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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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

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.

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 .

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.

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