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Installing Windows 7 in VMware Server

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By adyesha


Installing Windows 7 in VMware Server

Introduction
To start Windows 7 installation on VMware, you will need the Windows 7 Beta installation media and VMware server 2.0. Thankfully Microsoft has made this generally available for everyone (Windows 7 Beta installation media), but with a couple of caveats;

1. The Windows 7 beta was downloadable from Microsoft until February 10th, 2009 and scheduled to stop working on August 1, 2009.
Unfortunately the download time period for window 7 installation media has passed, but you can get a product key from the Windows 7 Customer Preview site. But I Hope; some of your friend has already downloaded it (just borrow a copy from them), and all you need is the product key.

2. You will not get any technical support from Microsoft while testing the product

Normally, beta testing a new operating system would require you to have dedicated hardware resources available for testing. By using virtualization technology like VMware Server you can do this without having dedicated hardware or having to replace your existing operating system of choice.

Installing Windows 7 in VMware Server
The next natural step is to check that you have downloaded the Windows 7 ISO from Microsoft and I'll assume that you already have VMware Server installed. If thats not the case, download them both now and get VMware Server installed. I'll be right here waiting for you when you return.

Got it sorted? Good. We'll continue with the issue at hand, installing Windows 7 in VMware Server.

First off, you need to create a new VM in the VMware server console. You do this by logging in to the VMware Server Web Interface and creating a new VM by clicking the "Create Virtual Machine" link in the "Commands" action pane:

Give your new Virtual Machine a name, select your datastore and click "next".
Give your new Virtual Machine a name, select your datastore and click "next".
Since Windows 7 isn't officially supported by VMware yet, so you won't find it in the list of already predefined operating systems. I recommend selecting the predefined Windows Server 2008 setup since that lets you install VMware Tools without pro
Since Windows 7 isn't officially supported by VMware yet, so you won't find it in the list of already predefined operating systems. I recommend selecting the predefined Windows Server 2008 setup since that lets you install VMware Tools without pro
Initially I recommend setting the memory setting 512MB, even if that's lower than the minimum 1 GB recommendation by Microsoft. Windows 7 will install fine with 512MB, and it's even pretty usable after installation. Of course, you always add more mem
Initially I recommend setting the memory setting 512MB, even if that's lower than the minimum 1 GB recommendation by Microsoft. Windows 7 will install fine with 512MB, and it's even pretty usable after installation. Of course, you always add more mem
Create a new virtual disk and determine how much disk space you want to allocate to the Windows 7 installation. I created a 16GB partition.
Create a new virtual disk and determine how much disk space you want to allocate to the Windows 7 installation. I created a 16GB partition.
On the next screen, add a Network Adapter and then select "Network Connection: Bridge" in the Network Properties Page.
On the next screen, add a Network Adapter and then select "Network Connection: Bridge" in the Network Properties Page.
Next you will need the previously downloaded Windows 7 ISO file. In the CD/DVD drive dialogue box click on "Use an ISO Image" and browse to the ISO file and mount it as a CDrom. Unless you have set up a predefined datastore for ISO files, you will ne
Next you will need the previously downloaded Windows 7 ISO file. In the CD/DVD drive dialogue box click on "Use an ISO Image" and browse to the ISO file and mount it as a CDrom. Unless you have set up a predefined datastore for ISO files, you will ne
Don't add a Floppy Drive, you don't need one.
Don't add a Floppy Drive, you don't need one.
I didn't add a USB Controller in my particular setup, but you can easily include one if you want to be able to connect to USB resources on your host machine, inside the guest. If you decide you don't need one now, don't worry. You can always add one
I didn't add a USB Controller in my particular setup, but you can easily include one if you want to be able to connect to USB resources on your host machine, inside the guest. If you decide you don't need one now, don't worry. You can always add one
Review your settings and click on finish.
Review your settings and click on finish.
That's the finale of the Virtual Machine setup wizard. Now power on your newly created VM and go to the "console" tab on the top. You should be greeted with the Windows 7 Installer.
That's the finale of the Virtual Machine setup wizard. Now power on your newly created VM and go to the "console" tab on the top. You should be greeted with the Windows 7 Installer.
Go through the installer as you normally would on a physical machine, including accepting the EULA. Luckily the Windows 7 installed doesn't ask that many questions during install so it won't take that long. On my test computer the installation took a
Go through the installer as you normally would on a physical machine, including accepting the EULA. Luckily the Windows 7 installed doesn't ask that many questions during install so it won't take that long. On my test computer the installation took a
Now that the installation has finished you are almost ready to start using your virtual Windows 7 instance. I would advise that you install VMware Tools immediately though. VMware Tools is a set of essential tools and drivers that will make your virt
Now that the installation has finished you are almost ready to start using your virtual Windows 7 instance. I would advise that you install VMware Tools immediately though. VMware Tools is a set of essential tools and drivers that will make your virt
Switch to your Windows 7 console again and you should be able to start the setup procedure. Accept the default installation options, and after a quick reboot your should be ready to go.
Switch to your Windows 7 console again and you should be able to start the setup procedure. Accept the default installation options, and after a quick reboot your should be ready to go.
Your virtualized Windows 7 install is now finished, and you should be able to use it as if it were installed on a physical machine. As far as the user experience goes, it does depend on what kind of resources you have available, but there is one part
Your virtualized Windows 7 install is now finished, and you should be able to use it as if it were installed on a physical machine. As far as the user experience goes, it does depend on what kind of resources you have available, but there is one part

Summary
By utilizing VMware Server it is easy to get started with playing with the Windows 7 beta, and do so in a safe environment without disrupting or risking data loss on your computers. It eliminates the need for additional hardware for testing purposes, and generally enables you to get more out of your existing hardware.

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