How to Create a Virtual Machine in VMware Player

Learn how to create a VMware Player virtual machine, choose an installer disc or ISO, configure the guest OS, storage location, virtual disk, and prepare for installation.

A virtual machine (VM) is an isolated, software-based computer that runs on a physical computer. VMware Player provides the virtual hardware container—such as a processor, memory, storage, and network adapter—while your physical computer supplies the underlying resources.

The operating system installed on the physical computer is the host operating system. The operating system installed inside VMware Player is the guest operating system. Creating a VM defines the guest computer's virtual hardware and storage before or during guest OS installation.

What the New Virtual Machine wizard does

The New Virtual Machine wizard is VMware Player's guided setup process for defining a VM. It collects the guest operating system, installation source, VM name, storage folder, virtual disk capacity, and virtual disk file format.

The wizard creates the VM definition and its virtual disk. It does not make the guest operating system usable by itself unless you also provide bootable installation media and complete the OS installation.

Start the New Virtual Machine wizard

Open VMware Player on the host computer.
Open the application menu and select Player > File > New Virtual Machine.
When the wizard opens, select how you will provide the guest operating system installer.

Player > File > New Virtual Machine

Menu names can vary slightly between VMware Player releases, but the command is the option for creating a new virtual machine.

Choose the operating system installation source

The first major decision is whether the guest OS installer is available on a physical optical disc, as an ISO image file, or not yet available. An installer disc is a bootable optical disc containing the operating system installer. An ISO image is a file that represents the contents of an optical installation disc.

Physical installer disc
Source: A bootable optical disc in the host computer's drive.
Best use: You have a physical installation disc and an optical drive is available.
After creation: VMware Player can connect the virtual optical drive to the physical disc so the VM can boot from it.

ISO image file
Source: A downloaded or otherwise valid operating-system ISO file.
Best use: You have a digital installer, which is common for current operating systems and test environments.
After creation: VMware Player can connect the virtual optical drive to the ISO and begin installation when the VM starts.

Install operating system later
Source: No installer is attached during the wizard.
Best use: You want to create the VM first, or you will provide installation media later.
After creation: VMware Player creates a VM with an empty virtual disk. You must attach a bootable disc or ISO and manually install the guest OS before normal use.

Using an ISO installer

Select the option to install from an ISO image file.
Browse to the operating system's ISO file.
Confirm that the selected file is the intended bootable installer.
Continue to the guest operating system selection page.

Choose an ISO that matches the guest computer's architecture and the operating system edition you intend to install. If VMware Player offers an easy-install option, review its settings carefully; otherwise, continue with the normal installer.

Creating a blank VM

Select Install operating system later when you want to defer installation. This creates the virtual hardware definition and an empty virtual disk, but it does not install an operating system. A blank VM must later be powered on with an installer disc or ISO attached.

Select the guest operating system type

Select the guest OS family and version that best match the operating system you plan to install. For example, choose the appropriate Linux family for a Linux distribution or the appropriate Windows family for a Windows installation.

This selection gives VMware Player suitable default virtual hardware settings and helps it identify the guest OS. It does not replace the operating system installation and does not guarantee that every version-specific feature is configured.

If the intended OS is not listed, choose the closest appropriate family and version when possible. Use the Other category when no suitable preset is available. You may need to adjust virtual hardware or guest settings manually after installation.

If you later need to correct this setting, see change the guest operating system version.

Name and locate the virtual machine

Enter a recognizable VM name, such as Ubuntu-Training or Windows-Test.
Choose the folder where VMware Player should store the VM.
Confirm that the selected location has adequate free space and reliable access.

VM files include the configuration, virtual disk, and supporting files that define and store the VM. Changing the storage location changes where these files are kept, so select a dedicated folder rather than a temporary download directory.

Prefer a local, reliable volume with sufficient capacity for the virtual disk's future growth. Avoid locations that may disconnect, such as an intermittently available network share, unless your storage and VMware configuration explicitly support that use.

For related storage operations, see VMware virtual machine files, changing a VM's working directory, and moving a virtual machine.

Configure virtual disk capacity

A virtual disk is a file or set of files on the host that acts as the guest operating system's hard disk. Set its maximum capacity large enough for the guest OS, applications, updates, temporary files, and expected user data.

The selected size is a capacity limit. It is not necessarily the amount of host storage consumed immediately. For example, a virtual disk configured with a 60 GB maximum may initially occupy considerably less than 60 GB if it is not preallocated.

A dynamically expanding disk starts with relatively small host-side files and grows as the guest writes data, up to the configured maximum. This saves space initially, but the host must eventually have enough free space for the disk's growth and the rest of the VM files.

Preallocation means reserving the full configured capacity on the host when the disk is created. A preallocated disk can make storage usage predictable, but it consumes the full amount immediately. Follow the wizard's available disk-allocation option and choose based on your host storage plan.

Choose a single-file or split virtual disk

Single virtual disk file
Benefits: Keeps the disk in one large file and may simplify ordinary local storage.
Considerations: Copying or moving one very large file can be inconvenient, and the destination filesystem must support its size.
Recommended use: A VM that will remain on one compatible local storage volume.

Split virtual disk files
Benefits: Stores the virtual disk as multiple files, which can make copying or moving the VM more manageable.
Considerations: All parts must remain together and must be copied completely; local filesystem and storage practices still matter.
Recommended use: A portable training VM that may be transferred to another compatible computer or removable storage.

Dynamically expanding storage behavior
Benefits: Host-side disk files begin smaller and grow as guest data is written.
Considerations: Host storage can fill unexpectedly as the guest grows, even though the configured maximum is not reached.
Recommended use: Most general-purpose test VMs when adequate free space is monitored.

Single-file versus split-file storage is separate from dynamic expansion. A disk can use split files and still grow dynamically, depending on the options presented by the wizard.

Review and finish VM creation

Review the installation source and confirm that it points to the intended disc or ISO, or confirm that installation is deferred.
Check the guest OS family and version.
Verify the VM name and storage folder.
Check the maximum virtual disk capacity and the single-file or split-file choice.
Finish the wizard to create the VM definition and virtual disk.

After completion, VMware Player displays the new VM in its library or home screen. A VM created with deferred installation is not ready for normal use until bootable installation media is attached and the guest OS is installed.

Next step: manually install the guest operating system

For a blank VM, attach an installer disc or ISO through the VM's device settings. Then power on the VM and make sure it boots from the selected installation media. Follow the guest operating system's installer to partition the virtual disk, copy its files, and complete its initial configuration.

Continue with manually installing a guest operating system. For media-specific configuration, see adding a CD/DVD drive and what a virtual disk is.

Practical examples

Create a blank VM for a later Linux installation

Open Player > File > New Virtual Machine.
Choose the option to install the operating system later.
Select the appropriate Linux guest family, or choose Other if no suitable entry exists.
Name the VM and select a dedicated storage folder.
Set a maximum virtual disk capacity appropriate for the Linux OS, course software, updates, and data.
Choose split disk files if you expect to transfer the VM between computers.
Finish creation, then attach a Linux installation ISO before the first boot.

Create a VM from an existing ISO

Select the ISO-based installation source.
Browse to the downloaded installer image.
Confirm the guest OS family and version.
Configure the VM name, storage location, and virtual disk capacity.
Complete the wizard and proceed with the operating system installer when the VM starts.

Create a portable training VM

Use a dedicated folder on a volume with enough free space for current and future VM growth.
Choose disk capacity based on the expected course software and data, not only the base OS.
Use split disk files to simplify copying to removable media or another compatible computer.
Shut down the guest OS completely before moving or copying its VM files.

Troubleshooting

The desired guest operating system is not listed

VMware Player may not provide a preset for that operating system or version. Choose the closest supported guest family when appropriate, or select Other and continue with manual installation and configuration.

The VM starts but no installer appears

The VM may have been created with deferred installation, or the installer disc or ISO may not be connected. Attach a bootable disc or ISO in the VM's device settings, then restart or power on the VM and boot from that media.

The host runs out of storage

A dynamically expanding disk grows as the guest OS and its data consume space. Free host storage, relocate the powered-off VM to a larger volume, or plan a larger-capacity storage location before continuing.

The virtual disk is much smaller than its configured maximum

This is expected when the disk is dynamically expanding rather than fully preallocated. Monitor host free space because the disk can grow up to its configured maximum.

Moving the VM is inconvenient because its disk is very large

The disk may have been stored as one large file. For future portable VMs, choose the split-disk option during creation. Always move or copy the complete VM only after the guest has been fully shut down.

Exam-relevant notes

The host OS runs on the physical computer; the guest OS runs inside the VM.
An ISO image is a file representing optical installation media; it is not the installed guest OS.
Deferred installation creates a VM with an empty virtual disk and requires later bootable media.
The virtual disk size is a maximum capacity, not necessarily immediate host-space consumption.
Dynamically expanding disks grow as guest data is written, so host free space must be monitored.
Split disks use multiple files and can simplify copying, but every disk part must be kept together.

After the guest OS is installed, you can configure memory, processors, networking, removable devices, and other virtual hardware. Related topics include changing memory allocation, configuring NAT networking, and VMware Tools.