How to Install Ubuntu using VMware Workstation 17 in Windows 11

Both Windows 11 and macOS Sonoma are the latest operating systems for Windows and Mac users respectively But about Ubuntu Linux? For any reason, if you want to install and use Linux on your Windows PC or laptop, then why not install it. Meanwhile, if you have a PC or laptop running on Windows 11 and want to have and use the Ubuntu Linux operating system at the same time alongside your Windows 10 then you have come to the right place. In this guide, you are going to learn how to install Ubuntu using VMware Workstation 17 Pro in Windows 11.

To set up a virtual machine (VM) on your Windows PC, many people typically use software like Parallels Desktop or Oracle VirtualBox, or Player. To do this, VMware Workstation is a nice, free alternative. Plus, in just a few minutes, you can install and set it up.

Any operating system (OS) on your current system can be run by VMs. You can use VMware for free simulation, whether it’s for disaster recovery, code testing, or just some fun exploration. In order to install Ubuntu Linux via VirtualBox on Windows 10, you will need to download both the VMware Workstation and Ubuntu ISO Files.

So, without further ado, here’s how to install Ubuntu Linux on Windows 11 via VMware Workstation virtual machine:

Step 1. Installing VMware Workstation 17 Pro on Windows 11

VMware Workstation Pro is a host hypervisor that operates on x64 versions of Windows and Linux operating systems; it helps users to set up and use virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical computer concurrently with the host machine on x64 versions of Windows and Linux operating systems (x86-32 versions of previous releases were available). It is possible for each virtual machine to run its own operating system, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, BSD, and MS-DOS versions. VMware Workstation is being produced and distributed by VMware, Inc., a subsidiary of Dell Technology.

However, a free-of-charge version of VMware Workstation Player is available for non-commercial use. You require an operating system license to use proprietary programs such as Windows. Ready-made Linux VMs set up for various purposes are available from several outlets.

VMware Workstation facilitates the bridge of existing host network adapters and the exchange of physical disk drives and USB machines with a virtual machine. It can emulate disk drives; an ISO image file can be mounted as a virtual optical disk drive, and virtual disk drives can be mounted as.vmdk files. 

VMware Workstation Pro will immediately save the status of a virtual machine (“snapshot”). These snapshots can be restored later, essentially restoring the virtual machine to the saved state[5] as it was, and free of any post-snapshot damage to the VM.

VMware Workstation provides the ability to group several virtual machines into an inventory folder. The machines in such a folder can then be turned on and off as a single object, which is helpful for evaluating dynamic client-server environments.

•  First, download the latest version of VMware Workstation Pro and click the Download Now button under the Workstation 17 Pro for Windows. The download will begin automatically.

Download VMware Workstation Pro 17

• Navigate the folder where you have downloaded your VirtualBox and double-click on the downloaded “VMware Workstation” file to install it.
• Click Next.
• Check the box next to I accept the terms in the License Agreement and click Next and Next.
• Click Next and Next.
• At last, click Install.

Step 2. How to Download Ubuntu Linux ISO File for VMware Workstation 17 Pro

Apart from installing VirtualBox, you also need to download the Ubuntu Linux ISO file. From the Microsoft website. You can download it straight to your internal hard drive.

• Step 1. Go to the Download Ubuntu Desktop ISO download page.
• Step 2. Click the Download button next to the Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS which is the latest version.
• Step 3. Select the destination folder and click Save.

Download Ubuntu ISO

Step 3. Creating a VMware Workstation Virtual Machine

Once the Ubuntu ISO file is downloaded, open VMware Workstation and click on Create a New Virtual Machine.

Create a New Virtual Machine

A New Virtual Machine Wizard window should be displayed. Now, select Typical (recommended) and click on Next.

Typical (recommended)

Now, select I will install the operating system later and click on Next.

I will install the operating system later

Now, you have to select the operating system that you will be installed on the virtual machine. Select Linux from the Guest operating system section and Ubuntu 64-bit from the Version section. Once you’re done, click on Next.

Now, type in a name for the virtual machine. You may also type in a path or select a directory where the virtual machine data will be saved. Once you’re done, click on Next.

Now, type in the size of the virtual hard disk in GB (gigabyte). I will give the virtual machine a 20GB virtual hard disk. For better performance, select Store virtual disk as a single file and click on Next.

Now, click Customize Hardware to select the Ubuntu Linus ISO file, increase the RAM and storage.

Customize Hardware

Go to the Memory settings.  Here, 4GB of memory (RAM) is selected by default. If you want to change the memory, you can either type in the amount of memory (in MB/megabyte) you want for this virtual machine in the Memory for this virtual machine section. Or, you can click and drag the slider up and down to increase or decrease the memory for the virtual machine, respectively.

From the Processors settings, you can change the number of virtual processors, and the number of cores to assign to each virtual processor for this virtual machine.

Usually, the number of processors is set to 1, and the Number of cores per processor can be 1 or more depending on your need.

If you want to enable nested virtualization (virtualization inside virtual machines), then check the Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-v/RVI checkbox.

If you want to use performance tuning software in the virtual machine, check the Virtualize CPU performance counters checkbox. For this to work, you must have a compatible processor installed on your host computer.

At last, go to CD/DVD (SATA) settings and select Use ISO image file, and click Browse.

Use ISO image file

A file picker should be opened. Now, select the Ubuntu Linux ISO file that you’ve downloaded and click on Open.

select the Ubuntu Linux ISO file

The Ubuntu ISO file should be selected and click Close and then Finish.

Step 4. Installing Ubuntu on Windows 11 via VMware Workstation

Now, your virtual machine has been successfully created, and it is time to install Ubuntu Linux on VMware Workstation:

Click on your created new Ubuntu Linux virtual machine and select Power on this virtual machine.

Power on this virtual machine

Your VM will now boot into a live version of Ubuntu. Choose your language and select Install Ubuntu.

Install Ubuntu

Note: If you select Try Ubuntu, you can run the installer later by double-clicking Install Ubuntu on the desktop.

Choose your keyboard layout and select Continue.

keyboard layout

Choose Normal installation, then select Continue.

Normal installation

Select “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” and then select Install Now. Don’t worry. It won’t delete anything on your Windows operating system. You are using the virtual disk space of 15-20GB that we created in the previous steps. It won’t impact the real operating system. Just click on Continue.

Erase disk and install Ubuntu

Choose your time zone on the map, then select Continue.

Choose your time zone on the map

Set up your user account and select Continue. You are almost done. It may take 10–15 minutes to complete the installation.

Set up your user account

Ubuntu installer should start installing Ubuntu. It may take a while to complete.

At this point, Ubuntu should be installed on the virtual machine. Click on Restart Now.

Restart Now

Your virtual machine should restart the Ubuntu login screen. Login to Ubuntu with your password as usual.

Login to Ubuntu with your password as usual

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Ubuntu Linux on Windows 11 using VMware Workstation 17 Pro, and the Welcome screen will appear.

Install Ubuntu using VMware

Wrapping Up

That’s it. This is how you can install Ubuntu Linux on Windows 11 via VMware virtual machine. Meanwhile, the process is very easy, and it might seem a bit tricky while following the above-mentioned steps, but that’s not the case. If you faced any kind of problem, feel free to contact us in the comment section below.

Related Posts:

• How to Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox in Windows 10/11