How to install Windows 7 on VMware Workstation 7.0 (A Step-by-step Guide)

This article will show you how to install Windows 7 within VMware Workstation 7.0.  This latest release from VMware was unveiled a couple weeks ago that added support for Windows 7, Aero Glass, performance improvements, and much more. Now, lets cut to the chase and get started!

To Install Windows 7 inside of VMware Workstation 7.0

Download & Install the free 30-day trial of VMware Workstation 7.0

Insert the Windows 7 install DVD into your drive

Run VMware Workstation 7.0 from the Start menu

Click New Virtual Machine

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Choose Typical and click Next

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Choose the option Installer Disc and ensure that the optical drive that has the Windows 7 installation DVD is selected.
Note: If you have Windows 7 as an ISO image, choose the option labeled: Installed disc image file (iso)

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A convenient new feature is the ability to specify your Windows 7 product key prior to starting the installation to allow for a fully-unattended install. No more coming back to your computer an hour later after you think the installation finished only to find it stuck on a screen asking for a serial number!
Go ahead and enter your Windows product key and Full name. The password is optional. Click Next.

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Now it is time to name the virtual machine and choose the location. We will keep the default location and name the VM Windows 7 Pro

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VMware needs to know how hard drive space to allocate to the Windows 7 disk. Lets stick with the 40.0 GB default and click Next.

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Now you will be presented with a summary screen that shows all the VM configuration parameters. Don’t worry, you can change most of these at any time! Click Finish to begin the installation!

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The virtual machine will now boot up and load the Windows 7 installer from the DVD. If you need to step away from the computer, go ahead, no more user-intervention is needed. But if you would like to stick around and read the rest of this post, I don’t mind 🙂

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The installer will now copy files… This will take a while…

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Your system will reboot…

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And continue installing…

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And about 30 minutes later, its all done!

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Now is a great time to save the state of your VM by taking a snapshot. This way, if you shut down VMware, you don’t have to start all over again! Right click on Windows 7 Pro in the left panel and choose Take Snapshot

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Enjoy your Windows 7 VM!

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