Installing Ubuntu on VMware Workstation [Easiest Guide]

Auhona Islam
Written by Auhona Islam
Md. Ashakul Islam Sowad
Reviewed by Md. Ashakul Islam Sowad
Last updated: Dec 4, 2023

Ubuntu stands out as one of the most widely embraced and user-friendly Linux distributions. Whether you are an experienced Linux enthusiast or a newcomer eager to delve into the realm of open-source software, installing Ubuntu on VMware offers a practical means of immersing yourself in the operating system without the need for a complete installation on your physical hardware. This guide will lead you step by step through the procedure for setting up Ubuntu on VMware.

Table of Contents Expand

Key Takeaways

  • Getting familiar with the virtual machine.
  • Installing Ubuntu in VMware and creating a virtual machine.

Requirements

  • You must have VMware Workstation installed on your computer.
  • Your computer needs to own a 64-bit x86 processor with virtualization technology (VT-x or AMD-V) support.
  • You would require a computer with RAM of at least 2GB or more for a smooth performance.
  • You have to allocate at least 20 GB of disk space for your Ubuntu VM.

What is Ubuntu in Linux?

Ubuntu is a widely recognized Linux distribution celebrated for its user-friendly approach and robust features. Built upon the Debian operating system, Ubuntu boasts a GNOME-based desktop environment for an intuitive user experience. Its software management relies on the reliable APT package manager, simplifying application installation and updates.

Moreover, Ubuntu offers an extensive repository of free and open-source software, while Long-Term Support (LTS) releases ensure stability and security for extended periods. This versatile Linux distro, supported by an active community and Canonical Ltd., excels in desktop computing, server deployments, and cloud environments, embodying the spirit of open-source collaboration and accessibility.

What is VMware Workstation?

VMware Workstation is a virtualization software that allows users to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) on their desktop or laptop computers. Its key features include VM management, snapshots for easy backups and rollback, cloning for rapid VM replication, integration with host and guest OSes, networking configuration options, 3D graphics support, remote access capabilities, and broad compatibility with various guest operating systems, making it a versatile tool for developers, IT professionals, and testers.

Step-by-Step Process to Install Ubuntu on VMware

Installing Ubuntu on VMware is a practical way to run Ubuntu Linux alongside your existing operating system. VMware provides a user-friendly virtualization platform for this purpose. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the installation process of  Ubuntu on VMware. It involves two major tasks. One is downloading the Ubuntu iso Image, and another is creating a Virtual Machine on VMware of Ubuntu.

Step 01: Download Ubuntu ISO Image

Installing Ubuntu on VMware is a straightforward process. The very first step of this is to download the Ubuntu iso file on your computer. You can follow the steps below:

Steps to Follow >

➊  Begin by accessing the official Ubuntu website and click on the Download option. Shows the official Ubuntu website from where iso image file is downloaded ➋ After that, click on the Get Ubuntu Desktop. Click on the Get ubuntu Desktop option➌ Now hit the Download 23.04 option to download the Ubuntu ISO Image.  You can choose any other version of Ubuntu from there as you need. Click on the Download option to get the iso image file. In this location, you can observe the ISO image for Ubuntu-23.04, with 23.04 denoting the Ubuntu version. The downloaded Ubuntu iso image file in the file manager. Now keep this ISO image intact for later use.

Step 02: Create a Virtual Machine on VMware

VMware is a virtualization platform that allows you to run virtual machines on a computer. Creating a virtual machine(VM) using VMware is a valuable means of operating numerous operating systems on a single physical computer. Here’s a concise guide on how to create a virtual machine using VMware.

Steps to Follow >

➊ Open VMware and click on the option ‘Create a New Virtual Machine’. Alternatively, you can achieve this by accessing the “File” option located in the upper-left corner of VMware. In this scenario, simply follow the instructions as follows: File > New Virtual Machine. Click on Create new virtual machine. This will open a wizard, where check the first checkbox called Typical (recommended) and click on the Next button. Appears a virtual machine wizard ➋ Select the “I will install the operating system later” option and click Next.
Select the "I will install the operating system later" option➌ Now, Choose  Linux as a Guest Operating System, and after that select Ubuntu 64-bit in the version option.
select Linux on the guest operating system option ➍ At this moment, assign a Virtual Machine Name and hit the Next button. Give a preferred name to your virtual machine➎ To specify disk capacity, set 20 GB at least as the maximum disk size (recommended) and also select the option Store virtual desk as a single file. Then click on Next to move forward. Specify the disk capacity➏ In this instant, click Finish to create the virtual machine. click on "Finish" button to create the virtual machine.After completing all the steps mentioned above, a virtual machine will be created as below. Shows the created virtual machine on VMware Here you can see the newly created virtual machine named Ubuntu. Now it’s time to install Ubuntu on this created VM.

Step 03: Install Ubuntu on the Newly Created Virtual Machine

Once a virtual machine is established in VMware, the next step is to install Ubuntu on the newly created VM. To proceed with the installation of Ubuntu on VMware, adhere to the following outlined steps.

Steps to Follow >

➊ At first, go to the VM option and then click on the Settings option in the VMware. Go to settings in VMware ➋ Now, from the CD/DVD(SATA) option in Settings, choose the Use ISO image file option and click on the Browse option to select the downloaded ISO Image file of Ubuntu from the file manager. At the end, click on OK option.  Select the Ubuntu iso image file from the file managerHere you can see the Ubuntu ISO image file has been selected. The downloaded iso image file has been selected. ➌ Now, go to Memory settings. and set RAM for the virtual machine as you need. In my case, 4 GB of memory is selected by default and I kept it so. Set up the memory for virtual machine 4GB ➍ In the Processor settings, you can choose the number of processors you want to set for the virtual machine. Use 1 in the processor and 1 or more in the core processor. Now specify the processor and core processor for your virtual machine ➎ After all the settings modification is done, to start the virtual machine, click on the Power on this virtual machine option. Click on the power on this virtual machine The virtual machine Ubuntu has started from the ISO file. The virtual machine Ubuntu is opening Here, you can see the home of the Ubuntu virtual machine. Home of the Ubuntu on VMware has opened ➏ Select the language you prefer. Then click on Next. Select the language you prefer➐ It’s time to install Ubuntu and to do that check the first checkbox and click on Next. Click here to install Ubuntu on VMwareFrom this window, select your keyboard layout and go to Next. choose Keyboard layoutChoose the Use wired connection from the Connect to a Network Window and click on Next. Select the 'use wired connection'Choose the Normal installation option here. choose Normal installation option to install Ubuntu on VMware Select the Erase disk and install the Ubuntu option here. Choose the option Erase disk and install Ubuntu Finally, Click on the Install button to begin the Ubuntu installation. click on Install button to continue the installation After that choose your timezone and go to Next. Choose your timezone➑ To set up your account, provide your name, and computer’s name and pick a password at your convenience. Then click on the Next. Setup name, computer's name and password to set up your accountChoose the theme you prefer. I’ve selected the Dark theme here. choose your preferred theme Immediately you click on Next after the previous step, the Ubuntu installer starts installing Ubuntu. It may take some time to finish the installation. Starts installing Ubuntu on VMware ➒ As the installation completes, Click on the Restart Now button. After installation completion, click on Restart now After the restart of the VM, a Login screen will appear with the previously created username. Login screen appears with the user account's name➓ Click on the user name and then provide the user password as you’ve set before. Then press Enter. Enter your password to enter the virtual machineUpon successfully logging into Ubuntu, you will encounter a Ubuntu home screen resembling the one depicted below. Home page of the virtual machine Ubuntu Now explore Linux using this Ubuntu on VMware. Feel free to delve deeper into Linux with practical exploration, without any hesitation to experiment and try out new things. Any errors or issues that may arise won’t affect your primary operating system in any way, since the OS (ubuntu) is running as a virtual machine.

The benefits of Running Ubuntu on VMware

Virtual machines generally pertain to distinct operating system installations on a single computer, each allocated a portion of the computer’s available system resources. Utilizing VMware to operate Ubuntu serves as an exemplification of this concept. You can operate Linux by installing Ubuntu in a VM alongside your Windows PC. It’s feasible for multiple operating system installations to coexist concurrently on the same physical machine. Besides these, VMware helps to manage storage, security, networking, and resources.

In summary, running Ubuntu on VMware offers flexibility, scalability, and management advantages, making it a popular choice for various use cases including testing, development, and efficient resource utilization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Ubuntu on VMware Workstation is a straightforward and powerful process to experience the Ubuntu Linux distribution on your existing operating system. This step-by-step guide has provided you with the knowledge to create and configure a virtual machine, customize its settings, and perform a smooth Ubuntu installation, virtual machine, customize its settings and perform a smooth Ubuntu installation.

People Also Ask

Can I run Ubuntu in VM on Windows?

Yes, you can run Ubuntu in a virtual machine (VM) on Windows using virtualization software like VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V.

What is better Hyper-V or VirtualBox?

Hyper-V is generally considered a more robust and feature-rich virtualization solution, especially for enterprise environments, offering better performance and scalability, while VirtualBox is a user-friendly, open-source option suitable for smaller-scale or personal virtualization needs. The choice between the two depends on the scale of your virtualization project.

Which VM should I use for Ubuntu?

For running Ubuntu as a VM, VirtualBox is a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface for most personal or small-scale visualization needs. If the scale of the virtualization is high, VMware can be an option for Ubuntu.

Why install Linux on a Virtual Machine?

Installing Linux on a Virtual Machine (VM) allows you to run a Linux operating system alongside your primary OS, providing a safe and isolated environment for tasks like software development, learning Linux, or testing applications without affecting your main system.

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Auhona Islam

Auhona Islam is a dedicated professional with a background in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology. Graduating in 2023, Auhona is currently excelling in her role as a Linux content developer executive at SOFTEKO to provide a more straightforward route for Linux users. She aims to generate compelling materials for Linux users with her knowledge and skills. She holds her enthusiasm in the realm of Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Apart from these, she has a passion for playing instruments and singing. Read Full Bio

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