Virtual machines are a game changer when testing new software and operating systems without compromising your main device.
And while creating a virtual machine may sound intimidating, this guide will show you how easy it is to create one using VMware Fusion. Are you ready to jumpstart your virtualization journey?
Look no further than this step-by-step tutorial on how to create a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion!
Contents
Overview of VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion is a powerful virtual machine software for Mac users. With VMware Fusion, you can run Windows on your Mac without restarting your computer.
VMware Fusion is easy to use and has many features, making it an excellent choice for running Windows on a Mac.
VMware Fusion allows you to access Windows apps and features on your Mac and use advanced features like Unity, snapshots, linked clones, and more.
It also provides robust security options that protect your system from malware and malicious users.
Additionally, VMware Fusion offers a range of support options to help you get up and running quickly.
Choosing Operating System and Version
There are a few things to consider when choosing the operating system and version for your new virtual machine in VMware Fusion. If you’re unsure what to choose, we recommend starting with the latest macOS version.
If you’re running an older macOS version, you can still use VMware Fusion to create a virtual machine.
However, you must download an older software version from the VMware website. We recommend using the most recent release compatible with your current operating system.
VMware Fusion also supports various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD.
If you plan on running any of these operating systems on your virtual machine, check the VMware website’s compatibility list before downloading and installing them.
Finally, be sure to research the system requirements for each operating system before making a decision.
Different versions of the same operating system may require different amounts of RAM and disk space to run correctly.
Check the manufacturer’s website for more information on the hardware requirements for your chosen OS.
Assigning Resources to Virtual Machine
To assign resources to the new virtual machine, open the Settings window for the virtual machine and select Processor & Memory from the options on the left.
Here, you can specify how many processors and memory you want to allocate to the virtual machine. You can also specify other options, such as network connectivity, display settings, etc.
Once you have finished assigning resources to the virtual machine, save the settings and start the virtual machine. The resources will then be available for use by the virtual machine.
Setting Security Access Options
You can set security access options when creating a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion.
By default, the security access options allow all users on the host system full access to the virtual machine.
However, you may want to restrict access to only certain users or groups. To do this, select the “Only allow selected users and groups” option and click the “+” button to add users or groups that should have access.
You can also specify the access each user or group should have. The available options are “Read & Write,” “Read Only,” and “No Access.” Choose the option that best fits your needs.
Once you have set the security access options, click the “OK” button to save your changes.
Installing Applications on Your Virtual Machines
Launch the program and open the Virtual Machine Library window if you have already downloaded and installed VMware Fusion.
The library will be empty if this is your first time using Fusion. To add a new virtual machine, click the “+” symbol in the bottom-left corner of the window. You will be prompted to select an installer for your operating system of choice.
If you have an ISO file or bootable media for your desired OS, select “Use another disc or disk image.” Choose the ISO file from your computer’s filesystem and click “Continue.”
If you do not have an ISO file but instead have a physical disc such as a DVD or CD, insert it into your computer’s optical drive and select “Install from disc or image.” Once again, click “Continue.”
You will now be asked to choose a name and location for your new virtual machine. Give it a name (e.g., “Windows 10”) and choose where on your hard drive you would like it to reside.
Click “Create,” and Fusion will begin creating your new VM. Depending on the size of your ISO file, this could take a few minutes.
Once your VM has been created, boot it up by selecting it in the library window and clicking the “Startup” button in the toolbar above.
The VMware Fusion welcome screen will greet you; from here, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of your chosen operating system.
Completing your Virtual Set Up
Once you have VMware Fusion installed, you must set up at least one virtual machine (VM) before using it.
This process is pretty simple and straightforward, but there are a few things you need to know before getting started.
First, decide what operating system you want to install on your VM. VMware Fusion supports various OSes, so you should be able to find something that meets your needs.
Once you’ve decided on an OS, the next step is obtaining installation media. This could be an ISO image of the OS installer disc or a physical disc that you insert into your computer’s optical drive.
Next, launch VMware Fusion and click the “Create a new virtual machine” button in the main window. You’ll be presented with several options for setting up your VM.
If you have an installation disc or ISO image, choose the “Install from disc or image” option and click Continue.
Otherwise, select the “Install from file archive” option if you have a zipped file containing all the necessary installation files.
Click Continue again and select your installation media from the list that appears. If you choose the “Install from disc or image” option, VMware will automatically detect the operating system type and version number from the media. If not, select the appropriate OS from the drop-down list.
The next step is to enter a name for your VM and pick a location on your hard drive where you want the files to be stored. When you’re done, click “Create” and wait for the setup process to finish.
Finally, configure any remaining settings, such as network connections, memory or processor requirements, before running the OS installer from within VMware Fusion.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re having trouble creating a new virtual machine in VMware fusion, you can try a few things.
First, ensure you have the latest version of VMware fusion installed. You can check for updates by visiting the VMware fusion website and clicking the “downloads” page.
Once you’ve installed the latest version of VMware fusion, try restarting your computer and then opening up VMware fusion again. If that doesn’t work, reset your computer’s BIOS settings to their default values.
Still, having trouble? Contact VMware support or check out their online knowledge base for more help.
Conclusion
Creating a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion is straightforward and easy.
With this guide, we’ve walked through the steps and highlighted some available customization options.
Whether you’re running Windows or Mac, creating a new VM with VMware Fusion should be an enjoyable experience for all users.
If you follow our instructions carefully, your VM should be created without issues!
