System Requirements for VMware Player
Check VMware Player host CPU, memory, storage, optical-drive, network, and operating-system requirements before creating a virtual machine.
What These Requirements Mean
VMware Player is a desktop virtualization application used to run virtual machines. A virtual machine is a software-defined computer that uses resources from a physical computer, such as its processor, memory, storage, optical drive, and network adapter.
The physical computer where VMware Player is installed is the host system. The operating system installed directly on that physical computer is the host operating system. An operating system installed inside a virtual machine is the guest operating system.
These requirements apply primarily to the host system. The guest operating system has its own CPU, memory, storage, graphics, and application requirements. Meeting a minimum requirement may allow VMware Player to install or start, but it does not guarantee good virtual-machine performance. A host must also retain enough resources for its own operating system and applications.
For background, see VMware Player overview, what is a virtual machine, and what is a guest operating system.
Host Hardware Requirements at a Glance
CPU Requirements
General Processor Requirements
The host must have a 64-bit x86 CPU. This means a processor based on the x86 instruction-set family that supports 64-bit execution. The processor must run at 1.3 GHz or faster and must support the LAHF/SAHF instructions in long mode.
Long mode is the processor operating mode used for 64-bit execution on x86 systems. LAHF and SAHF are CPU instructions that VMware Player requires to be available while the processor operates in that mode.
Additional Requirements for 64-Bit Guests
A 64-bit guest operating system has requirements beyond the general host CPU requirements. On an Intel host, the processor must support Intel VT-x, Intel's hardware virtualization technology. On an AMD host, the processor must provide the required segment-limit support in long mode.
Firmware settings vary by computer manufacturer. An Intel virtualization option may be named Intel Virtualization Technology, VT-x, or a similar term. Treat this as a BIOS or UEFI capability check rather than a VMware Player command.
BIOS or UEFI check:
1. Restart the physical host.
2. Open the firmware setup screen.
3. Locate the processor or security settings.
4. Check for an Intel VT-x or equivalent virtualization setting.
5. Enable it if supported and currently disabled.
6. Save the setting and restart the host.Do not confuse the general requirement for VMware Player with the extra requirement for a 64-bit guest. A host may satisfy the basic application requirement but still lack the processor capability needed by a particular 64-bit guest.
Memory Requirements
The minimum host-memory requirement is 1 GB of RAM. 2 GB or more is recommended for practical use. The host operating system and all running virtual machines share this physical memory.
For example, assigning 1 GB to a guest on a host with only 1 GB total leaves little or no memory for the host operating system. The result may be heavy swapping, slow application response, or an unresponsive host. Assign guest memory conservatively and leave enough RAM for the host and its normal applications.
Running Windows 7 Aero, the Windows 7 graphical experience, inside a virtual machine requires 3 GB of host memory. This is a host-memory requirement for that graphics use case, not a recommendation to give all 3 GB to the guest.
To change a virtual machine's allocation after creation, see change the memory allocation.
Hard-Disk Requirements
VMware Player supports host hard drives using IDE, SATA, or SCSI interfaces. IDE, SATA, and SCSI are storage interface types used to connect disks to a computer.
A guest operating system requires at least 1 GB of free host-disk space as a starting point. This baseline is not a realistic capacity plan for every guest. Actual space requirements vary significantly according to:
- The guest operating system and its installation method.
- Applications, updates, user files, and temporary files installed in the guest.
- The maximum and current size of the virtual disk.
- Snapshots and suspended-state files.
- Whether the virtual disk grows dynamically as data is added.
- Other files stored in the same host location.
Free host-disk space is storage capacity on the physical computer. It is different from memory allocated to a virtual machine. A guest can receive 2 GB of virtual memory while its virtual disk consumes many gigabytes of host storage.
Related storage tasks include adding a new virtual hard disk, configuring a virtual hard disk, and reviewing virtual machine files.
Optical Drives and ISO Images
Supported optical-drive interfaces include IDE, SCSI, and SATA. VMware Player supports CD-ROM and DVD drives, provided that the host operating system recognizes and can use the device.
An ISO image is a disk-image file that can act as virtual installation media. You can install a guest operating system in either of two common ways:
- Insert an installation CD or DVD into a supported physical host optical drive and connect that drive to the virtual machine.
- Select a downloaded ISO image as the virtual machine's installation media.
ISO installation is often convenient because it avoids physical media, but the file must be complete, accessible, and selected in the virtual-machine configuration. For physical media, see add a CD-ROM drive. For installation procedures, see manually install a guest operating system.
Network Requirements
VMware Player can use any Ethernet controller supported by the host operating system. An Ethernet controller is a host network adapter that the host operating system recognizes and can operate with a working driver.
The host must first be able to use the adapter and, when Internet access is required, must have a functioning network connection. Guest connectivity configuration is a separate matter. After host compatibility is confirmed, choose an appropriate virtual networking mode such as NAT, bridged networking, or host-only networking.
Learn more about virtual networking components, NAT networking, and bridged networking.
Supported Guest Operating Systems
A guest operating system is installed and run inside a virtual machine. VMware Player supports many guest families, including Windows desktop editions, Windows Server editions, Linux distributions, BSD systems, and other operating systems.
Compatibility information published for VMware Workstation is applicable when checking guest support for VMware Player. Always verify the intended guest release, because support can differ by version, architecture, and virtual hardware configuration.
Pre-Installation Compatibility Checklist
- Identify the physical host and the host operating system.
- Verify that the processor is a 64-bit x86 CPU running at 1.3 GHz or faster.
- Confirm LAHF/SAHF support in long mode.
- If planning a 64-bit guest, verify Intel VT-x or the applicable AMD segment-limit capability in long mode.
- Check installed host memory: 1 GB is the minimum, 2 GB or more is recommended, and 3 GB is required for the specified Windows 7 Aero use case.
- Plan memory for both the host operating system and the guest. Do not assign so much RAM to the guest that the host cannot remain responsive.
- Confirm that the host disk uses a supported IDE, SATA, or SCSI interface and has adequate free capacity.
- Reserve more than the 1 GB baseline when the guest will contain applications, updates, user data, snapshots, or a growing virtual disk.
- Confirm that a physical IDE, SCSI, or SATA CD/DVD drive works in the host, or obtain an accessible ISO image.
- Confirm that the host operating system recognizes the Ethernet controller and has a working network connection if the guest requires networking.
- Check that the intended guest operating system and release are supported.
Practical Planning Examples
Running a 32-Bit Linux Guest
Start with a host containing a 64-bit x86 processor at 1.3 GHz or faster, with the required LAHF/SAHF support. Confirm at least 1 GB of host memory, while treating 2 GB or more as the practical target. Reserve at least 1 GB of free host-disk space as a minimum starting point, then add capacity for the Linux installation, updates, applications, and user data. A downloaded Linux ISO image can serve as the installation media.
Planning a 64-Bit Windows Guest
Check the host processor before creating the virtual machine. An Intel host needs VT-x support; an AMD host needs the qualifying segment-limit support in long mode. Confirm that the selected Windows release is supported. Allocate memory and disk space only after leaving sufficient capacity for the host operating system and planned guest workload.
Using Windows 7 Aero
For Windows 7 Aero graphics in a virtual machine, identify 3 GB of host memory as the requirement. The guest must not consume all available memory: reserve enough RAM for the host to remain responsive while Aero and other guest applications are running.
Physical Optical Media Versus an ISO
Use a physical CD/DVD drive when the host operating system can access a supported IDE, SCSI, or SATA device. Alternatively, attach a valid ISO image to the virtual machine. Both approaches provide installation media; the first reads a physical disc, while the second reads a disk-image file.
Troubleshooting Requirement Problems
A 64-Bit Guest Option Is Unavailable or the Guest Will Not Start
<- Likely causes: Intel VT-x is unsupported or disabled, the AMD processor lacks the required segment-limit support in long mode, or the host processor does not satisfy the virtualization requirements.
- Resolution: Verify the processor model and features. On an Intel host, check BIOS or UEFI for the virtualization setting. If the host is incompatible, use a compatible host or select a guest configuration supported by the available processor.
The Host Becomes Slow or Unresponsive
- Likely causes: The host has only the 1 GB minimum, too much memory is assigned to the guest, or the guest graphics workload exceeds available capacity.
- Resolution: Increase host memory toward 2 GB or more, reduce the guest's assigned memory, and ensure that the 3 GB host-memory condition is met for the specified Windows 7 Aero use case.
The Guest Cannot Find the Installation Disc
- Likely causes: The host cannot use the selected optical drive, the media is not attached correctly, or no accessible ISO was selected.
- Resolution: Confirm host operating-system support for the device, select the correct IDE, SCSI, or SATA optical drive, or attach a valid ISO image instead.
The Guest Cannot Access the Network
- Likely causes: The host Ethernet controller is unsupported or lacks a working driver, or the host itself has no functioning network connection.
- Resolution: Confirm that the host operating system recognizes and can use the Ethernet controller. Repair the host connection before investigating guest networking settings.
The Virtual Machine Cannot Be Created or Runs Out of Storage
- Likely causes: The host disk lacks sufficient free capacity, or the guest and virtual disk need more than the 1 GB baseline.
- Resolution: Free host-disk space or select a larger storage location. Estimate capacity from the guest operating system, applications, snapshots, and expected virtual-disk growth.
Key Exam Notes
- The host system is the physical computer; the guest operating system runs inside a virtual machine.
- VMware Player requires a 64-bit x86 CPU at 1.3 GHz or faster with LAHF/SAHF support in long mode.
- 64-bit guests require additional Intel VT-x or qualifying AMD long-mode capability.
- Host memory is shared by the host operating system and its virtual machines: 1 GB is minimum, 2 GB or more is recommended, and 3 GB is required for the specified Windows 7 Aero use case.
- Supported host storage interfaces are IDE, SATA, and SCSI. Guest disk needs usually exceed the 1 GB baseline.
- Supported optical media includes CD-ROM, DVD, and ISO image files.
- Guest networking depends first on a host-supported, working Ethernet controller; virtual network mode is configured separately.
- Guest compatibility must be checked for the exact operating system release and architecture. VMware Workstation compatibility information can be used when checking VMware Player support.