1. Linux

2. Windows

2.1. Installation

  • Note: Copy the VMware Workstation Player installation file to the local hard drive. If it is located on a network drive the installation may fail due to the network connection being temporarily disconnected.

  • Run the VMware-player-15.5.2-15785246.exe file with administrative privileges.

  • Click Next.

  • Check I accept the terms in the License Agreement.

  • Click Next.

    Install to:     C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Player
□ Enhanced Keyboard Driver (a reboot will be required to use this feature)

  • Click Next.

  • Uncheck Join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program.

    ■ Check for product updates on startup
□ Join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program

  • Click Next.

  • Uncheck Desktop.

    □ Desktop
■ Start Menu Programs Folder

  • Click Next.

  • Click Install.

  • Click Finish.

The Virtual Network Editor is only included with the VMware Workstation Pro version. However, we can extract the editor from the VMware Workstation Pro installation file having the same version number as the VMware Workstation Player installation file.

  • Extract the vmnetcfg.exe file from the Workstation.cab archive from the VMware-workstation-full-15.1.0-13591040.exe file.

  • Move the vmnetcfg.exe file to the C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Player folder.

2.2. Configuration

  • Start VMware Workstation Player.

    ● Use VMware Workstation 15 Player for free for non-commercial use
○ Enter a license key to allow comercial use:

  • Click Continue.

  • Click Finish.

  • Close VMware Workstation Player.

  • Start Windows Explorer.

  • Create the D:\VMware\Virtual Machines folder.

  • Select the C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\VMware folder.

  • Append the following line to the preferences.ini file.

    prefvmx.defaultvmpath = "D:\VMware\Virtual Machines"

  • Close Windows Explorer.

  • Start Virtual Network Editor.

    • VMware Workstation Player: Run the C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Player\vmnetcfg.exe file with administrative privileges.

    • VMware Workstation Pro: Select Edit > Virtual Network Editor.

  • Select VMnet1.

  • Set Subnet IP to 192.168.100.0.

  • Click Apply

  • Select VMnet8.

  • Set Subnet IP to 192.168.200.0.

  • Click Apply

    Name Type External Connection Host Connection DHCP Subnet Address

    VMnet0

    Bridged

    Auto-bridging

    -

    -

    -

    VMnet1

    Host-only

    -

    Connected

    Enabled

    192.168.100.0

    VMnet8

    NAT

    NAT

    Connected

    Enabled

    192.168.200.0

  • Click OK

  • Close Virtual Network Editor.

  • Enter the following commands in a Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

    type C:\ProgramData\VMware\vmnetdhcp.conf

2.3. Usage

  • Press Ctrl+G to grab input from keyboard and mouse.

  • Press Ctrl+Alt to release the mouse pointer.

2.3.1. Create Virtual Machine.

  • Start VMware Workstation Player.

  • Select Create a New Virtual Machine.

  • Choose I will install the operating system later.

    ○ Installer disc:
○ Installer disc image file (iso):
● I will install the operating system later.

  • Click Next.

  • Choose Microsoft Windows.

  • Select Windows Server 2016.

    Guest operating system:
● Microsoft Windows
○ Linux
○ Other

Version:                Windows Server 2016

  • Click Next.

    Virtual machine name:   Windows Server 2019
Location:               D:\VMware\Virtual Machines\Windows Server 2019

  • Click Next.

  • Choose Store virtual disk as a single file.

    Maximum disk size (GB): 60.0

● Store virtual disk as a single file
○ Split virtual disk into multiple files

  • Click Next.

  • Optional: Click Customize Hardware.

  • Optional: Click Close.

    Name:                   Windows Server 2019
Location:               D:\VMware\Virtual Machines\Windows Server 2019
Version:                Workstation 15.x
Operating System:       Windows Server 2016

Hard Disk:              60 GB
Memory:                 2048 MB
Network Adapter:        NAT
Other Devices:          2 CPU cores, CD/DVD, USB Controller, Printer, Sound...

  • Click Finish.

  • Close VMware Workstation Player.

2.3.2. Edit Virtual Machine Settings.

  • Start VMware Workstation Player.

  • Select the virtual machine.

  • Select Edit virtual machine settings.

  • Select the Processors tab.

  • Check Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI.

    ■ Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
□ Virtualize CPU performance counters
□ Virtualize IOMMU (IO memory management unit)

  • Select the CD/DVD (SATA) tab.

  • Choose Use ISO image file.

  • Click Browse.

  • Select the W:\Images\Windows\Windows Server 2019\en_windows_server_version_1903_x64_dvd_58ddff4b.iso file.

  • Click Open.

  • Click OK.

  • Close VMware Workstation Player.

2.4. VMware Tools

  • Note: Make sure to have internet connection.

  • Start VMware Workstation Player.

  • Start the virtual machine.

  • Select Player > Manage > Install VMware Tools.

  • Click Download and Install.

  • Wait for the download to finish.

  • 32-bit: Type R:\setup.exe in a Command Prompt with administrative privileges and press Enter.

  • 64-bit: Type R:\setup64.exe in a Command Prompt with administrative privileges and press Enter.

  • Click Next.

  • Choose Typical.

  • Click Next.

  • Click Install.

  • Click Finish.

  • Click Yes to restart the virtual machine.

  • Shutdown the virtual machine.

  • Close VMware Workstation Player.