Run Ubuntu on Windows 7 with VMware Player

Running Ubuntu on Windows 7 with VMware Player

Do you wish to utilize Ubuntu Linux applications while maintaining the familiarity of Windows 7? With VMware Player, a complete Ubuntu installation can be achieved and seamlessly integrated with your Windows 7 system, all at no cost.

VMware Player simplifies the process of installing Ubuntu Linux as a virtual machine in just five steps. It then provides convenient access to Ubuntu programs directly from your desktop through Unity mode. The following guide details how to configure this on your computer.

Getting Started

Begin by downloading and installing VMware Player (link provided below). The download is free, but requires a registration process.

You might encounter prompts requesting driver installation; approve these requests. While not observed during our latest testing, such prompts have appeared in previous instances. Upon completing the installation of VMware Player, a computer restart will be necessary.

Install Ubuntu

After installing VMware Player and obtaining the Ubuntu download, you are prepared to set up Ubuntu. Launch VMware Player and select “Create a New Virtual Machine.”

You can install Ubuntu from a physical disk or directly from the ISO file available for download (link below). Utilizing the ISO file is the most straightforward method for running Ubuntu within VMware Player. However, if you possess an Ubuntu installation disk, you may choose that option instead. Once your installation media is selected, VMware Player will automatically recognize Ubuntu and suggest installation with Easy Install. Click “next” to proceed.

Now, enter your name, username, and password. All fields are mandatory.

Please note that the chosen username can only contain lowercase letters and numbers.

Additionally, the password must be at least eight characters in length.

Next, specify a name for your virtual machine and its storage location. Simply click “next” to accept the default settings.

Define the size of your virtual hard drive; the default is 20GB, but you can adjust this as needed. It’s important to understand that the full 20GB will not be immediately consumed. A clean install initially occupied only 3.6GB on our system, but this will increase with program installations and file storage.

That concludes the configuration! You can review your settings and modify them if desired, or click “Finish” to initiate the Ubuntu installation!

VMware Player will now install Ubuntu without further intervention. The window may display complex commands, but no further action is required from you during the installation process.

During installation, you may be prompted to download and install VMware tools for Linux. Select “Download” to automatically download and install the tools, though you may need to approve a User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

VMware will continue installing Ubuntu even while the tools are downloading. Once the installation is complete, you will be presented with the Ubuntu login screen. The complete installation process took approximately 30 minutes during our testing.

Select your username and enter your password to access Ubuntu.

Welcome to your Ubuntu desktop!

Installing VMware Tools

VMware Player typically attempts to automatically install the VMware tools during the initial setup. However, this process may sometimes fail. In our test, the tools failed to install due to a disconnected internet connection. Your experience may vary. If automatic installation fails, follow these steps. Be aware that this process can be complex, requiring precise input.

To install the tools, click “VM” and then select “Install VMware Tools” from the menu.

This will open a File Browser window. Double-click the VMwareTools icon, which resembles a box labeled “tar.gz”.

This will open the compressed file. Click the “Extract” button at the top of the window.

Choose a destination for the extracted files. Select “Desktop” on the left and then click “Extract”.

The extraction process will take a moment. Once complete, click “Close”.

Now, click the Applications menu at the top of the screen, select “Accessories”, and then click “Terminal”.

Enter the following command to access the extracted files:

cd ./Desktop/vmware-tools-distrib

Next, enter:

sudo bash

and enter your password when prompted. Note that the password will not be visible as you type; simply enter it and press Enter.

Now, install the VMware tools by entering:

./vmware-install.pl

Press Enter at each prompt to accept the default settings. The script will ask a total of five questions; simply press Enter at each one.

The script may then ask questions about documentation files. Press Enter again at each prompt.

The installation is now complete. You will be prompted to configure the tools; enter “yes” to automatically do so.

You may be asked to enable an experimental backup feature; we recommend entering “no” at this prompt.

The script will then request setup of the graphics configurations. Enter “yes” at the prompt. Your screen may flicker or go black momentarily during this process.

Finally, you will see a message confirming the installation is complete.

Restart Ubuntu by clicking your username in the top-right corner and selecting “Restart” from the menu.

After the virtual machine restarts, log in to Ubuntu as before, and your setup will be complete!

Integrate Ubuntu with Windows 7

You can already utilize all of Ubuntu’s tools and features directly from the Ubuntu desktop within VMware Player. However, to seamlessly integrate Ubuntu programs with Windows, activate Unity mode. Click “VM” and then “Unity Mode” in the VMware Player menu.

This will display an Ubuntu menu above your Windows 7 Start button!

By default, Ubuntu windows will have a border and the VMware logo.

To remove these, click “VM”, then “Settings”, select the “Options” tab, and uncheck the “Show borders” and “Show badges” boxes.

Now, the windows will appear as they do in a native Ubuntu installation.

You can run Ubuntu windows alongside Windows 7 windows, and copy/paste or drag-and-drop between them. Ubuntu program icons will also appear in the taskbar, just like standard Windows programs.

Access files within your Ubuntu virtual machine through the Ubuntu menu. Select “Other”, then choose “Computer” or “Home Folder”.

Conclusion

VMware Player provides a powerful method for running a complete Ubuntu installation within Windows 7. This functionality extends to all modern versions of Windows, including XP and Vista. In this tutorial, we used Ubuntu 9.10, but other recent editions should function similarly.

Links

Download Ubuntu

Download VMware Player 3