only the files needed to support a TPM are encrypted .

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Enable encryption in Windows 11 virtual machines in VMware Workstation 17 Player

6. You need to create an 8-character password to encrypt the virtual machine. Keep the Remember the password on this machine in Credential Manager check box selected . Click the Next button to continue.

7. Now, specify the disk space and set the maximum disk size to 64GB. Increase the space if you want to install more programs in the virtual machine.

8. Select the Split virtual disk into multiple files option and click Next.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Adjust Windows 11 virtual machine disk size in VMware Workstation 17 Player

VMware will display a summary of all the settings you've selected for your Windows 11 virtual machine. But there's still one thing missing: you haven't customized the hardware options or added the Windows 11 ISO file to the virtual machine.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Configure Windows 11 virtual machine resources in VMware Workstation 17 Player

1. Click the Customize Hardware button. Under the Memory tab , increase the RAM allocation to 6GB or more to avoid a sluggish Windows 11 experience.

2. Switch to the Processors tab and allocate 4 or more cores to the Windows virtual machine.

3. Next, move to the New CD/DVD (SATA) tab and click on the Use ISO image file option located under the Connection section.

4. Click the Browse button and select the Windows 11 ISO image file you downloaded earlier. Click the Open button.

5. Now, close the Hardware window and click the Finish button to create the new virtual machine.

2. Install Windows 11 on a virtual machine

Repeat the following steps to install Windows 11 on the newly created virtual machine:

1. Navigate to the left menu and select the Windows 11 virtual machine. Click on the Play virtual machine option .

2. Press any key on the keyboard to boot from the ISO file. Select the appropriate language and region, then click the Next button. Then, click the Install now button.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Install Windows 11 virtual machine in VMware Workstation 17 Player

3. In the Windows setup window, click on the I don't have a product key option .

4. Select your Windows 11 edition (Home, Pro, or Education) and click the Next button.

5. Accept the End User License Agreement and select the Custom installation option .

6. Click the Next button. Setup will begin installing Windows 11. The virtual machine will restart a few times.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Install Windows 11 virtual machine in VMware Workstation 17 Player 2

7. After the machine boots up, select the correct region and click the Yes button. Select the appropriate keyboard layout.

8. Windows 11 will force you to add a Microsoft account. To avoid this, press Shift + F10 , type the command oobe\bypassnro and press Enter.

9. The virtual machine will restart. Click on the I don't have internet option .

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Setting up a Windows 11 virtual machine in VMware Workstation 17 Player

10. Enter a name for your Windows PC and assign a password. Choose 3 security questions and continue.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Setting up a Windows 11 virtual machine in VMware Workstation 17 Player 2

11. Uncheck all tracking options on the Privacy settings page and click the Accept button.

12. Wait for the setup process to complete the changes and restart your computer.

3. Install VMware tools

Your Windows 11 virtual machine is up and running in VMware. But it's not complete. Many useful features won't be enabled until you install VMware tools in your Windows 11 virtual machine. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the top menu of VMware Player and click the Player button.

2. Select the Manage option from the drop-down menu and click on the Install VMware tools option . It will mount the VMware tools setup image file in Windows File Explorer.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Install VMware tools

3. Press Win + E to launch File Explorer and open the mounted ISO file drive.

4. Locate and select the setup64.exe file. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the setup with admin rights.

5. In the VMware tools installation window, click the Next button and select the Complete installation option .

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Select the Complete installation option

6. Then click on the Install button. Once the installation is complete, click on the Finish button.

7. Finally, click the Yes button to restart the virtual machine and apply the changes.

Instructions for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine, installing Windows 11 on VMware
Windows 11 VM in VMware Workstation 17 Player

Windows 11 virtual machine is ready to use. You can even run Windows features like Hyper V, Windows MDAG, and Sandbox inside this machine.

Leave a Comment

Ubuntu 24.04 Won’t Show HDMI Audio? Restore the Output

Ubuntu 24.04 Won’t Show HDMI Audio? Restore the Output

Get Ubuntu to detect your monitor or TV as an audio output, select it in Sound settings, and check the connection or PipeWire device list if HDMI is missing.

Fix APT Signature Errors by Repairing the Repository Key

Fix APT Signature Errors by Repairing the Repository Key

Resolve Ubuntu APT signature warnings safely by identifying the failing source, refreshing its verified key, and checking the result without disabling security.

How to Convert Three-Phase Voltage, Current, kW, kVA, and Power Factor

How to Convert Three-Phase Voltage, Current, kW, kVA, and Power Factor

Learn the balanced three-phase formulas and convert line voltage, current, kW, kVA, and power factor step by step, with a worked example and limits to check.

Cap a Command’s CPU and Memory Use with Ubuntu cgroups

Cap a Command’s CPU and Memory Use with Ubuntu cgroups

Run a workload inside a systemd scope with CPUQuota and MemoryMax, then verify the limits through cgroup v2.

Encrypt Pi-hole Upstream DNS on Ubuntu Server 24.04

Encrypt Pi-hole Upstream DNS on Ubuntu Server 24.04

Set up dnscrypt-proxy as Pi-hole’s local DoH bridge on Ubuntu 24.04, with a localhost-only listener, resolver selection, and checks before switching DNS.

Get Ubuntu 24.04 Touchpad Gestures Working on Wayland

Get Ubuntu 24.04 Touchpad Gestures Working on Wayland

Check Ubuntu’s touchpad settings, confirm Wayland, and test GNOME’s built-in swipes before troubleshooting apps or hardware.

Build a Debian 12 RAID 1 Mirror with mdadm

Build a Debian 12 RAID 1 Mirror with mdadm

Create and verify a two-disk Debian 12 RAID 1 data array, format it safely, and configure it to assemble and mount after reboot.

Encrypt Debian 12 Swap with a Fresh Key at Every Boot

Encrypt Debian 12 Swap with a Fresh Key at Every Boot

Set up random-key encryption for an existing Debian 12 swap partition, verify the active dm-crypt mapping, and understand the hibernation trade-off.

How to Restrict SSH Users to Specific Directories on Ubuntu 24.04 (SFTP Chroot Guide)

How to Restrict SSH Users to Specific Directories on Ubuntu 24.04 (SFTP Chroot Guide)

Restrict Ubuntu 24.04 SSH accounts to designated SFTP folders with chroot, proper permissions, Match rules, and safe tests—without granting shell access.

Release Ubuntu’s APT Lock Safely and Finish the Update

Release Ubuntu’s APT Lock Safely and Finish the Update

Find which process owns Ubuntu’s dpkg frontend lock, let package work finish, and repair interrupted installations without deleting lock files.